Scotland's leading offshore skipper Jonathan Anderson seems to have gone native in Dun Laoghaire, as he registers himself and his J/122 El Gran Senor as racing for the Royal Irish YC in the crack Offshore Class of the 2023 Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta with 25 top-level boats battling for the honours.
The RIYC will be happy to have him on board, for although Frank Whelan's big canting-keel Elliott 57 Opal from Greystones took line honours in the 30-mile offshore seafest, it was El Gran Senor that corrected into BCT under IRC.
The first race of the VDLR offshore fleet saw a start at Omega; Muglins (S); Bray Outfall (P); South Burford (S); East Kish (S); Bray Outfall (S); South Burford (P), and a Finish between Dun Laoghaire's pier heads, a distance of 32 miles
Various outfall buoys are proving so useful in providing distant turning marks for this very special division that it's surely not beyond the wit of the powers that be to give them a new (fresh?) name that better fits their perception for sailors.
Robert Rendell's Grand Soleil 44 Samatom sports a flying jib on her close reach in from the South Burford to a finish line between pier heads at Dun Laoghaire Harbour in the first offshore race of the the 2023 Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta Photo: Michael Chester
Be that as it may, with three big boats in the first four, John O'Gorman's "little" Sunfast 3600 Hot Cookie (National YC) did well to place second, ahead of the First 50 Checkmate (Dave Cullen & Nigel Biggs, Howth YC) in third, and their clubmate Robert Rendell's Grand Soleil 44 Samatom in fourth.
The First 50 Checkmate (Dave Cullen & Nigel Biggs, Howth YC) Photo: Bob Bateman
The strong southerly winds are expected to continue for Saturday's races before moderating for Sunday's conclusion of the biennial event.
The Dun Laoghaire Motor Yacht Club, National Yacht Club, Royal Irish Yacht Club, and Royal St. George Yacht Club are organising the ninth regatta.
