Displaying items by tag: spring Chicken

6th February 2024

J109 Joker II is Winner of First DBSC Spring Chicken Race

Multiple championship-winning J109 Joker II of the Royal Irish Yacht Club won the first race of the DBSC Spring Chicken Series on Sunday.

The results are downloadable below.

As Afloat reported previously, strong westerly winds reduced the fleet to 17 boats as winds gusted to over 20 knots on Dublin Bay.

Second was the recent winner of the 2023 Turkey Shoot Series, the 1720 Optique with third place, on modified ECHO handicap, going to the quarter tonner Snoopy from Courtown Sailing Club in County Wexford.

Racing in the six races series hosted by the National Yacht Club continues next Sunday.

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14th January 2024

2024 DBSC Spring Chicken Series on Dublin Bay is Launched

Dublin Bay Sailing Club has published the Notice of Race for its AIB 2024 Spring Chicken Series.

Six races will be held on Sunday mornings from 5 February to 10 March (first gun 1010 hrs), using a progressive handicap on a time-to-time basis.

Download the Notice of Race below.

The 2023 Series attracted a fleet of nearly fifty boats, and organisers are expecting a similar fleet next month.

Cruisers, cruising boats, one-designs and boats that do not normally race are “very welcome”, DBSC adds. After the sailing, prize draws, food and more will be kindly hosted by the National Yacht Club.

The entry fee is €60, which includes temporary membership of DBSC and the NYC. Entries can be made online at dbsc.ie.

Anyone experiencing issues with their entries is invited to contact Rosemary Roy, Hon Sec, at 087 7626976 or Fintan Cairns at 087 2439208.

Sailing instructions will be available on Sunday, 4 February and will be emailed to entrants beforehand.

DBSC advises that the last date for entries is Wednesday, 31st January, and warns that handicaps of late entries will be adjusted accordingly!

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23rd February 2023

DBSC Spring Chicken Fleet Prepares for Fourth Race on Dublin Bay

The AIB-sponsored DBSC Spring Chicken Series 37-boat cruiser-racer fleet heads into its fourth race on Dublin Bay this Sunday (26th February).

After three races sailed, John O'Gorman's Hot Cookie from the National Yacht Club continues to lead overall on 33 points, but results are due to get a shake-up when a discard is applied after the fourth race is sailed.

Second is the J80 Derry Girls on 37, and another J80, Sea Jade, is third.

Six races are being held on Sunday mornings from 5 February to 12 March (first gun 1010 hrs), using a progressive handicap on a time-to-time basis.

DBSC Race organiser Fintan Cairns has released handicaps and starts for the fourth race and these are downloadable below.

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14th January 2023

2023 DBSC Spring Chicken Series is Launched

Dublin Bay Sailing Club has published the Notice of Race for its AIB 2023 Spring Chicken Series.

Six races will be held on Sunday mornings from 5 February to 12 March (first gun 1010 hrs), using a progressive handicap on a time-to-time basis.

Download the Notice of Race below.

The 2022 Series attracted a fleet of fifty boats, and organisers are expecting a similar fleet next month.

Cruisers, cruising boats, one-designs and boats that do not normally race are “very welcome”, DBSC adds. And after the sailing, prize draws, food and more will be kindly hosted by the National Yacht Club.

The entry fee is €60, which includes temporary membership of DBSC and the NYC. Entries can be made online at dbsc.ie.

Anyone experiencing issues with their entries is invited to contact Rosemary Roy, Hon Sec, at 087 7626976 or Fintan Cairns at 087 2439208.

Sailing instructions will be available on Sunday, 5 February and will be emailed to entrants beforehand.

DBSC advises that the last date for entries is Wednesday, 1 February, and warns that handicaps of late entries will be adjusted accordingly!

There is special advice for charterers and school boats to ensure you enter with the correct sail numbers.

