In a second week of strong winds and exhilarating sailing, leading J109 yachts competing in the Rathfarnham Ford sponsored DBSC Turkey Shoot recorded speeds of 15–knots today.
After a short upwind leg and a gybe at the outfall mark off the West Pier, a reduced fleet, due to the conditions, set a course downwind to the Muglins Rock off Dalkey Island in the southern end of Dublin Bay.
There were very few spinnakers flown in the early stages of the long downwnd leg as gusts of 32–knots from the north-west hit the mixed cruiser and sportsboat fleet that includes 1720s and a sole SB20.
Today was the second in a series of seven races is held on Sunday mornings from 5th November to 17th December. An entry fee of €70.00 for the series includes temporary membership of DBSC and the Royal Irish Yacht Club.
Last year the series was dominated by J109s who took the top three places overall. This year the Js have a grip of the lead again with the JPK 10.80 Rockabill (that did not sail today) also in the frame after race one.
'I was tactician last week on Rockabill VI and tactician today on Joker II this week. We got Joker II up to 15.8 knots on the windy run to Muglins', Prof told Afloat.ie
In addition to the title sponsor, DBSC's Fintan Cairns has also secured continued support from weekly sponsors North Sails and UK Sailmakers Ireland. Also lined up as sponsors are two new weekly sponsors Drumshanbo Gin and Windyridge Garden Centre.
See Afloat.ie's photo gallery from the second race below. Results update to follow.