The AIB DBSC Turkey Shoot is heading for another substantial turnout on Dublin Bay, with 65 boats entered for Sunday's opening race on 1 November. Organiser Fintan Cairns hopes late additions will bring the fleet up to, or beyond, the 74-boat figure reported for last year's series by the 10.10am first gun.
The seven-race winter series, scheduled to run until 13 December, will bring together cruiser racers, sportsboats, one-design keelboats and adult sail-training crews from Dún Laoghaire's waterfront clubs.
Among the notable entries is Ulric Kenny's Sun Fast 3300 Razor Bill, alongside established competitors from the Irish Cruiser Racing Association and ISORA circuits. The two JPK 10.30s, John Malone's Loinnir and Justin Burke's ReQuest, renew a rivalry that saw Loinnir beat her sistership by just three minutes and 39 seconds on corrected time in August's ISORA Dún Laoghaire–Pwllheli race.
Nearly all of Dublin Bay's J/109s are entered, including boats from a class that has featured prominently in Afloat's J/109 coverage. The 2025 overall Turkey Shoot winner, White Mischief, was among last winter's leading performers.
Chris Power Smith's J/122 Aurelia, a 2026 Royal Alfred Super League class winner, adds further strength to the cruiser fleet. Aurelia and ReQuest were also leading contenders in the summer ISORA Irish Coastal Series.
Brendan Foley's Impala 28 Running Wild is entered, along with a number of J/80s and 1720 sportsboats. One-design entries include an RS21 from the Irish National Sailing & Powerboat School, together with Shipmans and Ruffians. Adult sail-training boats from the waterfront yacht clubs will also take part.
SB20 sailor Ger Dempsey is another entrant, fresh from the SB20 World Championships in Hyères, where he raced with Arten Baskin and Colin Galavan.
No Discards in Seven-Race Series
For the first time in the long-running winter competition, the 2026 series is to use a no-discard format, meaning all seven race results will count towards the overall standings. The change puts a premium on consistency over the seven Sundays.
Dalkey Island Course a Possibility
Early forecasts suggest a northerly breeze of around eight to 12 knots and a flooding tide on Sunday. Those conditions could open the way for the popular course to Dalkey Island and back, although the race committee's choice will depend on the weather and sea state on the day.
