Saturday morning’s Irish National Sailing Club's Super Series attracted four RS Aeros (three 6s and a 7) and had five tight two-lap windward-leeward races writes Noel Butler.
Conditions were gusty and shifty, with everything from 10-20 kts in a very mild, almost warm southerly. Race Officer Kenny Rumball and his team of Heather Wright and INSS staff did a great job of putting the weather mark right on the median wind direction and running the races off sharply, minimising any waiting, even starting the Aeros while the other fleets were still racing.
The Super Series is unique to other racing offered in the bay as, unlike in the winter DMYC frostbites and DBSC summer series, the Aeros have their own start, as races are short and run as a sprint style this is a perfect opportunity for training for the larger national and regional events.
This Saturday saw the addition of three Fevas from the Irish National Sailing Schools Feva development squad, as the super series has the ability to run form both inside and outside the harbour depending on conditions it allows for an extremely safe environment for the young sailors, Coach Roann Mooney joined in a rib as a safety boat while also providing some coaching between races. The Short sprint style racing is such an amazing opportunity to gain vital experience in racing and developing skills first hand in a safe, fun and friendly environment while also providing a competitive element.
After plenty of thrills and spills, we adjourned back to the INSS terrace café for a hot drink and delicious gourmet sandwiches/wraps and some de-brief and gentle slagging, comparing capsizes and such!
Apart from the racing, this really was excellent training on par with the afternoon session in Howth the Friday before the Easterns. In my view, this sort of racing is the quickest way up the learning curve for anyone keen to make progress. For anyone who wants to get some intense Aero racing in a safe and friendly environment, the next race day is on Saturday, December 3rd, first start 10am.
