The eagerly anticipated last days racing in 2013 Kanoodle Open Frostbite saw a great turnout despite the fact the All Blacks were due to take on Ireland at the same time as 1st gun. Apart from the great racing, the Kanoodle guys were due down to provide their hot and tasty oriental food after racing. It was great to see another GP14 Blessington. Was it for the racing or the Kanoodle? GP14 National Champion Ger Owens also made an appearance as stand-in crew for Graham Elmes. Check out Day 5 photos and report.
However with a forecast of only 6-7 knots, the wind gods were not looking favorable forcing PRO Scorie Walls into a rib to check out conditions further out in the bay. With boats holding off launch till after the trip to the bay, it looked unlikely that racing would start on time, which also meant it was unlikely we would get more than scheduled 2 races in.
THe PRO was soon back on the committee boat and radioed for the fleet to launch. It seemed there might be enough breeze to get a race in. The fleet launched but with only 4-5 knots of breeze the fleet struggled against the incoming tide to made much progress out to the committee boat. By this stage the wind had again dropped to less than 2 knots and was looking bleak for anything better in the near future. With that PRO made the call to send the fleet home and give them a chance to catch some of the rugby. Its a while since I have seen such vigorous paddling for many a year.
All ashore, the fleet took to the Club house to catch the remainder of what was turning out to be an astonishing game between Ireland and the All Black. As boats came off the water, no one could believe the score being relayed from the shore. With tension and excitement, de-rigging was left till after the game. Such excitement till those fateful last 28 seconds. Such disappointment. At least there was a prize-giving and of course the Kanoodle guys were on their way.
GP14: 1st McCarthy/Bracken (CYBC), 2nd Boyle/Lawless (SDC), Elmes/Various (SDC)
IDRA14: 1st Carr/McCormick (SDC), 2nd Harrison/Johnston (DMYC)
Mirror: 1st Dickson/McMahon/Johnston (SDC), 2nd McLoughlin/Doyle (SDC)
Laser 4.7: 1st D Kelly (SDC), 2nd A Hynes (SDC), 3rd S White (SDC)
[whohit]-Kanoodle Frostbite Day 6-[/whohit]