Having had to postpone the Leinster Boats sponsored Kish Challenge on its original date due to a severe lack of wind, the sense was that the hosting of the event a week later might also be in jeopardy due to an excess of wind. The imminent arrival of Storm Amy late in the week with howling gales forecast for Friday and Saturday, extending into very early
Sunday morning meant that the Race Officer had to keep a close eye on when the winds might abate for Sunday in order to run the race.
By late Thursday and into Friday, both XCWeather, my "ready reckoner", and Met Eireann were both suggesting that the winds should moderate for Sunday but that robust winds were still around. An incoming telephone call the previous weekend with respect to a late entry led to a return call on Saturday afternoon, in the opposite direction, to ask if the projected forecast for race time would be an issue for the big boats? The answer was they would enjoy it!
Sunday morning came and while it was very evident that the wind had abated, there was still plenty of it around. Off the West Pier, on a handheld anemometer I was getting winds in the high teens gusting into the low twenties from a westerly direction. With high tide at 11:00 (approx.) the sea didn't look too intimidating. However, taking into account other wind readings and the fact that a westerly had been blowing for two/three days, the decision was taken to use another course rather than have the fleet face an upwind physical slog from the Kish.
The assembled fleet of 22 boats, from an entry of 65, were advised that instead on going to the Kish, they would be racing/cruising to the Bray Mark and back. The "turning mark" of the Muglins was stood down and the fleet were advised that they should stay east of Dalkey Island.
With a running start for everyone, the racing fleet crossed the start line at 11:00 and almost immediately spinnakers and gennakers were broken out, signalling that this wasn't going to be a conservative two-sail race. Nineteen boats raced the Kish Challenge and included in the fleet were high profile boats such at Aurelia, Valentina, Rockabill VI, Windjammer and Dear Prudence. The Ruffian 23s had a three-boat attendance as did the Shipman 28s.
Three boats took advantage of the opportunity to cruise to the Bray Mark and back.
Kish Challenge Race 2025 winner, Aurelia, on her way to the finish having rounded the Bray Mark. Photo by Pauric Bonny (DMYC)
The first three boats home crossed the finish line inside a time window of 3:59 with the finishing sequence being Aurelia (J122), Valentina (J122e Grand Prix) and Rockabill VI (JPK 10.80) and on corrected time, they all saved their places on handicap with Aurelia winning by a 7-second margin on corrected time with Rockabill VI 1:19 adrift of second place. The next three boats home, Dear Prudence (J109), Black Velvet (Beneteau First 34.7) and Windjammer (J97) finished inside a 5:43 window but were all leapfrogged on corrected time by Katanca (Elan 31) who finished 1:30 down on Windjammer.
The three Ruffians finished inside a 4:07 window with the finishing order being Ruffles (David Cutliffe), Sceal Eile (Enda Brennan) and Ripples (Frank Bradley).
The three Shipmans, one of which was sailed double-handed, needed a 12:42 window to finish, with a finishing sequence of Twocan (D Freeman), The Den (George Miller – double-handed) and Invader (Gerry Glynn).
Of the 22-boat fleet, all bar two sailed the course, with one DNF and a RET.
Ashore, afterwards in the DMYC Clubhouse, the decision to send the fleet to the Bray Mark was vindicated with one boat stating that throughout the race they had solid winds in the twenties with gusts into the low thirties. There were no adverse comments made about the change of course. It seemed everyone had enjoyed the race, despite the physical challenge.
The prize-giving was presided over by the RO, Cormac Bradley, with winners receiving their prizes from DMYC Commodore, Derek Gill, who crewed on the winning Ruffian. Prizes were awarded to the first three boats on corrected time, the first Ruffian, the first Shipman and the first (and only) double-handed crew. As the cruising boats can't "race" the event, an award was proposed for the best photograph taken on the race. A solitary photo was submitted from "Karka", taken by Pauric Bonny – Aurelia sailing back to the finish, after rounding the Bray Mark.
In opening the proceedings, Cormac Bradley thanked the sponsor, Ronan Beirne of Leinster Boats, who has now sponsored the event for four years and who also suggested the idea of having a cruising division for the event. Henceforth, the event will be known as the Kish Challenge.
“Aurelia”, 1st Overall (Corrected Time) with DMYC Commodore Derek Gill.
Valentina”, 2nd Overall (Corrected Time) with Commodore Derek Gill.
Rockabill VI, 3rd Overall (Corrected Time), with Derek Gill, Commodore
Club volunteers who formed the race management team, mark layers, DBSC Hut personnel, photographers, results processing and document drafting were thanked.
We also wish to record the cooperation of Dublin Port Company and Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council's Assistant Harbour Master without which the event can't take place.
We also thank Dublin Bay Sailing Club for the use of the West Pier starting hut.
This is the last event of the summer sailing season in Dublin Bay.
Pauric Bonny, Karka, Cruising Division with the award for the photograph competition, with Commodore Derek Gill.
George Miller (Shipman 28, “The Den) – winner of the double-handed division, with DMYC Commodore Derek Gill.
David Freeman, “Twocan”, Shipman Winner with Derek Gill, DMYC Commodore.
David Sutcliffe, “Ruffles”, Ruffian 23 Winner, with Derek Gill.
Prizgiving photos by Cathy Booth (DMYC).