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spring Chicken

14th March 2022

Royal St. George's J/80 'George 5' Wins DBSC's Spring Chicken Series on Dublin Bay (UPDATED)

A final race win in the four-race DBSC Spring Chicken Series handed the 2022 trophy to the George 5 J/80 crew (Fred Tottenham, Will Prendergast, Joe Doyle and Ian Croxon) who won by three points overall.

There was a joint second finish in the 50-boat fleet with the J/109 Dear Prudence and the Jeanneau 36 Sirocco who both tied on 20 points.

The final race (that doubled as a #Ukrainian fundraiser at the National Yacht Club) got away despite some early strong southeasterly breezes on Dublin Bay on Sunday morning.

Download the overall and race four results below

UPDATE (17/3/22): DBSC Spring Chicken Feathers Ruffled But Now Reset And Smoothed In Final Results

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11th March 2022

Breezy Conclusion to DBSC Spring Chicken Series Anticipated

Sunday may bring a breezy conclusion to the DBSC Spring Chicken Series if current forecasts are anything to go by.

With 48 hours to the final race, strong southeasterly winds are forecast for the 50-boat mixed cruiser fleet currently led by the 1720 Optique.

Handicaps and Starts for the final race of the AIB sponsored series are downloadable below.

Each boat of the 50-boat fleet is expected to fly a Ukrainian flag for the final race. Flags are available from Viking Marine who are supporting the appeal. Ukraine flags (backstay size) are in stock and all proceeds to the Ukraine Red Cross at €15 are available from the shop or over the phone 01-280 6654

DBSC Race organiser Fintan Cairns admits "the weather is a bit changeable at moment but it looks like we will hopefully get sailing on Sunday".

Overall and race winner prizegivings and weekly draws will be held after sailing on Sunday in the National Yacht Club.

"If, for any reason, we do not get racing on Sunday an extra series race and prizegiving will be scheduled for Sunday 27th March, Cairns told competitors.

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9th March 2022

1720 Sportsboat Entry Leads J/97 into Last Race of DBSC Spring Chicken Series

The 1720 sportsboat entry Optique leads Lindsay Casey and Denis Power's J/97 Windjammer into the final race of the DBSC Spring Chicken Series for mixed cruisers on Dublin Bay.

Three races have been sailed in the weather-hit series with the final round scheduled for this Sunday morning off Dun Laoghaire Harbour.

Full results of the race and overalls are downloadable below.

Ukraine appeal

Meanwhile, Fine Gael Senator Barry Ward has applauded the Spring Chicken sailors' Ukrainian Humanitarian appeal that raised nearly €5,500 last weekend after racing at the National Yacht Club.

The Senator tweeted "Congratulations to @DBSC_1884 and all competitors on this scheme to support #Ukraine by buying and flying a Ukrainian flag during the #SpringChicken races. Great idea made possible through @vikingmarine

Congratulations to @DBSC_1884 and all competitors on this scheme to support #Ukraine by buying and flying a Ukrainian flag during the #SpringChicken races. Great idea made possible through @vikingmarine ??? https://t.co/iNl2RWAdPa pic.twitter.com/xuEtMqcZJP
— Barry Ward (@barrymward) March 9, 2022

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7th March 2022

DBSC Spring Chicken Sailors Raise €2,735 for Ukraine Red Cross Fund With Matching Support From Viking Marine

DBSC Spring Chicken Series competitors raised €2735 in donations for the Red Cross in Ukraine after yesterday's fifth race on Dublin Bay.

Event supporter Viking Marine will match the amount raised.

Next weekend, following an initial idea from DBSC champion and Spring Chicken sailor Lindsay Casey, the 50-boat fleet will fly Ukrainian flags (courtesy size) for people to purchase before sailing in the last race of the series.

All proceeds from the flag sale will again go to the Red Cross.

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4th March 2022

DBSC Spring Chicken Series Prepare for A Third Race in Weather-Hit Event

Handicaps and start times have been published for the weather-hit DBSC Spring Chicken Series.

