Mullaghmore regatta 2009 - What a weekend!
- an article by Auriel Robinson on ‘Jacko

How hard it was to return to the mundane routine of sitting behind a desk and computer screen on  a Monday morning after three days of great sailing, being washed right through with clean atlantic salt water after having your soul cleansed by the elements in one of the most beautiful parts of Ireland. Mullaghmore Sailing Club nestled in under a grassy bank by the foreshore, hidden away from all traffic, madness of everyday busy life and stresses certainly knows how to put on a good show when it comes to sailing regattas! Twice as many boats this year competing, coming from all directions, Rosses(rivals!) and Killybegs, Donegal and Dun Loaghaire .

Friday evening, 1st race was to start at 7.30pm... 7pm, crews with bags packed heading down to the pontoon to board their boats from rib taxis. The sun was shining, the wind, a nice south easterly and the blue waters rippling.. the fleet was divided in two, White Sails and Spinnaker...30 minutes later, each team close to the start line practicing their jibes and tacks and getting familiar with the waters. The committee boat counted  down, 5 minutes ...then ‘blue peter’ ..the boats dodged one another all fighting for the best place to cross the line..Bang, were away, on a nice long tack up to Centre Marker  ‘Ready abouts’ and Lee Hoos’ all the way, to Mermaid, then North, then back to Centre, then Head, then Finish rounding every mark as carefully and tactfully as possible, each move crucial in the precision of timing tactics.

The next morning, Benbulben stood proudly behind us, green fields, black cliffs and blue green waters made the perfect picture. I felt privileged to be sailing in such a beautiful place. Starter gun went off 12 Midday.  The Spinnaker boats flew downwind towards centre marker and beyond..White Sails sailing steadily behind, each going their own course after broad reach and tacking back towards the squawly head of Mullaghmore. Another afternoon race followed, the wind dropped towards the end and stomachs were rumbling after hours of fun on the water.. juicy bbqd steaks and homemade salads were waiting for us at the clubhouse only to be accompanied by wine, rum and spirits later in the Pier Hotel!  The rain poured that night and the wind picked up, this time coming from the south west in a gale force..I don’t think anyone envisaged what was about to come...

Sunday 11am: White chop across the water, howling wind, grey sky, rolling clouds and the odd peak of sun.. would the race really go ahead in this? A force 5? Some crews hesitated and decided not to go out!  Others took to the helm excitedly, but with an air of caution.. this would be the greatest test of endurance...who could endure a force 5, 20 knots wind and maintain good position in a race at the same time? With about 10 boats out ready to go, the starter gun went off, we blasted North, keel practically out of the water, sails panned out, stretched to their limits, each crews weight crucial to keeping the boat stable, leaning over the rails with their backs to a vertical drop to oblivion..The skipper, calm and controlled, watching every second for an unwelcome gust and ugly sqawl that would try to turn us over. This wind had to mercy. My sun glasses were so spattered by rain, I couldn’t see further than the foggy lens. Wind, rain and sea battered us as we endured our course, jibs ripped, spinnakers wrapped, masts bent, some boats being forced to surrender to this unmerciful gale. I felt so alive. I didn’t want it to end..

 Thanks to John Paysden and Martin Christie for introducing me to Mullaghmore Sailing Club and to my crew and boat owners, Caroline and Maurice Timony. Heres to many more happy sailing days!