Cycling
Domestic Season Review-Boot Inn League. The winners of the 2006 Boot Inn League were presented with their prizes at the recent Women's Commission AGM in the Springfield Hotel.
The League has been run for over five years now, and is one of the most successful and popular events run by the Women's Commission. Beginners who might find open races a bit intimidating are attracted to the short, flat circuit, the handicap system used, and the social atmosphere.
This year, there were 10 races in the League, with all 10 counting towards the overall points. Riders get five points for each race they enter, with the top six finishers in each race gaining bonus points. The League takes place roughly every two weeks, on a Wednesday night at the back of Dublin Airport. As in recent years, the 2006 edition attracted many triathletes, who especially enjoyed the two Time Trial events. In total, fifty three riders took part, with an average number of 21 each night. Numbers gradually increased as the R?s na mBan 2 Day approached, to give a maximum number of 30 riders appearing at the final race.
The 10 individual race winners this year were Norah Daly (TriCycling.com), Louise Harliwich (DWCC), Chloe Farrell (Rathsallagh CC), Eil?s Byrne (DWCC), Ieva Japertaite (Orwell), Valerie Considine (IRC), Aideen Collard (Orwell) and Laura McKenna (Stamullen). Many clubs were represented, with Lakeside Wheelers, All Systems DWCC, Orwell Dundrum TC, McNally Swords CC and Stamullen M Donnelly showing up strongest.
The competition within each group was always intense, and the handicap system added to the excitement by ensuring that the overall winner was not decided until the final night. The results at the final race coincidentally mirrored the overall results, with Louise Harliwich (DWCC) taking the top honours, and finishing two points clear of R?is?n Kennedy (Staggs Lucan CRC). Orwell's Aideen Collard and Ieva Japertaite finished third and fourth with only one point between them. Valerie Considine (Usher IRC) of the Women's Commission and triathlete Norah Daly also received medals for finishing a fine fifth and sixth.
Louise Harliwich had a great year this year, improving on her second place in the Boot Inn League in 2005. This year, she won three of her ten Boot Inn races, putting the fine sprint that she has been perfecting at the Track in Sundrive Road to good use. She also finished fourth in the Zoo Hair Salon National League, for which she received another prize.
The Women's Commission would like to thank all the riders who supported the League this year, and of course, the organisers and marshals who make it all possible - especially Kathy Varley and Larry Farrell.
Ideas and suggestions for 2007 were put forward by riders and organisers at the Women's Commission AGM and discussed at length. With these improvements, next years' Boot Inn League is sure to be even bigger and better!