#flyingfifteen – On a great evening for sailing on Dublin Bay with an incoming tide and winds from the west varying from 10–knots to gusts of 25 the Flying Fifteen fleet turned out in good numbers again with 13 boats competing. The pin end appeared to be biased at the start but the wind flicked which made it more square. Murphy, Colman and Balfe were quick off the start at the pin end with Ben Mulligan sailing with Chris Doorly tonight in Frequent Flyer starting in the middle of the line.
The boats all headed towards the shore up towards Harbour mark. Mulligan went closest to the shore on the lay line and got to the mark first, with the spinnaker up quickly they pulled ahead in the strong gusts. Behind Colman was next followed by Balfe and Mulvin. Mulvin also caught the gusts and overtook Colman on the way down to Island mark. On the long beat to Bay mark Mulvin went inshore but Mulligan decided not to cover and stayed on the right playing the shifts and heading towards some dark clouds which brought plenty of wind.
This is how it remained as the fleet sailed out to East mark and up to the finish. Mulligan took the gun comfortably, Mulvin was second, Colman third and Murphy just pipped Balfe on the line to take fourth place. Colman & Quinn still lead the Series with consistant sailing in the first month.
Well done to the PRO Jack Roy and his team on Freebird for a good race in great conditions. After racing the Fleet has an organised dinner at the NYC where class captain Ronan Beirne presented some spot prizes.
This Saturday the DBSC series continues. Results here.