Two of a possible four races have been sailed so far due to strong winds in the six-race series but weather conditions look 'kinder' this weekend, according to race organiser Fintan Cairns.

As Afloat reported earlier, the J109 Dear Prudence leads overall by three points from the 1720 sportsboat Conor K.

Lying third overall in the 50-boat fleet is DBSC's best-performing yacht on handicap over the last two seasons, the Royal St. George J/97 Windjammer jointly skippered by Lindsay Casey and Denis Power.

Handicaps and Starts for the next race are downloadable below.

Racing continues each Sunday at 10.10 am until 13th March 2022 inclusive.

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15th February 2022

1720 Sportsboat Wins First Race of DBSC Spring Chicken Series on Dublin Bay

The 1720 sportsboat 'Conor K' was the winner of the first race of Dublin Bay Sailing Club's Spring Chicken Series in Seapoint Bay last Sunday morning.

Second in the 37-boat fleet was the Jeanneau 36, Sirocco. Third was the Royal St. George Yacht Club J80, George 7.

Racing for a mixed cruiser-racer fleet will continue each Sunday at 10.10 am until 13th March 2022 inclusive.

Download results below

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About The Middle Sea Race

The Rolex Middle Sea Race is a highly rated offshore classic, often mentioned in the same breath as the Rolex Fastnet, The Rolex Sydney–Hobart and Newport-Bermuda as a 'must do' race. The Royal Malta Yacht Club and the Royal Ocean Racing Club co-founded the race in 1968 and 2007 was the 28th Edition. Save for a break between 1984 and 1995 the event has been run annually attracting 25–30 yachts. In recent years, the number of entries has rissen sharply to 68 boats thanks to a new Organising Committee who managed to bring Rolex on board as title sponsor for the Middle Sea Race.

The race is a true challenge to skippers and crews who have to be at their very best to cope with the often changeable and demanding conditions. Equally, the race is blessed with unsurpassed scenery with its course, taking competitors close to a number of islands, which form marks of the course. Ted Turner described the MSR as "the most beautiful race course in the world".

Apart from Turner, famous competitors have included Eric Tabarly, Cino Ricci, Herbert von Karajan, Jim Dolan, Sir Chay Blyth and Sir Francis Chichester (fresh from his round the world adventure). High profile boats from the world's top designers take part, most in pursuit of line honours and the record – competing yachts include the extreme Open 60s, Riviera di Rimini and Shining; the maxis, Mistress Quickly, Zephyrus IV and Sagamore; and the pocket rockets such as the 41-foot J-125 Strait Dealer and the DK46, Fidessa Fastwave.

In 2006, Mike Sanderson and Seb Josse on board ABN Amro, winner of the Volvo Ocean Race, the super Maxis; Alfa Romeo and Maximus and the 2006 Rolex Middle Sea Race overall winner, Hasso Platner on board his MaxZ86, Morning Glory.

George David on board Rambler (ex-Alfa Romeo) managed a new course record in 2007 and in 2008, Thierry Bouchard on Spirit of Ad Hoc won the Rolex Middle Sea Race on board a Beneteau 40.7

The largest number of entries was 78 established in 2008.

Middle Sea Race History

IN THE BEGINNING

The Middle Sea Race was conceived as the result of sporting rivalry between great friends, Paul and John Ripard and an Englishman residing in Malta called Jimmy White, all members of the Royal Malta Yacht Club. In the early fifties, it was mainly British servicemen stationed in Malta who competitively raced. Even the boats had a military connection, since they were old German training boats captured by the British during the war. At the time, the RMYC only had a few Maltese members, amongst who were Paul and John Ripard.

So it was in the early sixties that Paul and Jimmy, together with a mutual friend, Alan Green (later to become the Race Director of the Royal Ocean Racing Club), set out to map a course designed to offer an exciting race in different conditions to those prevailing in Maltese coastal waters. They also decided the course would be slightly longer than the RORC's longest race, the Fastnet. The resulting course is the same as used today.

