Patience on and off the water paid dividends as DBSC's Green Fleet enjoyed another competitive Thursday evening race despite an uncertain start.
Race Officer John McNeilly waited for a breeze to fill in after near-calm conditions around the Omega mark initially threatened to abandon racing.
A south-easterly eventually arrived, allowing a two-lap course to be laid using Island as the windward mark and Molly as the leeward mark.
The Flying Fifteen fleet got away cleanly after the SB20 start required a general recall, with a U Flag used for all subsequent starts as the ebb tide strengthened.
Sean Craig and Stephen Oram, sailing Flying Fifteen 3697, won the pin-end start and led the fleet up the opening beat. Ken Dumpleton and Joe Hickey stayed close throughout, while Alan Green and Caroline Hanniffy and Niall Coleman and Cormac Bradley also featured at the front of the fleet.
The tactical contest continued throughout the race as crews weighed up offshore and inshore options on both beats and runs.
Craig maintained his advantage to secure victory, although Dumpleton remained within striking distance to the finish. Green held off a late charge from Coleman to claim third, with Coleman finishing fourth and Peter Murphy and Ciara Mulvey completing the top five.
McNeilly's decision to delay proceedings until a stable breeze developed ensured another successful evening's racing in challenging conditions.
Flying Fifteen Results
- Sean Craig & Stephen Oram (3697)
- Ken Dumpleton & Joe Hickey (3955)
- Alan Green & Caroline Hanniffy (4026)
- Niall Coleman & Cormac Bradley (4008)
- Peter Murphy & Ciara Mulvey (3774)
Overall Standings (after two discards)
- Sean Craig & Stephen Boyle – 10pts
- Neil Colin & Margaret Casey – 46pts
- Alan Green & Caroline Hanniffy – 49pts
- Alastair Court & Conor O'Leary – 61pts
- Ken Dumpleton & Joe Hickey – 62pts
