The Irish Dinghy Racing Association and other clubs may have made some of the significant input into the formation of the IDRA 14 Class way back in 1946. But these days Clontarf is the class's spiritual home, and it was here that the class's 70th anniversary was celebrated with a two-day regatta in 2016.
Clontarf Yacht & Boat Club will be celebrating its 150th Anniversary next year. But while the IDRA 14s' 70th back in 2016 was blessed with sunshine, despite the weekend's prevailing high pressure there was an overcast sky and light winds for the start of Clontarf's Santa Series on Sunday (Nov 3rd), which for some might be seen as the beginning of the countdown for the 150th Jamboree.
The Clontarf Y&BC building was originally a farmhouse called Belvedere. It became the summer seaside home of an affluent Dublin family, and then was modified to become the CY&BC clubhouse
Eight IDRA 14s took to the water for a 12.00 FG write Orla Doogue and Donal Heney. Race officer Andrew Semple took the sensible decision to set a short triangular course for the first race. Back sailing again after 12 years was 14/112 Sunshine in the hands of new owner Martin Reilly, recently joined member of CY&BC and the IDRA 14 class.
RETURNING BOATS
Also returning to the water since before Covid was 14/71 Atomic, helmed by Donal Heney. Joining these on the line were regular sailors Alan Carr in 14/38 Starfish, Paddy O'Kelly in 14/51 Mystery, Class captain, Ronan O'Brien 14/141 Shadowfax, and Brendan Murphy 14/123 Broken Fingers. Joey McGauran helmed project training boat 14/142 Cheeky Gin 14, with rookie, Gillian Flangan aboard. Adam Boland was bringing his newly acquired 14/160 Dragon back into competition after a number of years absence.
When the Poolbeg smokestacks were built in the 1970s, there was outrage, saying they'd be eyesores. But now, having been decommissioned for some time, they are listed structures, and lovingly preserved as visual focal points of the Dublin waterfront. The new Port of Dublin Greenway runs along the row of trees on the shoreline
SPINNAKERS MAKE DIFFERENCE
Spinnakers made the difference in the light airs with 14/38 crossing the line in 1st place under full sail. The gently freshening breeze facilitated a longer second race, again triangular. The fleet spread out after rounding the windward mark with 14/38 in the lead, followed by 14/71. These placings remained from jibe mark almost to the line, where Atomic was pipped on the line into 3rd place by Dragon in 2nd, and Starfish 1st once again.
The next weeks of the series promise even more competitive sailing. 14/118 Captain Scarlett helmed by club Commodore Claire Meany, and 14/166 Wicked Sadie, first wooden IDRA 14 built in over 40 years and launched in 2016, sailed by owner Ronan Melling, will both join the fleet.
Those who could get their spinnaker to set did well
AMABASSADOR TO HOWTH 50TH
Meanwhile, up the road in Howth Yacht Club, 14/128 also took to the water for the club's first day of the 50th Anniversary Dinghy Frostbite Series at HYC. A triangular course was set by the race management team for race 1. The PY fleet is very colourful this year with a 49er joining the newly acquired Melges 15s, Aeros amongst others alongside the ILCA fleet. The second race had a shift in wind and tidal conditions which influenced the race management team to set a windward Leeward course to suit conditions. Despite finding the mark roundings a little busy at times 14/128 finished the day in second position overall in the PY fleet.
DUN LAOGHAIRE CHALLENGE TO VIKINGS
Across the water as part of the DMYC Viking Marine Frostbites, Team Long were out in force to give their PY fleet a run for their money too. 14/161 Dart helmed by Pierre Long who will be joined by his family Paul and Remy as crew for the series completed two races against mostly Aeros and Fireballs. Placing 5th overall in the PY fleet after day one.
