After a calm, windless start to the day, there were perfect conditions by race time for the 12 Flying Fifteens in what was the first DBSC Saturday series. Dave Gorman & Chris Doorly (NYC) were in good form, winning both races, but racing within the fleet was close as usual. With an increasing easterly breeze and an incoming tide, the fleet got off to a clean start.
Tactically, it was tricky: do you go out to potentially more wind, or in to less tide, with the possibility of the wind clocking more southerly, as can be the case.
In Race 1, Niall & Laura Coleman had a good start near the committee boat, forcing Gorman to tack inshore. This proved to be a good move as the wind had clocked and he had a good lift to lead at the weather mark, closely followed by Miller/Booth, Lavery/Balfe and Little/Arrowsmith. Next time round, there were a few changes, but Gorman stayed ahead to win with Lavery second, Miller third and Peter Murphy fourth.
Given it was the first day for many, there were a few repairs and spinnaker issues to sort between races, but Race 2 got off cleanly with the Meaghers getting a good start. Tactically, it was much the same again but different as the wind shifted from time to time, allowing some gains to be made.
The Little/Arrowsmith combination went out to sea with Gorman going to the shore side again. Gorman crossed Little, but Little managed to sail down over Gorman as they approached the weather mark and took the lead, but alas, it was short-lived as Gorman gybed inside to take the lead, which they held onto for the 3-lap race to the finish. Little/Arrowsmith finished second with Mulvin third and Miller fourth.
