Simon Knowles and Colm Buckley's J109 Indian appeared out of the Dublin Bay mist to win ISORA's Race Five of the Viking Marine Coastal Series on Dublin Bay today.
The Howth crew wrestled the lead from Paul O'Higgins in the JPK10.80 Rockabill VI, who finished second overall. Third place overall was taken by John O 'Gorman's Sunfast 3600, Hot Cookie.
Of the 12 starters, five boats retired from the 19-mile course. Conditions were light for most of the race, with some freshening of the 3-5 knots from N/NE breeze near rain showers.
The ISORA fleet looks for signs of wind as they cross Scotsman's Bay shortly after the start of the 0800 hrs start of Race Five of the Viking Marine Coastal Series in Dublin Photo: Afloat
Crews opted for an early start in order to cheer on Leinster's victory at the Aviva stadium, so the first gun was at 0755hrs for Class 2 and 0825 hrs for Class 0 & 1.
The fleet sailed from Dun Laoghaire to an ISORA virtual mark, to the Muglins, to the Shanganagh (Killiney) Outfall buoy, to North Kish, to an ISORA virtual mark, and back to finish at Dun Laoghaire.
Pete Smyth's Sunfast 3600 Searcher on starboard and Robert Rendell's Grand Soleil 44 Samatom (left) and ISORA April mini-Series winner, Rockabill VI (Paul O'Higgins) in today's light air ISORA Race Five Photo: Afloat
With two wins from two starts, Rockabill VI was the on-form boat to complete three from three in the April mini-series, but even though O'Higgins took the new series overall, the Knowles crew spoiled the perfect scoresheet by taking today's overall IRC win, the Class One win and third place in line honours.
