People often ask which is the most competitive fleet in Dublin Bay? You will be given twenty different answers, depending on who you ask. However, despite its venerable status, the Water Wag class is experiencing a boost in popularity, because of the competitive ‘large fleet’ racing on offer.
On Wednesday 4th July, the sun continued to shine, and the 10-knot wind with stronger gusts was blowing from an unusual direction, from the south-south-east. The race committee laid the starting line off the West Pier lighthouse with the windward mark off the East Pier bandstand. This created a conundrum for the competitors. Start at the pin end and find that after 200m you would have to tack onto port, requiring you to dip most of the fleet. Thus, the committee boat end was favoured by much of the 28 boat fleet. There was a start under a ‘Blue Peter’, under the ‘U’ flag, and under the ‘black’ flag before the fleet started cleanly.
After the first lap, the leaders were Stephen Tierney and John O’Driscoll visitors from the SOD class in Moosmie, followed by Cathy MacAleavey and Con Murphy in Mariposa which Cathy built herself, and our Olympic star, Annalise Murphy in Mollie.
One lap later it was Moosmie, Mariposa and Guy and Jackie Kilroy in Swift.
At the finish the order was;
45, Mariposa, Cathy MacAleavey & Con Murphy. Winner div. 1A.
15, Moosmie, Stephen Tierney & John O’Driscoll, 1A.
38 Swift, Guy & Jackie Kilroy, 1A.
41, Mollie.1A.
44, Scallywag, Dan O’Connor, Winner div.2.
1, Ethna, 1A.
3, Pansy, 1A.
9, Marie Louise. 1A
46, Mademoiselle, 1B. Winner div. 2.
36, Little Tern, 1A.
32, Skee, 1B.
24, Gavotte, 1A.
30, Sara, 1B.
20, Badger, 2.
47, Peggy, 1B.
33, Eva, 1A.
8, Barbara, 1A.
48, Dipper, 2.
16, Penelope, 2.
43, Freddie, 1B.
26, Nandor, 2.
4, Vela, 1A.
17, Coquette, 1B.
14, Phyllis, 2.
31, Polly, 2
34, Chloe, 2.
29, Patricia, 1A.
Even if it is not the most competitive class in Dublin Bay, it is certainly the most popular one-design class.
