It wasn’t just like winter, It was winter on the pier yesterday, Wednesday 5th of August. Nevertheless, the racing went ahead with fourteen intermediates swimming for the Chairman’s cup. this was a tough swim about 400 meters long, and was made tougher by the seal swimming around a couple of the young swimmers. 1st Sadbh Dolan, 2nd Lauren Ryan, 3rd Daragh Cahill.
The seniors had a short course of about 750 meters around the harbour. 1st Dave Gillespe, 2nd Tommy Moran, 3rd Bren Conway.
The sun was actually shining for the racing on Sunday morning 9th August. The Juniors were first in the water with the sprints.
Under 6 girls; 1st Mei Wilson, 2nd Keelin Mitchell.
Under 8 boys; 1st Darragh Bouchier, 2nd Andriy Kravchencko, 3rd David Johnston.
Under 8 girls; Niamh Waters, 2nd Caoimhe Doherty, 3rd Evie Woods. Under 10 girls; 1st Emma Waters, 2nd Aine Vize, 3rd Sienna Brennan.
Under 10 boys Darragh Carey, 2nd Charlie Brennan, 3rd Brian Johnston.
Under 12 girls; 1st Roisin Vize, 2nd Kirsty Dunne, 3rd Robyn Johnston.
Under 12 boys; 1stNathan O’Connor, 2nd Chris Bouchier.
Next up was the Junior challenge with sixteen swimmers competing; 1st Sadhbh Drennan, 2nd Aine Vize, 3rd Kirsty Dunne.
The Intermediates were swimming for the Mark Dunne memorial cup, twenty young swimmers swam 500 meters in a very exciting race with a close finish; 1st Sadhbh Dolan, 2nd Nathan O’Connor,3rd Hal Fitzgerald.
The Youths were swimming for a new cup kindly sponsored by Sophisticuts hair salon. This was another very exciting race with seventeen young swimmers competing over a course 900 meters long. Conor McInerney had a fantastic swim, taking the lead with 150 meters to go, he held on despite strong challenge from the two Emma’s, to win by a hand, with Emma Smith in second, and Emma Kristensen in third place.
Congratulations have to go to Emma Smith, who finished first in the Ladies Open Sea race on Sunday 2nd August. Not only was it Emma’s first open, but she was also the youngest swimmer in the race.
The seniors were swimming for the Brennan cup, eighty swimmers swam 900 meters in this race; Major Brennan was on hand to present the prizes to; 1st Pricilla Bennet, 2nd Ronan Conway, 3rd Sarah Doyle.
Races start this week on Wednesday 12th August with the Black Castle swim for the Cullen Cup and the P V Reilly cup. The club Vartry race, kindly sponsored by the Fitzpatrick family, is on Saturday 15th August at 12 noon. Racing for Sunday 12th July starts at 10.15am Junior Sprints, 10.30am Junior Challenge, 11am Intermediate –Earls cup, 11am Youths, and 12 noon – John Flood Bay Relay