After a long run of cancellations due to lack of wind last night’s race was very welcome in a NE F3-4. Three boats started – Naneen, Garavogue and Geraldine skippered by Deane, Rupert and John Keogh respectively. DBSC set a 5-mark course from yellow start line to Boyd, Merrion, Salthill, Saoirse Turning and Home.
At the gun Naneen was close to the hut and remained on port tack against the tide coasting along the harbour wall out to the lay line for Boyd. Garavogue and Geraldine started on Starboard tack heading towards Sutton before tacking back up the middle of the course. Close to Boyd all three boats converged with Naneen on starboard crossing ahead of Garavogue while Geraldine tacked just ahead and under Naneen closer to the mark. Geraldine clung on just in front and to leeward of Naneen rounding in 1st place.
On the reach to Merrion Naneen overtook Geraldine near the end of the leg however close to the mark Geraldine called from Room and Naneen took a wide rounding allowing Geraldine to regain pole position. Positions remain unchanged to Sea Point and back out to Saoirse with all three boats effectively at same speed. Coming to Saoirse Geraldine took a slightly longer course before tacking to round allowing Naneen to narrow the gap a little but still behind. It now all rested on the final broad reach to Turning and home.
Naneen attacked Geraldine from behind slowly closing the gap and then gaining to windward to secure rounding rights. Close to the Turning Naneen had clear water while Geraldine had to gybe to avoid a Ruffian ahead. This gave Naneen the advantage rounding the mark albeit also having to swing wide to allow the Ruffian to pass in front. The race to the line had Geraldine chasing hard but with both boats on a similar line for the hut end Naneen secured the tight win with seconds to spare over Geraldine with Garavogue close behind.
Overall a very exciting race where the lead changed several times – true one design racing at its best
