Celtic Challenge 2010

[Eugene Wixted]

This years Celtic Challenge rowing race from Arklow, Ireland to Aberwyswyth, Wales got underway today with the Ladies and Mixed teams starting at 14.00 hrs and the Mens teams at 16.00. ETA Aber 05.00 onwards

Each team of 12 has at least one mothership and a RIB or inflatable for crew transfers. 18 teams taking part so lots of boats in the flotilla heading to Wales.

More details and position updates on http://www.celtic-challenge.org.uk/

[willk]

A hard days night. Best of luck to the crews!


Hopefully the bloke who did their website logo isn't in charge of Navigation too

[Eugene Wixted]

Originally Posted by willk

A hard days night. Best of luck to the crews!


Hopefully the bloke who did their website logo isn't in charge of Navigation too

Could explain why the Arklow Teams won the both the Mens and Ladies titles last time in 2008.

[tonymac]

Originally Posted by willk

A hard days night. Best of luck to the crews!


Hopefully the bloke who did their website logo isn't in charge of Navigation too

[tony t]

hope Aberdovey win this year ...!! one of my mates in the rowing

looks like a rough night hope everyone arrives safe ..might get up early and go out meet the winners if you look on facebook some good video from 2008

[Eugene Wixted]

The weather on this side was good for the start this afternoon. It was an impressive sight to see all the boats on the startline. I heard ''Bread of Heaven'' blasting from one of the support boats on the way out of the harbour.

The crews travelled over on the ferry last night and had to head back today to avail of the weather window.

They didn't get a chance to have a few Guinness as in other years.

[tony t]

great row by our local boys congratulations to aberdovey rowing mens team
80 plus miles 14 hours 47 mins 50 secs some going that

[willk]

Originally Posted by Eugene Wixted

They didn't get a chance to have a few Guinness as in other years.

Your failure to nobble the Welsh has had serious consequences, Eugene.

Well done Wales

[Eugene Wixted]

Congrats to Aberdovey on great race.

Well done to Arklow Ladies on retaining the Ladies trophy.

There were some very close finishing times, less than a minute between Courtown and Tenby.

Dissapointing for Borth to have to retire after all the time, effort and training put in to take part in the race.

Hope the remaining crews get to the finish. St. Michaels Rowing Club from Dun Laoghaire are competing in the wooden clinker built East Coast Skiff and would be slower than the grp Celtic Longboat used by most other teams.

[Dave P]

Congratulations to all teams,

I was supporting the Caernarfon Mixed team in the RIB, all I can say is what hard work those poor rowers go through. I found it hard enough and I was only driving the RIB and swapping the crews. I think Martha Focker will back me up on that with me as well.
Just a few pics that we took on the way, Bonus was seeing the dolphins on the way back from Aberystwyth on Sat afternoon.