Saturday 27th July Race Report
Good start by all with Garavogue, Naneen and Geraldine fighting for position closest to the hut which Garavogue won with Geraldine and Estelle close behind and sailing a higher course closer to the pier.
All headed on long starboard tack into the tide with lead swopping between Geraldine and Garavogue. The lumpy sea was quite uncomfortable and wave length not suiting the fleet.
Garavogue was first to tack into Scotsman Bay hoping for a flatter sea followed by Estelle. Both tacked again for a starboard approach to Poldy. Geraldine carried on planning a single tack down to Poldy but didn’t quite make it with the strong tide, then lost a lot of momentum double tacking to get around the mark which was noted by Estelle as she made her rounding.
photo: Jean O'Driscoll
The run to Pier saw Garavogue maintain a good lead followed by Geraldine and with a battle going on between Naneen and Estelle. An error of judgement by the Estelle helm saw her narrowly miss the jibe mark and return for a second attempt allowing Naneen slip past into third. The beat back to Poldy saw Estelle make up ground with the starboard mark being rounded by Garavogue, Geraldine, Estelle and Naneen in that sequence.
A long dead run to Merrion followed where Estelle gained somewhat on Geraldine whilst Garavogue maintained her lead. After Merrion it was a long beat deep towards Salthill and with final long port tack to make the finish line.
Finish: Garavogue, Geraldine, Estelle, Naneen. Race was about 1 ½ hours.
Great day to be out on the bay - wind, occasional sunshine, reasonably warm. A long course, no real tacking options but enjoyable nonetheless with a steady breeze.
In keeping with the Esprit de Flotte, it was the RIYC’s turn to host the Dublin Bay Twenty One Sailors Après Sail and a good number headed down to the buzzing Terrace for some refreshment and excellent food, post-race analysis and chat.