25 Water Wags turned out for the AIB DBSC race on Wednesday July 15th. The Wags were racing for the Jubilee Cup which is awarded to the overall winner for the season. They were also racing for the Sri Lanka Tankard (division 1a), the Sri Lanka Mug (division 1b), and the Meldon Trophy (division 2).
Northeasterly winds of 4-6 knots in glorious sunshine greeted the competitors and Race Officer Tadgh Donnelly set a 2-lap windward-leeward course for the 25 starters, and went into sequence.
With a minute to the start, the wind shifted and a number of boats would have been OCS as a result. Race Officer Donnelly called for the AP to be flown and, following a brief postponement when he relaid the start pin, he got the fleet away.
John O’Driscoll and Shirley Gilmore sailing Moosmie (no. 15) led at the first windward mark, with Sean and Heather Craig, sailing Puffin (No. 52), closely following, and Dermot Bremner sailing Nekhbet (no. 53) in third place.
As the already light breeze was dying, Race Officer Donnelly decided to finish the fleet at the gate after 1 lap. Craig passed O’Driscoll on the run and got the gun. O’Driscoll was second, and Rory Byrne sailing Cormac, no. 54, was third.
The Wag crews retired to the Royal Irish Yacht Club for refreshments and supper, while keeping a weather eye on the match in Atlanta.
Top 3 finishers:
1 Puffin (no. 52), Seán & Heather Craig
2 Moosmie (no. 15), John O’Driscoll & Shirley Gilmore
3 Cormac (no. 54) Rory & Sarah Byrne
