Five Galway sailing clubs will take part in Europe’s oldest and longest inland water sailing race this Saturday, 25 June.
The Cong to Galway Sailing Race will feature Galway Hooker Sailing Club, Galway City Sailing Club, Corrib Rowing & Yachting Club, Galway Bay Sailing Club and Spiddal Sailing Club.
Four hookers from Galway Hooker Sailing Club will take to the waters on Saturday, with the traditional vessels lining up alongside modern dinghies in the historic race.
The course – about 30 nautical miles in total – follows the old steamer route from Lisloughrey pier near Cong in Mayo to Galway city. The race start is near Ashford Castle at the northern end of the lake.
It is raced as two legs with the first leg finishing at Kilbeg, where competitors will take a break for lunch and refreshments.
The second leg is via a narrower channel in the lower lake and on to the river, finishing at Corrib Village.
Spectators are invited to watch this race and there are many viewing points along the shores.
Some of the best viewing points are along the river by Dangan and the Quincentennial Bridge where audiences will be able to see many of the sailing dinghies having to capsize to fit under the bridge.
The hookers must also be ready to drop their masts and hoist them again once they are under the bridge.
