There were two punt races last night. Each one was remarkable.
Four boats raced comprising:
Messrs Louden, O Kane and Lynch
Messrs Doherty, Doherty and Harrigan
Messrs, Gallagher, Gallagher and McCauley
Messrs, Hockley, Lynch and Hutton
The course was in Culmore Bay, starting from a mark near the slipway up to Harts, a mark formerly known as McKennas, Powerstation and through the line X2. F2 W.
The first race was won by Hockley, Lynch and Hutton who were evidently not impeded by Hutton’s first appearance in a Punt.
The second race the wind droped after lap 1. Gallagher, Gallagher and McCauley were leading but went wide at Harts and got caught by the tide. Doherty, Doherty and Harrigan had taken a route over by the shore and came up next but tacked early and collided with the mark. Louden, O Kane and Lynch came from behind and glided around successfully. Hockley, Lynch and Hutton tried several plans of attack, each approach foiled by the tide. A very wide approach eventually brought Gallagher’s boat around. Doherty’s and Hockley’s boat retired leaving just Gallagher’s and Louden’s boats.
They went to the Powerstation without incident. Louden went up river to the old jetty before trying to cross the tide in the channel. They made it across but ran aground near the slipway. A lesser known sailing rule was applied at this stage. You can get out of your boat and push, so long as the push is not forward or progressing toward the line. They got out and pushed away again and made it over the line on the second attempt.
It was getting dark!
Gallagher, Gallagher and McCauley were still on the other side of the channel. They crossed over but were heading for a hard stop on the shore near the slipway so they tacked in the tide. they were pushed backwards fast and it looked as if the race was up. But a puff of wind came on and a second attempt brought them across the line to a cheer from the shore.
Interior of a punt.
