In many ways, the competition on the Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta offshore race series was the most interesting of all even with only three races, as the limited number of contests was more than offset by the variety in size and type of boats racing. And in the end with today's (Sunday’s) final three-hours-plus race, Nigel Biggs and Dave Cullen of Howth with the hefty First 50 Checkmate XX took it overall by clinching Race 3 by just 21 seconds from Jonathan Anderson’s J/122 El Gran Senor, which in turn was just 41 seconds ahead of Andrew Hall’s J/125 Jackknife which then was a mere 31 seconds ahead of the Pwllheli/Royal Dee J/109 Mojito (Vicky Cox & Peter Dunlop).
The J/109 Mojito (Vicky Cox & Peter Dunlop) Photo: Michael Chester
Overall, Checkmate XX has it in 6 points to the 8 of El Gran Senor, and the 10 of Mojito, which tied with John O’Gorman’s Sunfast 3600 Hot Cookie (NYC), but took the place using “The System”. Secret systems or not, the Offshore Class gave some of the best racing of all.
Jonathan Anderson’s J/122 El Gran Senor with Nobert Reilly's new J111 Ghost Raider following with red kite Photo: Michael Chester
In Saturday's 30-mile offshore race J125 Jackknife leads the Grand Soleil 44 Samatom back into Dublin Bay Photo: Afloat
The final 2023 Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta coastal race started in a rain squall in Scotsman's Bay and headed out from Sandycove Point (below) on a 22-mile course
