Volvo October Series at Galway Bay Sailing Club - Day 3

The 1720 'Peugeot Motorcycles' wins both races on day three of the Volvo October Series at Galway Bay © Aodhán Fitzgerald

Perfect conditions greeted the 13 boat fleet for Day three of the Volvo October league at Galway Bay Sailing Club on Sunday. A warm force 3-4 southerly wind and flat seas enabled Race Officers Dave Vinnell and Brendan Dunne to give the fleet two back to back short races.

The first race was a triangular course, which provided many exciting mark roundings for the fleet. First around the weather mark was Brendan Mc Inerney's new JS 9000 sportsboat which unfortunately hooked the windward mark using its bulb keel. Martin Breen's "That's Life!" looked like establishing a good early lead followed by "Peugeot Motocycles" when both realised they were sailing to the wrong gybe mark.

A quick recovery by "Peugeot" allowed them to get back in contention. "That's Life!" however broke their spinnaker pole while trying to recover and eventually retired.

Tommy Smith's "Catalpa" had established a good lead at this stage, with "Quelle Surpise" looking good close behind despite Henry Luptons absence. However an increase in wind speed saw the two sports boats establish a lead on the water with Brendan McInerney's JS 9000 taking line honours followed by "Peugeot" and "Catalpa". Kevin Heery's "White Dolphin" also did well in the heavier conditions.

The second race was a windward-leeward course which saw "Peugeot" establish an early lead from "Catalpa" and Glen Cahill's new J109 "Joi de Vie".

"That's Life!" with their splinted spinnaker pole were showing good pace until they snagged a pot buoy at the leeward mark. "Peugeot Motocycles" pace downwind allowed them to remain in the lead on the water and were followed closely by "Catalpa" and "Joi de Vie".

Results after Day 3: