#fireball – The 42nd edition of the Frostbite Series got underway in Dun Laoghaire harbour this afternoon, Sunday, 4th November 2012 in grey, blustery and cold conditions writes Cormac Bradley. In contrast to yesterday's sunshine, the skies were full of grey cloud that regularly dumped rain on Dun Laoghaire before the scheduled start. Fortunately, we weren't afflicted by rain on the water, but the grey and the coolness of the air temperature were not alleviated!

In the lead up to the weekend, the suggestion was that the registered entries for the Frostbites were not as good as they have been in recent years – hardly a surprising prospect given the current climate. However, a late flurry of paperwork saw 17 entries on the register for the series and fourteen of those made it to the first start line. Some people took an early bath, before the start, ostensibly to check out a new dry suit but wrapping a spinnaker round the spreader wasn't on the agenda and the damaged sail compromised the performance in the two races – it couldn't be used.

Tim Costello, of Tiamat fame, was the Race Officer for the day and rather surprisingly set a schedule of three laps for the first race. We were soon to find out why!

Sailing before the start, we felt that the breeze was lifting on the starboard tack as one headed towards the east pier. Additionally, on the practice downwind legs, it was apparent that the seas at the harbour entrance were much confused and choppy. Ipso facto – go right on the first beat!

We didn't have the courage of our convictions and found ourselves in a busy stream of Fireballs going left. However, one boat did go right, and they were rewarded by rounding the weather mark first........even though, by their own admission, they were last off the line. Noel Butler & Stephen Oram (IRL 15061) weren't headed throughout the remainder of the race and they recorded the first win of the 2012/13 series. They were chased around the course by Kenny Rumball & Dave Moran (IRL 15058) and the Clancy brothers, Conor and James, sailing IRL 150. Behind this chasing pair were Alistair Court & Gordon Syme (IRL 14706), Frank Miller & Grattan Donnelly (IRL 14713), Neil Colin & Margaret Court (IRL 14775) and Louis Smyth & Cormac Bradley (IRL 15007) who rounded the weather mark in close company. The first reach of the triangle was quite comfortable, but the second reach, in the choppy conditions inside the harbour entrance was a great deal more hairy. Management of these conditions and the subsequent rounding of the leeward mark provided opportunities for place taking. The anchoring of a small raft, just upwind and about 30-40m to starboard of the leeward mark also caused some fun and games.

Different takes on the right-side/left side debate on the upwind course allowed for even more place changing. All the while the lead bunch was sailing away.

The finishing order for Race 1 was Butler/Oram, Rumball/Moran, Clancy/Clancy, Smyth/Bradley, Colin/Casey. However, on shore we found out that Rumball/Moran were scored OCS.

The three laps of Race 1 were then explained........a second race was scheduled! Admittedly, there were only two laps for this one. This time we did have the conviction to go right, though a slow start made that a more attractive prospect than trailing everyone else who had gone left. However, the breeze had also gone left, so the advantage of going right was quite so pronounced. At the first weather mark early running order was Rumball/Moran, Butler/Oram, Luke Malcolm & Shane Divinney (IRL 14790). Court/Syme, Colin/Casey, Miller/Donnelly, Louise McKenna & Hermine O'Keefe (IRL 14691), newcomers 14719, Mike Murphy & son James (IRL 14908), the Clancys and Smyth/Bradley were grouped closely together going round the weather mark. One boat without a spinnaker, another in trouble hoisting and fun & games at the first leeward mark, involving two three Fireballs and a Laser saw place swopping going on before the second and last beat. Bradley Smyth came out best by finding themselves challenging the Clancys and Court/Syme to take the lead slot in the chasing group. At the second weather mark these three were in close company again, with Court/Syme leading from Smyth/Bradley and the Clancys. Court/Syme got too intimate with the gybe mark requiring the taking of turns further down the second reach. This provided Smyth/Bradley the opportunity to get ahead into fourth, a position they held on the short hitch to the finish to just pip the Clancys.

Having assumed that the running order at the front had been maintained, it came as a surprise to read on the results sheet that Malcolm/Divinney had scored the 2nd place, behind Rumball/Moran. It appears that Butler/Oram had a complication with the spinnaker which required a sheet to be untied and retied after sorting. This afforded the young Howth Yacht Club combination the chance to take second which they grabbed with both hands.

There were some recognizable sail numbers in new hands on the water today – IRL 14719, previously campaigned by Franko Cassidy and John Hudson has changed hands. "Dogbolter" has been refurbished and was on the water today.

We were also joined on the water by Mike Murphy out of Waterford, sailing with his son, James.

The 42nd Frostbite Series is organised by Dun Laoghaire Motor Yacht Club.

#DMYC – A new annual award to recognise the outstanding contribution by junior sailors was launched yesterday by Sir Bob Geldof at the Dun Laoghaire Motor Yacht Club (DYMC). The DMYC Bob Geldof Spirit of Sailing Memorial Award is named in honour of the late Bob Geldof, father of Sir Bob Geldof, who was a long standing member of the DMYC. The first recipient of the Award was Conor Ryan (age 17) from Dalkey . He was presented with the Award at a ceremony on Saturday by Sir Bob Geldof in recognition of excellence in demanding sailing and racing achievements. In particular Conor's swift transfer from junior sailing rank to full DBSC (Dublin Bay Sailing Club) racing membership was commended.

According to Liam Owens, Commodore, DMYC , the Memorial award comes at a fitting time when the Club has a number of initiatives to highlight the many benefits of sailing to young people.

"The late Bob Geldof was an avid and accomplished sailor. He was a founding member of our Club back in 1965 and always encouraged and nurtured young people who wanted to gain experience and enjoy our sport. He was a much loved member of the DMYC from its earliest years until his death. The Geldof family mindful of his close connections with our Club has donated this new annual award to commemorate his memory and to inspire a new generation of junior sailors at the DMYC."

"This award is particularly apt, as we are actively seeking to promote the fun, energetic and thrill of sailing to young people. We want to encourage more people to embrace the sport and get out on the water and to help people in these recessionary times we are offering free membership to 16-19 year olds. New members do not need to have their own boat and existing members are always delighted to welcome newcomers to crew on their boats".

The DMYC has always maintained a key priority on offering 'affordable sailing'. It provides relevant support and back-up for a diverse range of marine activities such as angling, diving as well as for the core activity of the club – Sailing. The DMYC contributes to Dublin Bay racing through its organisation of its September Series and the Winter Frostbites for the more experienced sailors. The Club organises Junior Sail Training Programmes and is strongly involved in organising cruises-in-company for more mature sailors in Summertime to selected ports and locations up and down the Irish Sea and cross-channel.

"We like to think of our club as a home from home for members. Throughout the Winter season we host a strong and vibrant series of guest lectures on areas of cultural and nautical interest. These are highly popular social suppers where both Members, their friends as well as non-members can enjoy. It is fitting today that we announce our memorial award to one of those members, the late Bob Geldof who certainly viewed our Club as a home from home," concludes Commodore Owens.

#dmyc – Sir Bob Geldof will present an award made in memory of his late father to an outstanding junior sailor in Dun Laoghaire next month. The 'Bob Geldof Spirit of Sailing Award' for outstanding junior sailors will be presented at the Dun Laoghaire Motor Yacht Club (DMYC) where Bob senior was a founder member,  on Saturday, July 21st next.

#MARITIME LECTURE - This 'Thursday's Night Talk' organised by the Dun Laoghaire Motor Yacht Club (DMYC) is entitled 'Round Ireland 2011 Over Two Months'. Tomorrow's talk starts at 8pm and is to be presented by Gary Owens.

None members are also welcome to attend the winter lecture talks, held on Thursdays which will continue until April, noting the theme of the talks are not exclusively marine orientated. For further information Tel: 280 1371 and by visiting www.dmyc.ie

The DMYC is situated on the West Pier, close to Salthill and Monkstown DART station and car-parking is available beside the premises and also at the nearby Coal Harbour.

#FIREBALL – Fifteen Fireballs took to the water for last Sunday's Frostbite race but only 14 of them got a finish – Andy Boyle & Barry Hurley (14934, Royal Irish) – were recorded as an OCS! Wind conditions were lively with a WSW Force 4/5 blowing with gusts flashing across the course. The start had a boat-end bias for a change and my various correspondents advise that there were a few capsizes on the day. It also appears that people were doing 720º and 360º for rule infringements and mark-touching.

The first three boats over the finish line, Noel Butler & Stephen Oram, Neil Spain & Hugh Butler and Owen Laverty & Ed Butler effectively sailed their own separate race from the rest of the fleet and they enjoyed a race of nip and tuck with places changing between them.

Neil Colin & Margaret Casey finished fourth but behind them a tight bunch were fighting for places. Included in this group were Messrs Rumball & Moran, Malcolm & Diviney, Court & Syme and Miller/Donnelly before the all-lady teams of McKenna & O'Keefe and Power & Barry.

