Volvo October Series at Galway Bay Sailing Club - Day 5

Glen Cahill's Joie De Vie on day 5 of the Volvo October Series at Galway Bay © Dave Vinnell

The final day of racing in the Volvo October league saw 11 boats competing. Whilst Peugeot Motocycles had secured first place overall under IRC and ECHO handicap, three boats were still competing for 2nd and 3rd places.

After an excellent start in the strong breeze Martin Breen's That's Life! was followed closely by Peugeot Motocycles. A late start for Catalpa (Tommy Smyth) saw them working hard to chase Glen Cahill's Joie De Vie and the Heskin and Grealish clan on Now What!. The stronger wind on the bay saw Peugeot with making early gains.

After Rounding the Leveret Lighthouse and a stiff beat to Cockle Rock it was neck and neck on the water for second place, A close port-starboard encounter between Catalpa and That?s Life! saw Catalpa making some penalty turns and apparently securing second place for Thats Life!. After a breezy reach to Leverets which saw no-one summing up the courage to fly spinnakers the fleet beat back up through rain and hail squalls to cockle rock.

That's Life! suffered an attack of confusion at this point and sailed for the club line and omitting the final two legs (this confusion has been put down to an overworked skipper!). This allowed Catalpa despite being beaten into 4th place by sistership Joie De Vie and Now what! to take second place in the series overall. Consistent results from Silver Foam saw them take second on Echo with Quelle Surprise taking second.

Overall Results: