Slow passage to Blackrock fails to hinder Fast Buck

THE big fleet had a slow passage in the annual race from Cobh to Blackrock as light winds and frequent rain showers arrived instead of the expected very fresh south easterlies. Indeed the race even had to be shortened to a finish-line a little east of Blackrock Castle; a wise decision with the trip across the two-and-a-half mile stretch of Lough Mahon’s open waters very slow.

But it took nothing from a highly successful day and the partying and prizegiving at Blackrock was as hectic as ever. The John McCarthy Motorpoint-sponsored race was also the first in the Cove SC September League and it was good to see such active on-water participation by the sponsors who chartered John O’Regan’s new Sir Henry and motored up river.

Hit of the day were the Murphys, John and Fiona, who mastered everyone in Class 2 and won under both handicaps on Fast Buck. Dougie Kavanagh’s Flying Fish pushed them hard, however, only to be pushed into second in both IRC and Echo.