With the excitement of Olympic sailing in Rio having gripped the sailing community it was always going to be hard to match it but it was also exciting on Dublin Bay for the Flying Fifteen class who had two races in a moderate but shifty westerly breeze and an outgoing tide. Dave Gorman and Chris Doorly sailing Betty for the first time after recently winning the Championship of Ireland won both races.
Race 1: the pin was favoured by a long way and Gorman got it, he got under Murphy who in turn had to push Mathews up and over the line. Most of the fleet went right but Gorman, Galvin and Colman headed towards the shore. Galvin got to the weather mark first by a boat lenght and kept the lead till the second run down to the finish. Gorman threathened to attack to weather but suddenly gybed over to the right and headed for the pin end of the finish to take the gun by a boat lenght. Tom Murphy had come in fast from the right to take third place with Mathews & Poole fourth. The rest of the fleet were only a few boatlenghts behind- great close racing which is what we all like!
For Race 2 the winds had shifted to the right, more NW and the PRO reset the course. The big question was would it flick back? The majority of the fleet went right including Galvin who had an excellent start and crossed the fleet. Those on the left including Gorman, OSullivan and Coughlin hoped it would. . . and it did! Gorman led and headed down the run with the Yellow Mitshibushi spinnaker in full flow to extend their lead which they held to the gun. Behind places would change, Murphy was up to second with Mathews and Galvin close behind. The excitement was saved for the last run down to the finish line. Mathews luffed Murphy and eventually gybed to the left, Murphy followed which left Galvin on his own out on the right, this was decisive as Galvin got clear wind and nipped in for second, Mathews third and Murphy fourth. Great racing!
Thanks to the PRO and his team who did a great job.
The DBSC series continues This Thursday.
