#flyingfifteen – As the Flying Fitteen's get close to the longest day of the year, the DBSC PRO certainly made sure they had the longest race of the year in light N/NE winds with an extremely strong ebbing tide. After the excitement of going to the FF Northerns at Cushendall last weekend it was back to bread and butter racing on the Bay. This first series was won by Tom Galvin, with Alan Dooley second aided by guest driver Jonathan ORourke finishing one point ahead of Doorly/Green, Tom Leonard finished fourth.

Back to last night's race, the pin end was favoured, there appeared to be more wind uptide out on the left and the two boats that stayed left came in to the first mark first and second. Green missed the mark allowing Jonathan & Carol in to take the lead. Downwind Green went right and got through to lead but it was to be short lived as Jonathan regained it on the next beat.

The wind was light and it looked like we wouldn't finish within the time but we all kept going. On the last beat out to East mark, Jonathan covered Green all the way up the beat on the right side allowing Tom & Geraldine to hit the left side, where there was consistently more wind, Tom came in at the mark into second place and this was how it stayed, Jonathan first, Leonard second and Green third with series winner Tom Galvin fourth. Well done Tom!

This Saturday the NYC regatta takes place and we are expecting a large turnout.

#dbsc – BENETEAU 31.7 ECHO- 1. Kernach (Eoin O'Driscoll), 2. Fiddly Bits (Timmins/Quigley/Murray/Breen), 3. Prima Nocte (Patrick Burke et al)

BENETEAU 31.7 - 1. Prospect (Chris Johnston), 2. Levana (Jean Mitton), 3. Prima Nocte (Patrick Burke et al)

CRUISERS 0 ECHO - 1. Lively Lady (Derek Martin), 2. Loose Change (P Redden & M Mitton), 3. Wow (George Sisk)

CRUISERS 0 - 1. Wow (George Sisk), 2. Lively Lady (Derek Martin), 3. Loose Change (P Redden & M Mitton)

CRUISERS 1 - 1. Bon Exemple (C Byrne), 2. Raptor (D.Hewitt et al), 3. Black Velvet (Leslie Parnell)

CRUISERS 1 ECHO - 1. Jump The Gun (M.Monaghan/J.Kelly), 2. Black Velvet (Leslie Parnell), 3. Indecision (Declan Hayes et al)

CRUISERS 2 ECHO - 1. Bendemeer (L Casey & D Power), 2. Antix (D Ryan), 3. Peridot (Jim McCann et al)

CRUISERS 2 - 1. Bendemeer (L Casey & D Power), 2. Red Rhum (J Nicholson & C Nicholson), 3. Jester (Declan Curtin)

CRUISERS 3 A ECHO - 1. Huggy Bear (Doyle & Byrne), 2. Solidarity (Whelan/McCabe/Cary/Cramer), 3. Supernova (McStay/Timbs/Monaghan/Costello)

CRUISERS 3 A - 1. Huggy Bear (Doyle & Byrne), 2. Cartoon (McCormack/Brady/Lawless), 3. Hard on Port (F O'Driscoll)

CRUISERS 3 B ECHO - 1. Asterix (Counihan/Meredith/Bushell), 2. Taiscealai (B Richardson)

CRUISERS 3 B - 1. Asterix (Counihan/Meredith/Bushell), 2. Taiscealai (B Richardson)

DRAGON - 1. Diva (R.Johnson/R.Goodbody), 2. Zu (M Minch/C Grimley/T Pearson)

FLYING FIFTEEN - 1. Fflogger (Alan Dooley), 2. Mellifluence (T Leonard & B Mulligan), 3. Frequent Flyer (C Doorley/A Green)

GLEN - 1. Pterodactyl (R & D McCaffrey), 2. Glendun (B.Denham et al), 3. Glenroan (T O'Sullivan)

RUFFIAN 23 - 1. Ruff Nuff (D & C Mitchell), 2. Diane ll (A Claffey/C Helme), 3. Ruffles (Michael Cutliffe)

