Sailors tossed overboard to put crews to the test

International Atlantic Challenge teams tossed their crewmen into the water yesterday as part of one of the most popular tests of the event.

The Man Overboard race requires each crew to lose a teammate while racing under sail before turning back to recover them under oar.

Despite abysmal weather and poor visibility in Bantry Bay, crowds continue to gather for a diverse range of events.

The signature Oars and Sails test took place yesterday, with teams rowing out on a three-mile course before erecting sails to complete the circuit. The changeover from oar to sail will be one of the most spectacular sights of the eight day challenge.

Due to the inclement weather, the Esprit test, one of the signature challenges, was cancelled yesterday but will be held later this week.

“We’ve had to make several changes to the water programme because of the weather but as there are nine different events we can chop and change them around,” said Eddie Wiseman, part of the local organising committee.

“The Man Overboard is a great crowdpleaser and despite the mist, it drew plenty of spectators.”

The Irish crew, which is Bantry-based, were leading the field after five races yesterday, three points ahead of their closest rivals from the North, followed by Russia, Great Britain, and Quebec.

The Irish crew had clocked up just seven penalties as competitive events drew to a close yesterday, while teams from Italy, Indonesia, and France hover around the 50 mark.

Away from the main action, teams are taking part in currach racing, windsurfing, junior team sailing events, and raft races.

Meanwhile, back on dry land, fringe events continue in the build up to Saturday’s Pirate Flotilla as part of the closing schedule.

Vessels bedecked with Jolly Rogers will assemble at the Abbey Slipway in the Inner Harbour at noon and set sail towards Bantry town.

The flotilla of pirates will be joined by the 16 international crews before a mock battle to take the town’s Wolfe Tone Square ensues, with pirates fighting in the streets and shanty singers on street corners.

Culinary delights will form part of the Bantry Bay Food Festival which coincides with the culmination of Atlantic Challenge 2012.

Crews and supporting crowds will be sent home fully replenished with samples of the food culture of the Bantry Bay area, seafood, spit-roast lamb and pork, food stalls, and cookery demonstrations.

Fifteen bands have been lined up to entertain the crowds at the open-air festival epicentre — the square plaza — with a massive céilí taking place on Friday when the Céilí All-stars kick off at 8pm.

Salsa, funk, folk, and rock acts form part of the action to continue all weekend.

“The big build-up is for the pirate flotilla; we are expecting huge crowds again this weekend, it’s going to be a fantastic spectacle,” Mr Wiseman added.