Following the very successful trip to Clontarf last week Sat 17^th returned to normal DBSC racing. All four boats participated as usual with 22 crew on board i.e. 2 boats with 6 crew.

Wind was 260 ° (W) and forecast to be in early teen range therefore full sail however the wind did get up to 15kts gusting 20kts around the start time with no problems experienced. Low water was 16.15 so an ebb tide for the duration. The hut start committee gave M6 as the course Black line start – Salthill, Middle, New Ross, Saoirse, Boyd, Turning, Finish.

The accompanying fleets were White Sail Cruisers, Ruffians, Shipman’s and Glen / Squibs who all started ahead of the Twentyone. They offered the opportunity to see how others handled the start and initial beat to Salthill which assisted in determining individual starting strategy.

Approaching the start time Geraldine was well behind the line coming in on port tack, Garavogue was sailing down the line on starboard heading towards the hut while Naneen and Estelle sailed onto the line at the pin end on starboard. As the gun went Geraldine was powered up on port and crossed the line with no traffic close by. Naneen remained on starboard sailing the line as due to the wind direction needed to tack to port to cross the line but held off until past Geraldine to take windward line on her. Estelle being behind Naneen, and further from Geraldine, tacked earlier to port while Garavogue had tacked to port just before the start signal in close to the hut and therefore was on the more windward track. Immediately following the start the X flag was raised accompanied by appropriate sound signal and VHF announcement for an individual recall however all boats continued on their way.

The fleet split on the initial beat with Geraldine and Naneen holding their port course out to the open water side while Estelle, having tacked back inshore shortly after starting, followed Garavogue to hug the pier. Which was the better option? Approaching Salthill, Garavogue was the first to round having come in on port tack from some way out. Geraldine was next having come in on starboard taking a short tack to round the mark. Naneen followed Geraldine on similar line about five boat lengths behind while Estelle brought up the rear.

It was a slightly broad reach to Middle and thankfully the earlier fleets were able to point the way. Garavogue was leading taking a high course with Geraldine chasing slightly more to leeward. Naneen, benefiting from a recent hull clean and fresh antifoul, started to reel in Geraldine. Geraldine’s crew and helm fought bravely to hold their lead however mid-way up the leg had to concede to the yellow boat. Estelle was chasing hard from the back also and making good speed closing in on the leaders. Meanwhile Garavogue remained out front being first to Middle and gybing to starboard immediately onto the run to New Ross.

After rounding Middle Naneen continued on port for a while before eventually gybing for New Ross. By now Garavogue and Naneen were opening a sold gap on Geraldine and Estelle giving rise to 2 private races. 

Rounding New Ross, Garavogue maintainer her lead but Naneen had tightened the gap while Estelle had overtaken Geraldine on the run. The two lead boats maintained starboard tack on the beat while Geraldine and Estelle tacked to port shortly after rounding splitting the fleet in position and strategy.

Determining where Saoirse was provided a little challenge however the fleets ahead continued to show the way and a mark was spotted. However, this later was determined to be Sea Point which was coincidently very close to the lay line for Saoirse further up the bay. By now Garavogue and Naneen ware on port tack heading towards Sea point and the lay line for Saoirse with Naneen to leeward but with good speed.. Estelle and Geraldine were still a good way further to leeward with Geraldine sailing deep up towards the river before tacking and by now firmly in last place.

Garavogue held the lead around Saoirse and gained slightly in the initial reach to Boyd. By now the winds had softened back to 10kts and flicking between 230° and 245°. Rounding Boyd close together the battle was on between Naneen and Geraldine as to who would take line honours. Both were now on port tack in close proximity and parallel with Naneen to leeward but edging ahead with good speed. Garavogue tacked for the lay line to Turning while Naneen sailed on a little further. This paid off as the shifty wind favoured Naneen and they were able to sail free down on Garavogue and finally overtaking her just before Turning. The reach to the finish was never in doubt with Naneen leading the fleet home and Garavogue hot on her heels within 20 seconds or so. Estelle and Geraldine had closed up the gap also with all four boats on the last leg between Turning and the finish line just before Naneen got the gun.

Remember that X flag at the start? well it was raised for Garavogue who was determined to be over the line and, not having returned to restart was therefore deemed OCS.

Final result as follows:

 1.     Naneen

 2.     Estelle

 3.     Geraldine

 Garavogue – OCS

Regardless of the result all agreed that it was a great race and certainly Garavogue provided a super target for Naneen right the way around the course.

Naneen’s speed and result has finally dispelled the rumours and concerns as to her performance. It was discovered that the original antifoul treatment did not perform as expected this clearly affected her performance. Having a now clean and freshly antifouled hull she is now showing up the other boats who still await a mid-season clean.

Naneen’s crew requested that it is recorded that all 5 crew each helmed a full leg of the course thereby proving superb teamwork assisting their success on the day ????

Après sail was hosted at the RIYC with all sailors making the journey there after landing ashore. It was a nice change to be in a different club and also important to support all the waterfront clubs where many of our crew are members. The RIYC had a lovely menu on offer and a couple of very enjoyable hours were spent there enjoying the fare on offer and rumours have it there was even some singing later on for those who remained.

Fionnuala, Orflaith, John, with Gillian at the helm, sailing to victory on Naneen - Photo credit: S Doyle