Saturday, June 8th, brought the first of the 2024 waterfront regattas, which was hosted by the Dun Laoghaire Motor Yacht Club. All four Dun Laoghaire clubs agree on the format, and the sailing instruction is standard to all clubs. This year, the Dublin Bay Twentyones form part of the one-design keelboat schedule, which is windward/leeward courses.
Prior to the event, there was some concern at the weather forecast; however, by Thursday, the conditions looked to be favourable, albeit at the mid to upper end of the Twentyones range. As the day dawned the winds were North Westerly 14 – 16 kts gusting to 19 - 20 kts. Prior to embarking the four skippers agreed that reefing was the order of the day and following some teething issues soon all boats were reefed and ready for an exciting day on the water ahead.
The committee boat was on station out between Island and Poldy racing marks with the upwind marks laid between Pier and Molly. High spring tide was 13.48 and with a warning signal close to 12 noon there was still 2 hours of flood tide to factor in. The Twentyones were scheduled to have a combined start with Ruffians and Shipmans and a 3-minute warning system was in use which might have affected some starting tactics.
Ideal sailing conditions on Dublin Bay in the 2024 DMYC Regatta as pictured from the cockpit of a Dublin Bay Twentyone
At the start of the first race Garavogue had the best start but still had to work hard to make the pin end on starboard. Garavogue chose to stay on starboard, heading ashore to take advantage of the flood tide while Estelle and Geraldine went out to sea. Having had such a clean start, Garavogue was feeling smug until, on tacking back to port, saw that both Estelle and Geraldine were powering away ahead. Approaching the windward mark, Estelle had the lead, followed by Garavogue, with Geraldine close behind and Naneen some way back. Downwind places remained unchanged, and all boats took the port hand gate back up the port side of the course.
Garavogue soon tacked inshore, seeking a tide advantage and, arriving at the windward mark, swapped places with Geraldine in front. On this downwind leg Estelle held her lead while Garavogue, sailing a little higher and gybing before reaching the gate, just managed to keep in front of Geraldine. On the next beat, Garavogue steadily increased their lead on Geraldine and was reeling in Estelle, but still no change in positions. At this stage, Naneen was a full leg behind the rest of the fleet but gamely sailing on in very enjoyable, albeit shifty, conditions.
At the downwind finish Estelle held on to the lead for the last round although Garavogue had closed the gap somewhat. Geraldine was third and Naneen the back marker.
The race officer confirmed that a 2nd race would be held; however, they would relocate the finish to the windward mark to facilitate a shorter journey home. A 3 round course was set with the Committee boat then proceeding to station to the outer windward mark used for the Sportsboats, SB20, and Flying Fifteens while a rib would be on station at the inner windward mark to finish the fleets using that mark, including the Twentyones.
The start of race 2 saw Estelle having a superb start with power and pace while Garavogue just about made the pin end. By now the tide had turned so different tactics were needed with wind over tide on the beat. On the first beat Estelle held the lead, closely followed by Garavogue and Geraldine I that order with Naneen some way behind similar to first race.
Downwind and the 2nd beat brought no change, but the lead boats were keeping in close contact. Approaching the windward mark for the 2nd time there was a radio announcement that the course was being shortened such that the finish would be at the end of the 3rd beat instead of 3 rounds and a beat to finish as originally called. At the windward mark a rib was on station with flag S on display confirming the radio announcement.
At the last downwind gate Estelle was still leading but with Geraldine hot on her tail. Both headed out on port tack dualling with each other. Garavogue, initially following, soon tacked to starboard to go up the middle of the course and got advantage of a significant lift on that tack. Approaching the windward finish mark, Garavogue was now in good position against the other two who were still on port tack some way out and surprisingly not yet tacked for the lay line.
Garavogue tacked for the mark and was delighted with being 1st across the line in race 2. Meanwhile It was soon evident that Estelle and Geraldine were continuing upwind obviously heading for the Committee boat stationed on the outer windward mark. Naneen followed Garavogue example and completed her race taking second place. Over the radio came an announcement from the Committee boat of “this is not your finish” Geraldine still behind Estelle had the advantage of shorter distance sailed back to the correct finish line first claiming 3rd to Estelle’s 4th place.
Overall results from the 2 races at the 2024 DMYC Regatta
1. Garvogue 3pts
2. Estelle 5 Pts
3. Naneen 6 Pts*
4. Geraldine 6 pts
*Naneen is ahead of Geraldine by virtue of better result in 2nd race.
Many of the crew repaired to the DMYC for their regatta entertainment where excellent music, food and drinks were laid on. There was even a “Melody Boat” a wooden traditional sailing boat beautifully varnished from where an accomplished mandolinist accompanied by a fantastic singer performed for all assembled.
At the prize giving the Garavogue Crew were awarded 1st place and there being less than 5 boats in the fleet no other prize was awarded.
Many thanks to the DMYC organising committee led by Cormac Bradley and the host of Race officers and support volunteers for all the hard work which goes into making such events happen a superb job achieved by all!
All agreed that it was a great day on the water. The wind provided superb close racing and the reefed Twentyone fleet performed very well indeed, even revelling in the conditions. All look forward to the National YC Regatta next Saturday and the two Royals on 29 June and 6th July, with normal DBSC racing on 22 June.
DMYC Regata Garavogue winning crew
- •Aybike Tombak
- Fionnuala Rogerson
- Jane McGowan
- John Parker
- John Sugars
- Sean Doyle
