#flyingfifteen – Midsummer's day turned out to be a fantastic day on the water for the Flying fifteens and off with a nice breeze and sunshine all day. Racing started early and with an 18–boat entry there promised to be some exciting racing. Gerry Donleavy was back in action sailing with Alan Green, other favourites included National Champions Ian & Keith, the Meagher's in their new boat, David & Chris and Jonathan O'Rourke & Carol in Alan Dooley's boat Fflogger.
The wind was from the north at about 10knots, a little more than forecast and for the first race the tide was still going out. As on Thursday night there appeared to be more wind uptide out on the left and the group of boats that included the Meaghers, Mathews, Green and Tom Galvin came in to the first mark in the lead, Gorman had gone right to clear air and was back in sixth but it was all very close going down the reach. On the second beat the lead boats stayed on port tack going right, Gorman went left straight away, half way up the beat he was in third place, meanwhile Mathews and Galvin had cut across and were first and second, Tom and his brother Eamon were flying and crossed Mathews to lead but it was short lived as they over stood the mark and Mathews squeezed up in front of them. Downwind thing stayed the same. On the third beat the wind was steady enough and the lead boats were covering each other, at the last quarter Mathews and Tom were neck and neck as the went slightly to the right near the mark, Gorman to an extra hitch to the left and came in on port, this was going to be close with the two boats coming over on starboard, would he make it? . . going a bit faster he managed to squeeze in with a few boat lengths to spare to the lead at the mark and consolidated it on the reaches.
After the leeward mark Gorman covered the two boat all going to the left side. As Gorman crossed the line and Mathews and Galvin tacked out there was a windshift, those just behind, Green and the Meagher's, were now on a lift heading for the finish, Mathews managed to hold on to second, Green squeezed in ahead of the Meagher's to get third and Tom ended up fifth after sailing a great race- sailing can be like a game of snakes and ladders!
Between racing the wind was moving to the east and PRO officer Larry Power and his team had to reset the course. After the delay everyone was keen and over the line, general recall, the wind continued to go more E/SE and Larry had to change the course again. Eventually we got going, Gorman went right quickly but those on the left fared better, Green came across in a good position but tacked back out and was under the now weather boats on starboard, not a good place to be coming into the mark! The Meaghe'rs in Ffantastically Mr Fox lead at the mark followed by the ever consistant Mathews & Poole, Green came in on port and managed to hit Jonathan O'Rourke, in the pile up Gorman sailed over them into third position. On the second reach which was broad, the boats were settled but suddenly Gorman made an attack on Mathews, sudden and decisive action was required by Ian but it was too late, Gorman was over him into second place with the Meagher's still in first watching their back!
On the second beat the right paid, there was a strong ebbing tide now so staying in the shallow waters was helpful. The Meagher's and Gorman went right but not all the way, Jonathan & Carol went further to the right and came into the weather mark in first followed bt the Meaghers with Gorman back a bit, meanwhile Mathews had gone left and struggled with the lighter winds and strong tide against him to fall back from the lead group. Downwind Gorman went left while the others stayed out right, Gorman came into the mark at a tighter, faster angle and got water on the lead boats to take the lead which he kept to the end. Meanwhile the Meagher's and Jonathan slowed each other down on rounding and those behind closed the gap, Gorman went right and was followed by Niall Colman& Mick Quinn who had now moved into second. Things stayed much the same for the last lap but on the final beat the wind was getting lighter and shifty, Colman kept his second place but Mathews snuck into third followed O'Rourke, the Meagher's and Frank Burgess.
Overall then it was David & Chris in first place with two hard fought wins, Ian and Keith in second and the Meagher's in third one point ahead of Niall Colman & Mick Quinn with the Galvin brothers in sixth place. Well done to all who participated and to Larry and his team, it was a great days racing.
Once ashore the usual regatta festivities were in full swing, the club had a great bbq and music and a large group from the class kept going till the early hours at the regatta dinner. So all in all a great day on and off the water. Next week is the DMYC Regatta
