WIORA 2007 - A GREAT SUCCESS

Clifden Boat Club, its committee and members would like to thank everyone who took part in, helped with, and sponsored WIORA 2007 making it such a great event.

After suffering two days of bad weather WIORA 2007 finally took off to become a resounding success. With some of the most interesting close-quarter sailing ever seen and great sailing tactics the results were never a certainty.

Finally, after all the preparation, the meetings and phone calls, WIORA 2007 was ready to go, with 45 boats moored in Clifden Bay and more reportedly on their way it looked as if this would be the Wednesday to beat all in Clifden Bay. Until the weather decided differently.

Wednesday dawned a dank and miserable day with winds gusting to forty knots and heavy showers tearing in from the northwest. Waiting patiently around the marquee sailors clung to a vain hope that the winds would, by some miracle, drop away and that racing would be able to start at some stage during the day. To everyones dismay the "A" and "P" flags were hoisted and that was it for the day. There really was no doubt about it, the weather was horrible.

Thursday dawned with no more to recommend itself. Again hopes rose as the comittee boat headed out for a look, but watching her throwing spray right over her wheelhouse it was obvious what the conclusion was likely to be ... Up with the "A" and "P" again. Although the crowd of sailors were dissapointed, all remained in good form, some retired to the clubhouse and some repaired to the many fine bars in Clifden town to discuss tactics, the weather and have the odd pint.

Everyone turned up early on Friday, the atmosphere was tense, and crews stood outside watching the sea as they tried to estimate the wind speed. The comittee boat went out again to look the conditions, returning with the news that the racing would be postponed for two hours. Suddenly the news came that a start would be made, and crew dissapeared out to the boats. There was no running, or undue haste as the water taxis brought people to their craft, but it happened very quickly and soon a rattling of sails announced preparation to do battle.

What followed was two days of superb sailing, great racing and the best of Craic.

Giles Fraser, Clifden Boat Club.