29 Water Wags turned out for the AIB DBSC race on Wednesday, August 28th, in Dun Laoghaire Harbour. The race was also the fourth and final race in the 2024 Water Wag National Championships as well as the Captain’s Prize race.
After a short AP due to a survey vessel departing the harbour, Race Officer Harry Gallagher set a three-round windward leeward course with a final fourth beat to the finish at the weather mark in a warm and sunny 10-knot westerly breeze with gusts of up to 15 knots.
The closing stages of the last Water Wag Race of the 2024 AIB DBSC season as viewed from the stern of the club's new committee vessel, Corinthian Photo: Ann Kirwan
Seán Craig on Puffin rounded the first weather mark just ahead of Cathy McAleavey sailing Mariposa and Conor Byrne sailing Hilda, crewed by his 8-year-old niece Kate. Puffin extended her lead on the second round, with Hilda rounding in second place ahead of Mariposa.
Conor Byrne sailed Hilda with his 8-year-old niece Kate Photo: Ann Kirwan
Going into this race, Adam Winkelmann on Mademoiselle was leading the National Championships after three races. With the discard kicking in after race 4, the contenders for the title of National Championship were Puffin, Mademoiselle, Swift and Moosmie.
Seán Craig and Shirley Gilmore cross the finish line in No. 52 Puffin to win DBSC series, the Captain’s prize and Water Wag National Championships Photo: Ann Kirwan
Waterwag Captain's prize winners were Shirley Gilmore and Sean Craig Photo: Con Murphy
Top 3 finishers (DBSC & Captain’s prize):
No. 52 Puffin, Seán Craig & Shirley Gilmore
No. 49 Hilda, Conor Byrne & Kate Walsh
No. 38 Swift, Guy & Jackie Kilroy
National Championships results were:
No. 52 Puffin, Seán & Heather Craig / Shirley Gilmore - 8 points
No. 38 Swift, Guy & Jackie Kilroy - 8 points
No. 15 Moosmie, John O’Driscoll & Sarah Dwyer / Shirley Gilmore - 13 points
Read also: Dublin Bay Water Wags: New Boat Wren Brings Fleet To 55
