#dbsc – A sunny morning greeted the three INSC boats in the 2013 DBSC Spring Series, however with a windy forecast and some strong gusts in the inner coal harbour, questions were asked, were we going to be going ahead? Kenneth Rumball, a skipper of one of three Irish National Sailing School boats reports on yesterday's outing.
The answer was of course we were! Keeping the same crews, everybody was eager to get out and experience the first of the series' big easterly swells with gust of up to 31kts, the decision to go for fractional kites only was the most sensible and logical option for every boat.
The course was announced of a start line just off the East Pier, a beat up to the Muglins Island with the Muglins itself being the weather mark, followed by a sprint downwind, a gybe around the pin end of the line and the yellow turning mark being our leeward before a short fetch to the finish line between 'Freebird' and the West Pier Lighthouse.
INSC 1 (Kenneth Rumball) and INSC2 (Noel Butler) started on the committee boat end of the line with INSC2 getting the better, clearer start but unfortunately then, they decided to do a spot of trawling, letting their kite fall over the side. INSC3 (Andrew Boyle) were just behind with clear air, allowing them to get going quicker than the others.
INSC1 went in close to the shoreline of Sandycove and Dalkey to keep out of the tide and also get into the flatter water allowing for improved boat speed. INSC 2 & 3 took a more offshore route. At our weather mark of the Muglins Island, we were greeted by a 3ft swell and a tide well on the way in. Nervous moments for all as we navigated the choppy congested waters to ensure a good rounding and ultimately a safe one, we witnessed some boats getting uncomfortably close to the rock.
The sleigh ride downwind is unbeatable in a 1720, turning the boat from keelboat to dinghy! Hoists on all boats were delayed as even the more experienced crew on other boats had trouble hoisting, A35s and J109s were seen broaching and crash gybing in the windy weather. All boats powered downwind even on the fractional kites with big grins on all crews faces.
Coming into the last mark, INSC1 was ahead but INSC2 held their kite longer, closing the gap between the two boats but the finishing order was INSC1, INSC2, INSC3. Tired crews gladly headed for the harbour mouth and the warmth of the National Yacht Club.
We're all looking forward to it again next week, with some crews wanting to put the big kites up in that breeze!
