Several J-boat designs are among favourites for Saturday's first ISORA cross-channel race of the season from Dun Laoghaire to Pwllheli.
Ten Welsh entries, including the new J122 Mojito, will swell the fleet to over 20 when they set sail from the Dun Laoghaire line under National Yacht Club Race Officers Barray MacNeaney and Larry Power at 8 a.m. on Saturday for an all-in classes start.
The selection of six Js racing ranges from 41 to 31 feet and includes a J125, a J111, two J122s, a J109 and a J97.
Two entries are from Bangor in Northern Ireland: Alan Hannon's JPK1030 Coquine (above) and the X-Yacht, Excession for ISORA's first cross-channel race of the season from Dun Laoghaire to Pwllheli on Saturday morning Photo: Afloat
Two entries are from Bangor in Northern Ireland: Alan Hannon's JPK1030 Coquine and the X-Yacht, Excession
J109 Indian from Howth and J122 Aurelia from the Royal St. George Yacht Club in ISORA's first cross-channel race of the season from Dun Laoghaire to Pwllheli on Saturday morning Photo: Afloat
The Simon Knowles skippered J109 boat is a double winner in ISORA's April coastal mini-series, winning both races in light to medium airs that look likely to be repeated in this weekend's race to Wales but the HYC campaign is not racing cross channel.
The J125 Jackknife from Pwllheli Sailing Club is one of ten Welsh entries in ISORA's first cross-channel race of the season from Dun Laoghaire to Pwllheli on Saturday morning Photo: Afloat
Weather forecasts say southerly winds ranging from 7 to 17 mph can be expected for the crossing.
The JPK 10.80 Rockabill VI is the defending ISORA champion and will be on the line for Saturday's first cross-channel race of 2024 Photo: Afloat
With six weeks to go to the Round Ireland Race start and with much of the ISORA fleet using Saturday's 90-miler as a warm-up, it will also be the first time this season that the Welsh and Irish boats have raced against each other.
Although the published entry list (below) says 21, there have been a number of cancellations such as John O'Gorman's Sunfast 3600 Hot Cookie. Also, not racing is the Greystones canting keeler, the Elliott 57.
Meanwhile, there is still no final date for the postponed first April Dun Laoghaire coastal race to complete the four-race series.
"It’s been [racing] every weekend since early April. I expect it will be held during the midsummer lull, ISORA's Peter Ryan told Afloat.
ISORA Race 8 Saturday 11th May 2024 - Dun Laoghaire to Pwllheli entries
Sailing Instructions are downloadable below.
