Royal Irish's Rockabill VI Has Closure On Class 0 Title at Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta 2023

9th July 2023

WM Nixon

Paul O’Higgins’ JPK 10.80 Rockabill (RIYC) celebrate their IRC Zero win at Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta on Sunday Credit: Michael Chester

The final two-race day of Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta 2023 went through with increasing speed as slowly brightening skies were matched by a steadily rising southerly - a sou’easter to seaward of the harbour, but distinct overtones of a sou’wester up the bay.

Paul O’Higgins’ JPK 10.80 Rockabill (RIYC) and a the VDLR Prizegiving below. Skipper Paul O'Higgins is pictured standing second from right with cap Photo: Michael Chester

Cruiser 0 was one of the classes to take it right to the wire for the final contests, but by winning the first of today's (Sunday’s) two races by 46 seconds from closest contender Pete Smyth with the Sunfast 36000 Searcher (NYC), Paul O’Higgins’ JPK 10.80 Rockabill (RIYC) could live with a discarded third in the final race, when Brian Dixon’s Corby 36 Gelert from Pwllheli was first across the line ahead of Searcher.

Pete Smyth with the Sunfast 36000 Searcher (NYC) Photo: Michael Chester

The Smyth boat corrected into the race lead with Gelert up in lights in second, but with Rockabill keeping strategic tabs in that dumped third, it was already settled.

Final points were Rockabill VI on 8, Searcher (NYC) on 10, Patrick Burke’s First 40 Prima Forte (RIYC) third on 23, and Johnny Treanor’s J112eGP ValenTina (NYC) fourth on 24.

Johnny Treanor’s J112eGP ValenTina Photo: Michael Chester

Published in DL Regatta: Cr 0, Royal Irish Yacht Club, Volvo Regatta

Published in DL Regatta: Cr 0

Tagged under

Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta

About The Author

WM Nixon

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William M Nixon has been writing about sailing in Ireland for many years in print and online, and his work has appeared internationally in magazines and books. His own experience ranges from club sailing to international offshore events, and he has cruised extensively under sail, often in his own boats which have ranged in size from an 11ft dinghy to a 35ft cruiser-racer. He has also been involved in the administration of several sailing organisations.

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