BMW Round Ireland and Festival
Well, they said it couldn't be done - but WSC Committee, Race organisation and members in 2006 pulled out all the stops and with the help of our excellent sponsors and supporters, this years BMW Round Ireland Race and Festival was a huge success both on and off the water. We provided 4 days of pre-race
entertainment and our 39 competitor boats enjoyed our famous post race hospitality, with numerous complimentary comments received by the Race Office as well as very positive press comments. Despite the light winds, the 2006 race was considered very challenging and the smaller and older boats held their own against the best that money can buy. A photo montage and report on events will follow shortly.
The winners in our "Guess the finish time" (4d 4h 57m 30s) were
1. Paul Hennessy, WSC - Marriot Druids Glen Voucher - 2 nights B&B + Dinner
2. Stephen Duffy, Wicklow - South East Cruising School Voucher - €200
3. Paddy O Toole, Wicklow - Rugatinos Voucher - meal for 2
4. Val Foley, WSC - Casa Pepe Voucher - meal for 2
5. Zoe Butterworth, WSC - Martsworth - Laundry Basket
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Wicklow / Porthmadog Town Twinning Wicklow Sailing Club and Madoc Yacht Club can be very proud that the 1st official steps have now been taken to twin the 2 towns. Both clubs through their long association and twinning c.20 years ago, have contributed greatly to links that have led to this landmark occasion. The late Finbar Shine (WSC) and Dr John Jones Morris (MYC) were the major players in this relationship in its early years and Dr John was very active in the current process. On Saturday 10th June 2006, both Councils signed the Twinning Charter in Porthmadog, with the reciprocal signing scheduled for September in Wicklow. We will play a significant part in the festivities, by hosting a reception in WSC on Friday 1st September for the Town Councillors of both Wicklow and Portmadoc, as well as for the sailors from Madoc Y C. On Saturday 2nd, our Welsh visitors will be the guests of Wicklow Town Council, enjoying a short tour of the County, Wicklow Gaol and Urban Offices prior to the Official Twinning ceremony. A concert in their honour in Fatima Hall that evening will precede the Official Twinning Dinner. |
New look boat park takes shape
After years of stones in their shoes/wheels, members can now look forward to a brand new concreted surface for their dinghies and cruisers, thanks in the main to Gerry Haughton and Anthony O Rourke and their dedicated helpers/advisers. Club spirit and manpower personified. Well done to all.
WSC Ramblers
Sherpa Desmond will be gathering the troops for another assault on the Wicklow hills shortly - watch this space or e-mail him at kevindesmond@eircom.net - walkers should always bring suitable clothing and footwear, letting someone know their plans.
WSC Annual visit to Portmadoc
In this historic year for both towns, WSC paid its annual visit with 6 boats making the trip across the pond. Now that the twinning is finally happening - (in 2 legs / Portmadoc June 12th and Wicklow Sep 2nd) - both sailing clubs can be very proud that their long association has led to this broadening into the respective communities. The boats and skippers that made it over were / Summerwind - Paul Sinnott, Zuga - Jim Vickers, Breezer - Ivan Alcorn, Egyptian Reggae - Michael Mulvihill, Saltee Dog - Charlie Kavanagh, and Spellbound - Ken McKeon.
The visit was blessed with beautiful weather and the travelling sailors were treated by MYC members to a visit to the Llyn peninsula that sweeps down to Bardsey Sound - taking in the delights of the Rivals stonecutters village, Ty Gogh on Porth Dinllyn beach and down to Aberdaron for a snack before climbing Mynnyd Mawr overlooking the spectacular Sound. That evening, Chris Hayward entertained us with his unique violophone, to round off yet another fabulous visit with our congenial "twins".
Kevin Desmond, President of WSC, made a presentation to Madoc YC of a framed copy of the 1606 "Inquisition" that created the boundaries of what we now know as County Wicklow , the 400th anniversary of which we are currently celebrating. Lets hope the descendants of both clubs members can one day celebrate similar landmarks in this valuable relationship. Maybe our Port Company can follow the lead of Portmadoc Harbour and investigate installing pontoons. Hwyl.
Junior Training
Congratulations to Fiona Butterworth and Sean Flood and our Junior Training Committee on a very well attended and run event over 3 weeks in August this year. The future of sailing is bright for Wicklow with this enthusiastic bunch of young folk, who are learning new sailing and people skills in this well supervised environment. The ISA Training Scheme has been running for nearly 30 years and its great to see it continuing to prosper on our own doorstep. John Headley was one of the early driving forces and is still active in Club affairs in his 80's, an example to us all - young and older.
Dinghy News
Our esteemed chairman of the Dinghy committee, Brian Flahive, had the honour of crewing on the top Fireball in this years Ulster Championships 27/278 May. Well done, Brian.
Jason Moran, Charlie Butterworth and more of our new WSC crop of up and coming young sailors took part in the Bray SC Leinster Championships 26/27th Aug, doing very well against a large fleet of competitive sailors, with a 2nd and 4th overall. Brian Flahive showed his versatility by winning in the RS200 fleet, a boat he has very little experience with.
Next WSC Committee meeting:- Friday 15th Sept. 8.30pm sharp
Would our members like to be able to read abridged reports of meetings in a members private site? Replies or other views/opinions/information to the editor please.
WSC success in the Hamble
Our "UK correspondent" Anne Hughes sends us this snippet.
KEY YACHTING, skippered by Shane Hughes (member Wicklow Sailing Club) won the English National Championships with 4 straight wins out of 6.
Fantastic photos of stormy conditions plus text of 1720 English Nationals at Hamble last week... http://yachtsandyachting.com/news/?article=21595 Website worth a visit to see the weather conditions for the event.
Yacht Tiamat (Tim Costello) had a resounding success at the recent UK IRC Championships - she won 7 out of 8 races with a 2nd to discard. Designed by former member Mark Mills, who lives in Wicklow and crewed by Wicklow members Kevin Johnson and Barry Byrne, our Junior Training has come good yet again. Wicklow Sailing Club is making its mark on the racing world apart from our Round Ireland race.