Ted Turner, CEO of Turner Communications (CNN) has written that the Middle Sea Race "must be the most beautiful race course in the world. What other event has an active volcano as a mark of the course?"

In all of its editions since it was first run in 1968 – won by Paul Ripard's brother John, the Rolex Middle Sea Race has attracted many prestigious names in yachting. Some of these have gone on to greater things in life and have actually left their imprint on the world at large. Amongst these one finds the late Raul Gardini who won line honours in 1979 on Rumegal, and who spearheaded the 1992 Italian Challenge for the America's Cup with Moro di Venezia.

Another former line honours winner (1971) who has passed away since was Frenchman Eric Tabarly winner of round the world and transatlantic races on Penduik. Before his death, he was in Malta again for the novel Around Europe Open UAP Race involving monohulls, catamarans and trimarans. The guest list for the Middle Sea Race has included VIP's of the likes of Sir Francis Chichester, who in 1966 was the first man to sail around the world single-handedly, making only one stop.

The list of top yachting names includes many Italians. It is, after all a premier race around their largest island. These include Navy Admiral Tino Straulino, Olympic gold medallist in the star class and Cino Ricci, well known yachting TV commentator. And it is also an Italian who in 1999 finally beat the course record set by Mistress Quickly in 1978. Top racing skipper Andrea Scarabelli beat it so resoundingly, he knocked off over six hours from the time that had stood unbeaten for 20 years.

World famous round the world race winners with a Middle Sea Race connection include yachting journalist Sir Robin Knox-Johnston and Les Williams, both from the UK.

The Maxi Class has long had a long and loving relationship with the Middle Sea Race. Right from the early days personalities such as Germany's Herbert Von Karajan, famous orchestra conductor and artistic director of the Berliner Philarmoniker, competing with his maxi Helisara IV. Later came Marvin Greene Jr, CEO of Reeves Communications Corporation and owner of the well known Nirvana (line honours in 1982) and Jim Dolan, CEO of Cablevision, whose Sagamore was back in 1999 to try and emulate the line honours she won in 1997.

THE COURSE RECORD

The course record was held by the San Francisco based, Robert McNeil on board his Maxi Turbo Sled Zephyrus IV when in 2000, he smashed the Course record which now stands at 64 hrs 49 mins 57 secs. Zephyrus IV is a Rechiel-Pugh design. In recent years, various maxis such as Alfa Romeo, Nokia, Maximus and Morning Glory have all tried to break this course record, but the wind Gods have never played along. Even the VOR winner, ABN AMro tried, but all failed in 2006.

However, George David came along on board Rambler in 2007 and demolished the course record established by Zephyrus IV in 2000. This now stands at 1 day, 23 hours, 55 minutes and 3 seconds.

At A Glance - Middle Sea Race 2024

First held: 1968

Organising Authority: Royal Malta Yacht Club

Start

The 45th Rolex Middle Sea Race will start on Saturday, 19 October 2024.

Grand Harbour, Valletta: seven separate starts, at 10-minute intervals, from 11:00 CEST Saturday, 21 October 2024

Start Line: between the Saluting Battery, Upper Barrakka Gardens (Valletta) and Fort St Angelo (Birgu)

Various vantage points all around the Grand Harbour, high up on the bastions or at water level. Harbour access for spectator boats is restricted during the period of the start.

Course

Set in the heart of the Mediterranean and is considered one of the most beautiful in the world. It starts and finishes in Malta, passes two active volcanoes and takes in the deep azure waters surrounding Sicily, and the Aeolian and Egadi Islands, as well as lonelier outposts of Pantelleria and Lampedusa, both closer to the African continent than Europe.

Length: 606 nautical miles (1,122km)

Outright Race Record: 33h 29m 28s, Argo, United States, Jason Carroll

Monohull Race Record: 40h 17m 50s, Comanche, Cayman Is, Mitch Booth