08 May Heineken Round Island Windsurfing Race Sat May 10th 2014
The first “Round Cobh Island” – A practice run was held in early April ’83 in a northerly gale with members of BBC competing and on the 23rd of April in 1983 a keen group of hardy boardsailors embarked on the 15 mile course around Cobh (Great) Island. The course went westabout (clockwise) in SW 4-5. The race was a great battle at the front with the two main conternders being Gordon Maguire from Sutton in Dublin (now a professional sailor in Sydney in Australia) and the late Glen McIlwraithe from Cork. Eventually the Corkman took line honours by 20 seconds and finished the 15 mile course in an amazing time of 2 hours and 2 minutes – averaging nearly 7.5 knots! The battle for third place was won by Melvyn McIlwraithe from Peter Crowley with future winner Vince Geary finishing 5th. The turnout was from all over Ireland with nearly 50 boardsailors taking part
This year 2014 as part of the SailCork 40 celebrations, SailCork are reviving this famous race – dust down your board and take part in this great event. SailCork is hoping to see windsurfers from all over Ireland competing and hopes to see the fleet accompanied by various other types of small craft. SailCork are organising a special day sail aboard Holy Grounder for keen spectators and will also have a large RIB offering a “Taste of Powerboating” ….and a “Taste of Dinghy Sailing” aboard our Raider 18’s will afford an opportunity to see the racers in action.
Race start time flexible to take advantage of weather conditions – tide will be favourable for full course.
Course: Start Cuskinny Bay (1M east of Cobh) Great Island to starboard (Round the island westabout or clockwise) Finish: Cuskinny Bay. The course requires the negotiation of the Railway Bridge at the Fota Channel and Belvelly Bridge (road bridge). The course also passes beneath some telegraph and electricity wires – there is plenty of safe clearance for windsurfers – there is NOT safe clearance for larger sailing dinghies.
11:30 Sign in and briefing at Cuskinny Beach (Note change in start venue from previous races)
12:00 Race Briefing
12:05 to 13:30 Start at Cuskinny (exact time will be announced at briefing – more wind – earlier start.)
15:45 to 17:00 Finish at Cuskinny
Shower, Sauna, Steamroom at Coral Leisure Centre, special price €4.
Social Programme – Round Cobh Island 2014
17:30 – Relax and chat over a pint of Heineken!
18:00 Prizegiving (at the famous Roaring Donkey Pub in Cobh)
19:00 Barbecue
20:00 Fun and games!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Entry Requirements:
Entry fee for the event will be €25 – this will include a Bar B Q at the Roaring Donkey Pub in Cobh. Booking forms are available from the SailCork office (click link for website). Ring Jo on 021 4811237. Booking is essential, no entry no race !
Other small craft (without masts!) are welcome to accompany the fleet around the island but please register with SailCork. Anybody who has helped with safety boats for windsurfing events in the past please contact SailCork – they would love to have you on board.