Dublin Bay Sailing Club's (DBSC) penultimate AIB Saturday Series racing on 20 September produced tight contests in brisk north-west winds of 14–15 knots. Race officer Barry McNeaney oversaw the Cruisers Zero, One, Two and 4/5a starts, while Suzanne McGarry took charge of Cruisers Three.
In Cruisers Zero IRC, John Treanor’s J112e ValenTina from the National Yacht Club claimed Race 20 by a single second on 1:39:15 corrected. Chris Power Smith’s Royal St. George Yacht Club J122 Aurelia finished in 1:39:16, with Sean Lemass’ First 40 Prima Forte third on 1:44:42. WOW did not finish and Thursday's Series champion Rockabill VI was a non-starter.
Race 22 for Cruisers One IRC was a J109 affair and went to Brian Hall’s Something Else in 1:35:39 corrected. Richard Goodbody’s White Mischief followed on 1:35:55, with Barry Cunningham’s Chimaera third on 1:35:59. Six boats competed.
In Cruisers Two IRC, J97 Windjammer again topped the standings. Lindsay J Casey’s Royal St George entry led home in 1:17:57. Clubmates Richard and Philip Lovegrove’s Sigma 33 Rupert placed second on 1:23:14, while Jim McCann’s Mustang 30 Peridot from the Royal Irish was third in 1:23:53.
Cruisers Three ECHO saw Wynward take Race 21 in 1:18:04 corrected. Gerry Costello’s Pamafe was runner-up on 1:22:24, with Donal Heney’s Ceol na Mara third in 1:27:09.
The Cruisers 4/5a VPRS fleet delivered another win for Playtime. Phillips, Kidney & Curtis recorded 1:16:37 corrected. Peter Richardson’s Dehliverence finished second on 1:18:49, Charles Broadhead’s Persistance third on 1:20:09, and PJ Timmins’ Misfits fourth in 1:20:19.
Big fleet turnouts for DBSC keelboats and sportsboats
A busy Saturday on 20 September brought strong one design keelboat racing across Dublin Bay. Winds held steady from the north-west at 13–15 knots, giving race officers Barry McNeaney, Suzanne McGarry and Declan Traynor clear conditions for full programmes.
In the Beneteau 31.7 scratch fleet, Prospect, helmed by Chris Johnston, won Race 21. Kernach, helmed by Eoin O’Driscoll, was second. Michael Bryson’s Bluefin Two followed in third.
The Beneteau 211 class sailed two races. Seamus Storan’s Capilano claimed both Race 41 and 42. Peter Carroll and John Smith’s Yikes placed second in each, with Pat Shannon’s Beeswing and Jacqueline McStay’s Small Wonder sharing third and fourth.
Ruffian 23s saw Bandit (Ann Kirwan) lead Race 19. David Meeke’s Alias and Frank Bradley’s Ripples filled the podium. Brendan Duffy’s Scéal Eile was fourth, ahead of Ruff Diamond and Loco.
The Sportsboats (handicap) Race 38 went to Kevin Byrne on corrected time (0:41:36). Jambon was second on 0:44:14.
In the SB20 class, Michael O’Connor’s Ted topped Race 38. Ger Dempsey’s venuesworld.com and Nick Doherty’s Zephyr followed. O’Connor’s Ted also won Race 39 ahead of Zephyr and Barry Glavin’s SeaBiscuit.
There was no DBSC Flying Fifteen class racing as the class was competing for its national title in the north-west of the bay at a National Yacht Club-hosted event.
The last DBSC Saturday race of the 2025 season is on Saturday, September 27, 2025.
