A 43–boat fleet are expecting an upwind start and winds gusting to 25–knots for tonight's 7pm Dun Laoghaire–Dingle Race at the National Yacht Club.
At start time, winds are expected to shift from a southerly to a south westerly direction and increase in what looks like an unstable front. Gusts are expected up to 30–knots tonight on the east coast. Winds are expected to go westerly tomorrow for the 275–mile race to County Kerry.
The record entry fleet of 45 is down by two boats that have withdrawn. Royal St. George's J122 Aurelia, a top ISORA performer, has pulled out due to rig problems and another J-boat, the Carrickfergus–based J133 Spirit of Jacana was delayed in getting to Dun Laoghaire due to weather.
At the National Yacht Club HQ, the Royal Ocean Racing Club has given input into race Sailing Instructions with a view to standardising documentation prior to the Dun Laoghaire–Dingle Race's incorporation into the RORC calendar for 2019.
The RORC's Janet Grosvenor and Commodore Michael Boyd (the weekend winner of the RORC's Morgan Cup race) will be in Dun Laoghaire to observe tonight's departure.
Read the full race preview by WM Nixon here.
Read also:
Dun Laoghaire to Dingle Race Tracker
Dun Laoghaire Dingle Race Form Guide: D2D Could Be Another J/Boats Triumph
Five Reasons Why Volvo 'D2D' is The Perfect Mini-Offshore Race
Dun Laoghaire Dingle Race Entry 'Exceeds all Expectations'
Dun Laoghaire to Dingle Yacht Race Gets National Yacht Club Turbo Power
WM Nixon will be posting regular race updates on Afloat.ie here