A fleet of approximately 150 boats raced across the AIB sponsored DBSC Thursday programme on Dublin Bay, where a light south-westerly of 5–10 knots and a flooding tide provided classic midsummer conditions for Ireland's largest regular yacht racing programme.
The turnout came despite a number of regular DBSC crews competing at Cork Week, where several Dublin Bay boats remained in contention ahead of Friday's final races. Among them were Barry Cunningham's J/109 Chimaera, which held the overnight lead in IRC One and second overall John Maybury's Joker II.
Cruiser 0: Aurelia Tops IRC as El Pocko Takes ORC
Chris Power Smith's Aurelia won the IRC contest ahead of Tim Kane's WOW, with Sean Lemass's Prima Forte third. ORC honours went to El Pocko, relegating Aurelia to second and WOW to third after corrected time.
Cruiser 1: Something Else Leads Strong J/109 Charge
Leading Light: Brian Hall's J/109 Something Else on her way to IRC victory in Cruiser One during Thursday evening's AIB DBSC Summer Series on Dublin Bay. Photo: Afloat.ie
Brian Hall's Something Else led home a strong J/109 fleet, beating Chris Moore's Powder Monkey and R & T Goodbody's White Mischief in IRC. The same trio occupied the ORC podium, with Anthony Fox's Gringo fourth under both handicap systems.
Cruiser 2: Windjammer Holds Off Moonshine
Lindsay J. Casey's Windjammer claimed IRC honours from Fergus O'Sullivan's Moonshine, while Ian Bowring's Springer completed the top three. Paul Keelan's Cojones finished fourth after another closely contested race.
Cruiser 3 ECHO: Pamafe Wins Handicap Duel
Handicap Honours: Gerry Costello's Pamafe secured victory in Cruiser 3 ECHO during Thursday evening's AIB DBSC Summer Series on Dublin Bay. Photo: Afloat.ie
Gerry Costello's Pamafe took victory in Cruiser 3 ECHO ahead of Wyn McCormack's Wynward, with Kevin Glynn's Grasshopper 2 third and Michael Ryan's Saki fourth.
Cruiser 5A: Just Jasmin Completes IRC-ORC Double
Double Delight: Tim Costello's Just Jasmin completed an ECHO and ORC double in Cruiser 5A during Thursday evening's DBSC racing on Dublin Bay. Photo: Afloat.ie
Tim Costello's Just Jasmin completed a clean sweep by winning both the ECHO and ORC divisions. Colin O'Brien's Spirit and Bill Quigley's Misfits completed the ECHO podium, while Misfits moved up to second in the ORC standings behind Just Jasmin.
Cruiser 5B: Gemini Edges Ahead Under ORC
Peter Conlon's Witzend 2 won the ECHO division from Rodney Martin's Gemini and David Clarke's Fortitudine. ORC scoring reshuffled the order, with Gemini taking the win ahead of Menapia and Sweet Martini.
Beneteau 31.7: Prospect Leads the Fleet Home
Leading Light: Brian Hall's J/109 Something Else on her way to IRC victory in Cruiser One during Thursday evening's AIB DBSC Summer Series on Dublin Bay. Photo: Afloat.ie
Chris Johnston's Prospect took Beneteau 31.7 honours in Thursday evening's light-air race. Eoin O'Driscoll's Kernach finished second, with John Power's Levante completing the podium.
Beneteau 211: Yikes Extends Winning Run
Yikes, helmed by Team Yikes, continued its impressive form with another Beneteau 211 victory. Jimmy Martin's Isolde was second, while Pete Evans steered Anemos 2 into third.
Flying Fifteens: Farfalla Tops Big Fleet
Sean Craig's Farfalla led home another strong Flying Fifteen turnout, beating Neil Colin's FFuzzy into second. Philip Lawton's Puffling completed the top three.
J/80: Jester Continues Strong Form
Declan Curtin's Jester added another race win in the J/80 fleet. Owen Laverty's Red Cloud finished second, with Martin Ryan's Jambiya third.
Shipman: Twocan Wins Tight Contest
David Freeman's Twocan won the Shipman class after a close battle with William Maher's Joslim. Alain Deladiennee's Poppy secured third.
Sportsboats: Jester Claims Another Victory
Declan Curtin's Jester also topped the Sportsboat fleet, finishing ahead of Owen Laverty's Red Cloud and Martin Ryan's Jambiya.
Glen: Glenluce Leads Home
Ailbe Millerick's Glenluce claimed Glen class honours ahead of John Bligh's Glencree, with Alison O'Brien's Glendun taking third.
Dragon: Sir Ossis of the River Prevails
Denis Bergin's Sir Ossis of the River won the Dragon class. WhyWhyWhy?, sailed by H. Kelly and J. Conway, finished second.
Ruffian 23: Scéal Eile Turns the Tables
Turning Tables: Brendan Duffy's Ruffian 23 Scéal Eile reversed last week's result to claim class honours in Thursday evening's DBSC racing on Dublin Bay. Photo: Afloat.ie
Brendan Duffy's Scéal Eile reversed last week's result to defeat Ann Kirwan's Bandit, while Frank Bradley's Ripples completed the podium.
SB20: Carpe Diem Takes the Win
Colin Galavan's Carpe Diem claimed SB20 honours ahead of Gerrard Dempsey's venuesworld.com, with Jerry Dowling's Bád/Kilcullen finishing third.