The ladies were well represented today with three all-female teams out on the water, the third being Mary Chambers and Brenda McGuire, who finished thirteenth. Derval O'Carroll was also a welcome returnee to the Frostbites, sailing with Stephen Campion. And our Sligo friends, Peter Armstrong & Matt mayron were also out sailing the all-wooden 15060.

Class stalwart Louis Smyth, sailing with Joe O'Reilly, had a bad day at the office – an early interaction with another boat required a 720º with a capsize thrown in as a "double-whammy". At the first weather mark there was another revolution taken when they hit the mark. "Enough said!"

Mug winners for the day were the ladies of 14691, Louise McKenna & Hermine O'Keefe of the Royal St. George Yacht Club.

In overall terms, Butler & Oram stretched their lead over Rumball/Moran to 5pts, while the latter pair have a comfortable 8pt margin over third placed Laverty/Butler.

#MARITIME LECTURES – This weeks 'Thursday' Night Talk organised by the Dun Laoghaire Motor Yacht Club (DMYC) is indeed about the very strange tale of the "Ouzel Galley".

Not many folk are aware that Dublin had its own maritime mystery that ranks with the Marie (Mary) Celeste saga.

In 1625 the Ouzel Galley sailed out the River Liffey bound for Mediterranean waters. After an absence of five years she returned battered and bruised confounding locals who had presumed she was lost with all hands.

It was not the unexpected return that caused excitement at the time but the contents of her hold!...Tim Magennis shall reveal more of  this extraordinary story on the evening starting at 8pm.

Thursday's (9th February) talk is part of a winter series held at the DMYC and is open to non members who are most welcome. The club located on the West Pier, Dun Laoghaire Harbour is close to Salthill DART station. To contact the club Tel: 280 1371 and visit www.dmyc.ie

#FROSTBITE–Frank Miller and Grattan Donnelly were the winners of the single Fireball dinghy race this afternoon in perfect conditions after last night's gale at the DMYC Frostbite series in Dun Laoghaire harbour. The handicap dinghy PY winners were Colin Galavan and Ciaran Boyle. The Laser winner was Gary O'Hare.

Fireballs at the windward mark in this afternoon's DMYC Frostbite race in Dun Laoghaire Harbour and below Ben Mulligan and two young crew compete in the PY class Photos: Bob Hobby

The 'Frostbites' tag was something of an oxymoron yesterday in Dun Laoghaire with temperatres in the teens for a double header sailing day at the Dun Laoghaire Motor Yacht Club dinghy Frostbites series.  In the PYs first race RS sailors Emmet Ryan / Richard Tate were the winners. In the Lasers it was Justin Geoghegan and  Noel Butler and Stephen Oram were winners of the Fireball division.

In the second race Hugh Sheehy was the PY winner, Will Nesbit won in the Lasers and sailmaker Kenny Rumball sailing with David Moran were Fireball winners.

#DMYC FROSTBITE – Although the strong winds put some doubt about yesterday's in harbour sailing at Dun Laoghaire the second race of the DMYC Frosbites got away on schedule  in spite of the very shifty conditions.

Hugh Butler crewing for Graeme Grant on their way to winning the Fireball Class in yesterday's DMYC Frostbite race in Dun Laoghaire Harbour Photo: Bob Hobby

Dublin Bay Sailing Club IDRA 14 Champions Frank Hamilton and Jenny Byrne (DMYC) were the winners of the Portsmouth Yardstick (PY) handicap dinghy fleet. The Royal St. George's Theo Lyttle won the Laser class with the top prize in the high performance Fireball dinghy going to Graeme Grant and Hugh Butler (RStGYC).

Monica Lee sailing upwind in her Supernova dinghy during yesterday's DMYC Frosdtbite race in Dun Laoghaire Harbour Photo: Bob Hobby

#DMYC FROSTBITES – The First race of the 41st Dun Laoghaire Motor Yacht Club dinghy frostbite series got underway in light breeze inside Dun Laoghaire Harbour yesterday afternoon in brilliantly sunny conditions.
The winner of the ever popular PY fleet was harbour local Alyson Rumball sailing an RS 200. The Laser class winner was Peter Craig with new Fireball class boss Neil Colin with Margaret Casey crewing the winners of the high performance Fireball fleet. More racing next Sunday.

Barry Hurley and Brian Flahive roll tack their Fireball during yesterday's opening race of the 41st annual Dun Laoghaire Motior Yacht Club Frostbite Challenge. Photo: Bob Hobby