The 22nd of October was the first date in the 3 Saturday morning Super Series run by the Irish National Sailing Club.
MarineServices.ie as the RS agents are the event sponsors. The series, unlike other racing in Dun Laoghaire Harbour, offers unique sprint-style racing that sailors would not be accustomed to in their usual fleet events.
The series brings together Waszps, RS Aeros, RS 200s/400s and RS Fevas in a short windward leeward course, with two laps for the Waszps, RS 200s/400s and Aeros and one for the RS Fevas. Thus giving the ability to get in as many races as possible and giving sailors a new challenge.
The Irish National Sailing Club’s Super Series brings together Waszps, RS Aeros, RS 200s/400s and RS Fevas in a short windward leeward course
The morning started with race officer Kenny Rumball attempting to lay the racecourse out of the harbour; however, strong southerly gusts forced the decision to move the course inside the harbour in the hopes for more shelter.
The first race proved particularly challenging, with strong winds from the South/Southwest coming off the land. It soon proved too much for the RS Feva sailors who were sailing in the event as part of the previously reported Irish National Sailing and Powerboat schools initiative to stem the gap between training courses and racing.
The event started in the morning with 3 RS Aeros, 3 Waszps and 3 RS Fevas, with 1 more RS Aero and 2 Waszp joining after the first race. Shortly after the first race, the weather had different plans dying off, bringing light conditions and proving a real challenge for the Waszps who struggled to get enough speed required to foil. Thankfully as the wind continued to back, it increased again to a lovely 15kts.
The Waszp fleet was enjoying the fast foiling conditions
Roy Van Mannen and Noel Butler swapped 1st, and 2nd place finishes in the Aero Fleet. Sarah Byrne was in 3rd, with Daragh Mc Donagh sailing with the bigger 9 rig in 4th.
The Waszp fleet was enjoying the fast foiling conditions, Max Goodbody was very fast, but the persistent Marty O’Leary was always hot on his heels!
The Aero fleet was primarily sporting the new 6 rig that was developed to bridge the gap between the Aero 5 and the Aero 7. A major selling factor of the Aero is how easy it is to swap in between rig sizes. Sailors who may usually have opted for the slightly larger 7 rig in lighter summer air now have the opportunity to downsize just by a meter for the stronger winter winds. This allows Aero sailors of different sizes, genders, ages and fitness all to race competitively together and have the flexibility to change between rigs within a matter of minutes.
A fantastic day and we look forward to the next two races on Saturday, 12th November, and Saturday, 3rd December. We are happy to accept more entries for the remaining dates.
