How the time has flown - it seems only a few weeks ago when the season started with first DBSC race on 27th April and here we are at the other end with the last DBSC race of 2024. Saturday 28th day dawned bright with light medium winds forecast – a lull between heavy winds on Friday and storms on Sunday – the wind gods were in a good mood and with a flat sea condition were nigh on perfect for the final DBSC showdown. While 35 Sailors had expressed interest in partaking in this race, many withdrew for various reasons and on the day 20 Sailors turned out neatly filling each boat. Following crew assembly and usual allocation to various boats spirits were buoyed up for a great day on the water.  

As the sails were being raised a cry was heard from Garavogue – their Jib Halyard had gone up the mast, out of reach, dangling just below the spreaders. John Keogh from the neighbouring boat came to the rescue being transferred by NYC launch and bravely elected to be hoisted aloft, standing on the gaff, until he could reach the halyard via the boathook. The Garavogue crew expertly raised the gaff with, John on board, up and back down safely and, while a great spectator event, it was equally a tricky and risky manoeuvre not to be repeated lightly. Soon the jib halyard was restored to its proper place and Garavogue back on track to set sail.  

John bravely retrieving Garavogue's wayward jib halyard

With a westerly wind of 260° and ebbing tide (LW 15.25) the Saturday M course with black line start was given by the OOD. The light wind forecast provided for shorter courses to be chosen with Cruisers 2 and 3 getting M6 and M7 respectively however the 3-mark M8 course was awarded for the Twentyones – Salthill, Asgard, Turning, Finish. 

The earlier fleets had varying starting strategies and difficult to gauge which was best – stay inshore or sail out. Close to the start Naneen sailed down the line to the hut and, despite taking some turns to run down the clock, were still early having to turn back towards the pin end on port with 30 seconds to go. Garavogue and Geraldine came in from above the pin and chose to start from there. Estelle had followed Naneen to sail along line and, arriving a little later managed their timing such that Naneen had to give way to Estelle as they passed on the line just before the start.  

Naneen being on port stayed on after the start and was some distance windward of Garavogue and Geraldine both on a similar track. Estelle remained on starboard sailing deep into the pier before tacking to become the most windward boat. The wind was holding approx. 5kts with gusts up to 8 / 9 kts therefore taking advantage of these was key to optimum positioning. Approaching the lay line with all boats needing to tack, Garavogue turned in first followed shortly after by Naneen on a more windward track. Estelle remained on port crossing comfortably in front of both boats before tacking to tightly cover Naneen on the approach to Salthill mark.  

Estelle held her short lead to round Salthill in pole position closely followed by Naneen, then Garavogue with Geraldine bringing up the rear. After rounding Estelle chose a high windward line following the Cruisers 3 and closing in on them in in near perfect conditions. However, heading down the reach it became apparent that Estelle and Garavogue were sailing a different direction. A course card check proved that Naneen was on the correct course while Estelle had mistaken their 2nd mark to be same as both preceding fleets and was heading for Saoirse instead of Asgard. Having realise their error they altered direction to a deep port run with some catching up to do on the fleet. 

Asgard being further out was still a good distance away and Naneen was leading the fleet having taken a direct course from Salthill on port Gybe. Garavogue was windward of Naneen and a clear threat, while Geraldine was holding onto the rear position. Estelle having taken a great circle route had more distance to make up however nearing the mark Estelle was back in contention having made excellent ground also on port gybe.  Closing in to round Asgard Naneen and Estelle converged from different angles and, being overlapped for some time, Naneen called for Mark room. Estelle acknowledged this right however had done enough to break the overlap and gain a short boat length ahead before rounding to hold pole position. 

The close position of the three leading boats provided no room for complacency with all to play for on the beat to Turning. Garavogue tacked off to port shortly after rounding Asgard heading up towards Dublin port. Estelle and Naneen remained on starboard for a while longer before Naneen tacked off with Estelle following immediately obviously to cover her main rival. The fleet was now all on port tack in a broadly comparable situation to the initial beat to Salthill after the start. Garavogue was once again first to tack in to lay Turning and while still behind Naneen and Estelle was travelling fast and had narrowed the gap. Naneen and Estelle continued on port for a little longer before Naneen tacked in. Estelle crossed ahead of Naneen and then tacked continuing tight cover as before, however, the fleet were still not on the lay line and still about ½ mile to travel to the mark.  Estelle was windward of the fleet with Naneen close inside and Garavogue some way to leeward but further ahead. After a while Garavogue tacked back to port and was now leading the fleet comfortably passing in front of both her nearest competitors.   

However, Estelle and Naneen remained as they were only finally tacking in unison as they approached the green start mark and needing to stay outside of it. From here it was a short distance to the lay line before tacking back with Estelle remaining in command while Garavogue having taken the lead earlier was now once again back in 3rd place. Rounding Turning mark Estelle steered straight for the hut claiming the win with Naneen close behind followed by Garavogue and then Geraldine who remained in touch throughout.  

Final result    

1. Estelle  

2. Naneen 

3. Garavogue  

4. Geraldine  

Overall another exciting closely fought race with some added mistakes and good fortune added to the mix. It was noteworthy that crews have become very competent with excellent teamwork evident over the season – surely a mark of the commitment put in and enjoyment derived by all in this wonderful and exciting class.  

It was still only 3.30 and shortly after 4.00pm most of the crew had gathered on the NYC balcony to raise a glass to the end of the racing season. Two crew even wore the newly acquired class Mariniere with Sailor's crest on the left sleeve as seen in the picture below. The Mariniere are available direct from Armor Lux in France while the crests can be purchased via the Sailors website www.dublinbay21.ie