It is tradition that following the last DBSC midweek race that each Club organises their own End of Season event for its members. These are designed as fun races but, as with all racing, there are some who take winning very seriously. However, the prize giving format for these races is such there is a suitable reward for most if not all boats.  

The Twentyones are unique on the waterfront in that many of our members are also members of one of the waterfront clubs and therefore the respective members of each club may entera boat and muster suitable crews for their own club event. This year a clash of dates meant that the RSGYC and RIYC races were both scheduled for the same day – Friday 6th September. On this occasion the “George” pursuit race secured favour over the RIYC event and crews mustered for same.  

The NYC race was initially scheduled, as it traditional, for the Thursday following the last DBSC Thursday race this year falling on 5th September the day before the George event. The weather that week however was very unkind with a series of low fronts passing the country. It was soon obvious that racing would be a challenge and the Twentyones made a wise call not to complete early on the day. The Club organisers tried to find a suitable window to race however by mid-afternoon they conceded that with winds forecast up to 30 kts a postponement was necessary, and a new date was announced for the following Tuesday 10th September.  

Meanwhile the weather forecast for the RSGYC event was more favourable with a high pressure building from the south pushing the strong westerlies further north. As a result, following the disappointment of the NYC postponement the previous day, a full crew turned out to do battle under the stewardship of George members, Rupert Bowen, Liz Faulkner, Michael Reid, and John Sugars on Estelle, Garvogue, Naneen and Geraldine, respectively.  

Normal mixed fleet racing is organised such that boats start at same time and the results are calculated by applying handicap time correction factors to the elapsed times leading to final positions. The format of a pursuit race is the opposite where each boat / fleet are given staggered individual start time based on their ECHO handicap. Thereby handicaps are applied to the start time such that slower classes start first with speedier boats last and the race is to stay in front and avoid being passed out with the first boat home declared the overall winner hence a pursuit race. The format is transparent and gives the slower classes a good head start, which, in some conditions they can excel to hold the lead but regularly may have to concede to the larger faster boats overtaking them suffering a double handicap of being blanketed by their much larger sail area. In any event there is much fun and banter on the water heightened by the George tradition of “dressing up for the occasion” 

Thus, we were in the company of monocled, cane bearing gentlemen, Elvis wannabes, Abba lookalikes and other bewigged exotic creatures thankfully not often encountered on the bay or elsewhere for that matter – all in the name of great sport and fun.  

Back to the racing Jim Dolan was race officer and it was a challenging duty as the wind gods were in a frivolous mood, perhaps buoyed by the exotics who came out to play. The anticipated W 8 – 10 kts was at best fleeting and at worst about to be overtaken by the dreaded Dublin Bay cyclonic. In any event a Black pin end start line was chosen with course notified as beat to Salthill, reach to South Bar, and long fetch back to Turning and short run to finish. However, the winds slackened before the start forcing Jim to alter the course during the first start sequence by substituting Middle for South Bar and soon the first boats were on their way. The water wags led the way followed by Lasers, Glens, Ruffians, Shipman’s and Twentyones. Geraldine was the only boat close to the line at the gun and promptly set off to the envy of the others who were varying distances behind with Garavogue being quite a long way back.  

After our start Jim was still reviewing the course and made a further, and indeed wise, amendment, announcing over the radio that Saoirse would now substitute for Middle thus shortening the course further.  Shortly after he requested one of the support ribs to go on station at Saoirse and prepare to finish the race there. Meanwhile the fleets were slowly working their way towards Salthill against an ebbing tide with still over an hour away from low water. It did not seem to matter which tack was taken as any gain to windward was soon stemmed by the tide – in hindsight going up the middle was less favourable than a great circle route hugging the shore which paid off better for those who took this option.  

The lead was changing with each tack and the Water Wags and Lasers with crisp sails were initially doing very well but as the larger boats came into the fray they edged into the lead. With the course getting crowded and slow momentum Geraldine and Estelle got into a tangle where Geraldine sailed across Estelle on port tack forced Estelle to alter course to avoid a collision but even then, their got their bow sprit caught Geraldine's main sheet. No damage accrued other a very embarrassed Geraldine who made the noble call to retire while Estelle continued racing.   

Estelle then made great progress and shortly after was the first Twentyone to round Salthill followed a little later by Naneen and eventually Garavogue. By now it was obvious to all that the race was close to being abandoned however the ever-resourceful OOD noted that one of the larger boats, El Pocko, had made good headway towards Saoirse and would make the finish line there. Realising that the rest of the fleets were less likely to achieve a proper finish the OOD then radioed the support ribs to start at Saoirse and, working back through the fleet still racing, record their respective position as a means determining a result. Having been thus recorded boats could then make their way home before assembling at the RSGYC for the post-race barbeque and prize giving.   

Ashore at the RSGYC an exceptionally fine BBQ of burgers, chicken, pork and short ribs and a variety of salads was served. Once appetites and thirsts were sated RSGYC Commodore Mark Hennessey commenced Prizegiving with various prizes on offer for each fleet. Geraldine having retired early had not been recorded but the skippers of the other Twentyones were presented with Club bow ties for Rupert and Mike and a club branded hat for Liz. El Pocko was awarded the annual Pursuit race silver cup – a much-coveted prize and well deserved in their case. 

The postponed NYC race was rescheduled for Tuesday 10th September but once again the winds were back in full strength. For the first time in memory the club had to admit defeat and cancel the race. However, the traditional post-race supper survived and albeit with a smaller attendance than originally intended 12 Twentyoners enjoyed a fine 3 course supper. The traditional bucket collection for the RNLI was passed around raising over €1000 for this worthy institution. As no racing had taken place and therefore no prizes to be awarded, the event sponsor, Meldon Marine Services, also generously donated the prize fund to the RNLI which all present deemed a very appropriate and worthy gesture. 

Overall, weather conditions ensured a poor end for both Club End of Season races but nevertheless each occasion were enjoyed by all who participated, proving that the company of good friends doing what they enjoy makes for very pleasurable occasions.