#dbsc – Being the Bank Hoiliday weekend there was no dinghy racing but the Dun Laoghaire Flying Fifteen class Captain Ronan Beirne used the opportunity to catch up on some of the more 'social' races that had been postponed during the season. There were a number of prizes up for grabs, the Captains Prize, the Lifeboat Pennant Race and a special prize put up by DBSC. Commodore Pat Shannon to mark the contribution made by the fleet to sailing in Dublin Bay particularly in introducing new people to the sport and in recent years where in difficult economic conditions the fleet have managed to maintain if not increase their numbers.
A good turn out of twelve boats had a perfect days sailing in sunshine and a westerly breeze, with racing located in Scotsmans Bay it was very shifty and a raging outgoing tide added to the tactics of the day.
Race 1: it appeared that the pin was biased, David Mulvin sailing with his son Conor and Mulligan sailing with Chris Doorly started there, soon the wind had shifted and those to weather had the upper hand, Mulvin cut his losses and went to the right but Mulligan held on waiting for the shift, eventually it came and he looked to be in a commanding position, as he got closer to the mark there was another shift and those on the right including Mathews and Coughlan were now in pole position. There was a meeting of boats at the nmark, Coughlin suffered as Mathews fouled, Mulligan took advantage and led down the run. On the second beat it was still very close, Mulligan went in left but the wind was on the right, he suffered and Mathews took a lead he was to keep till the end , Galvin was second, Coughlin was third and Mulligan fourth.
Race 2: the wind was stronger now, about 14knts, it would be interesting to see what lessons were learnt from the first race. The strong tide you had to hold back, Mulligan held back the most had a great start on the boat end just to weather of Mathews. But Mathews & Green were in good form and got ahead and stayed there to take their second win of the day. Luckily for others our class captain had decided that no one could win two prizes so there was still a lot to race for.With the shifts and different strength of winds on the track it was a difficult race, Mulligan was second but Sherry and Tom Murphy were snapping at his heals all the way around.
So Mathews & Green won the Captains Prize. Mulligan & Doorly the Lifeboat Pennant, Murphy & Kerel the Commodores Trophy, David and Conor Mulvin the Family Prize and Alex Cooper the Junior Prize. A special thanks to Class Captain Ronan Beirne and to the Team on Mac Lir for facilitating our racing on one of the nicest days of the year.
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