The J109 East Coast Championship this weekend at the National Yacht Club on Dublin Bay comprises a coastal race on Saturday and three windward/leeward races on Sunday under international race officer Con Murphy.
2018 winner Andrew Algeo has moved on to a J99 but there will still be a strong fleet in this very competitive class and you can expect top Dun Laoghaire boat, Tim Goodbody’s White Mischief from the Royal Irish is expected to lead the charge but look out also for Goodbody's clubmate and J109 class captain Andrew Craig’s Chimaera.
Tim Goodbody's White Mischief from the RIYC Photo: Afloat.ie
From the host club, the Hall father and son team in Something Else, and Paul Barrington’s team in Jalapeno will also be in the mix.
Andrew Craig's Chimaera from RIYC Photo: Afloat.ie
Offshore specialists, the Shanahans in Ruth, also from NYC, are likely to feature as leading contenders in the coastal race while the event will be the first outing for Richard Colwell and John Murphy in their new acquisition Outrajeous.
John and Brian Hall's Something Else from the National Yacht Club Photo: Afloat.ie
At the recent Howth spring warmer weekend, where Outrajeous came up against J109’s Storm and Indian in a three-race series, Outrajeous came out ahead of both. In that event, Class 2 was included with Class 1 and Nigel Biggs Half tonner, Checkmate won overall with Outrajeous second. Storm finished 4th and Indian 5th overall. results are here.
Pat Kelly's Storm from Howth and Rush will not compete this weekend on Irish waters as the past champions are racing at Kip Regatta in Scotland Photo: Afloat.ie
North Sails Ireland, Bushmills and Porterhouse continue their generous support for the Irish J109 class.
There will be three windward/leeward races on Sunday in the J109 Eastern Championships Photo: Afloat.ie
