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Alliance brings 'Nora' back to Howth
Author: Noel Davidson Posted on: 25/6/08 Print Version


Photos courtesy of Giles Fraser

Vincent Gaffney and the crew of his Albin Express Alliance secured both the North West Offshore Racing Association (NORA) title and the West of Ireland Offshore Racing Association (WIORA) title on 18th to 21st June 2008.

The event was held in the picturesque setting of Clifden bay with racing for Classes 1, 2, 3 and White Sails Class 4.

Race Officer Alan Crosbie and his team ran a great combination of Windward - Leeward, Triangle and Coastal Races for all classes which gave very tight racing throughout.

 
Photo Alliance Crew
L-R backrow: Noel Davidson, Vincent Gaffney & Garret May;
L-R frontrow: Suzanne Carroll & Aideen O'Kelly

In Class 1 Sligo X332 Roxanne took honours from two J109's; Catalpa and Joie de Vie. She looked to have one hand on the overall trophy scoring 3 first places and 3 second places.

Also, putting one hand firmly on the overall trophy was the Class 2 boat Ruthless, Conor Rohan's Corby 26 scoring 3 first places and 2 second places ahead of two Sigma 33's - Treyona & Boojum but it was Vincent Gaffney who firmly grasped the cup and did not let go with 5 first places and 1 second place to secure the Class 3 win ahead of local boat Hallmark and Galway boat RhoCodar and win the overall WIORA / NORA titles.

 
Vincent said on his return from Clifden ...

"We were pushed hard this year but we are delighted with our win.
I would like to thank my crew of Garret May, Noel Davidson, Suzanne Carroll and Aideen O'Kelly who sailed faultlessly throughout the week.
We are honoured to bring both the WIORA & NORA titles back to Howth. We look forward to Fenit 2009."



WIORA 2009 will take place in Fenit, Co. Kerry in conjunction with the ICRA National Championships.

Alliance