SB20 - 1. Should be... (Michael O'Connor), 2. Venuesworld.com (Ger Dempsey), 3. Probably (B Riordan)

SIGMA 33 - 1. Moonshine (R.Moloney), 2. Leeuwin (H&C Leonard & B Kerr), 3. Rupert (R & P Lovegrove)

SQUIB - 1. Kookaburra (P & M Dee), 2. Tears in Heaven (M Halpenny & G Ferguson), 3. Little Demon (Sheila Power)

WHITE SAIL CRUISERS ECHO - 1. Edenpark (Liam Farmer), 2. Warrior (D Shanahan), 3. White Lotus (Paul Tully)

WHITE SAIL CRUISERS - 1. Warrior (D Shanahan), 2. White Lotus (Paul Tully), 3. Persistence (C. Broadhead et al)

#sb20 – Nine SB20 sportsboats made it to the start line in beautiful sunshine and a gentle F2 south easterly for the penultimate race of the first Thursday series. With only a few points separating the top 3 boats and a second discard to be applied, it was still all to play for in the scrap for the prizes.

The fleet set off on a lengthy beat to Bullock into a strengthening flooding tide. The usual Dublin Bay conundrum of less tide inshore or more wind offshore faced the competitors with those boats avoiding the flat spots closer to shore faring best up the first beat. At the first mark, Manamana (Doug, Ronan et al) had weekend out a nice lead and a tidy hoist allowed them to extend away from the chasing pack. In second and third, Alert Packaging (Justin, Darren et al) and Venuesworld (Ger et al) were having an epic tussle with only feet separating them around the mark. A gap formed then to SacreBleu (Richard et al), Bad (Enda and Gerry), Probably (Billy, Ian and Mark), Should Be... (Michael, Owen and Gavan), Rubadubdub (Nick et al) and Smoke On The Water (Bob et al). Unfortunately for Smoke on the Water, a broken spinny sheet put paid to their race prematurely...

There were no significant changes down the first two reaches but the second beat turned the race on its head with massive gains and losses to be had. Venuesworld lost touch with the top two as Alert Packaging and Manamana pulled away from the fleet and match raced each other up the beat with the lead changing several times... (From a great, great distance it looked like a great battle!) Elsewhere, it seemed like there were place changes every couple of minutes with first of all Probably and then Should Be... nipping at the heels of SacreBleu and Venuesworld, and Bad falling back. Third around the second weather was Venuesworld followed closely by SacreBleu, Should Be... and Probably in hot pursuit.

With a run followed by another beat and two reaches (a good but very long course tonight!), you would expect that the fleet would have spread out a lot, turning the race into a procession however (other than the top 2 who were just crazy far ahead!), it is a testament to the evenness of the boats and the dogged nature of the competitors in the fleet that three boats (Bad, SacreBleu and Probably) went around the last gybe mark overlapped. Bad skillfully came out of that tussle with the bragging rights!

In the end, Alert Packaging snuck ahead of Manamana who gave them a terrific battle to the end and they were followed over the line by Venuesworld, Should Be..., Probably, Bad and SacreBleu in that order. Only one point separates the top two with third a further three points back so the stage is set for a great finale to series one next Thursday.

Just a reminder that the second Sunday series is about to begin with SB Sunday no. 4 on this coming Sunday, 12.30 first gun. This Sunday we are delighted to have Con Murphy filling in for Barry as OOD (big shoes to fill Con!) so looking forward to some great SB racing in the sunshine.

#dbsc – BENETEAU 31.7 - 1. Legally Blonde (C.Drohan/P.Egan), 2. Prospect (Chris Johnston), 3. Prima Nocte (Patrick Burke et al)

BENETEAU 31.7 Echo- 1. Prospect (Chris Johnston), 2. Prima Nocte (Patrick Burke et al), 3. Attitude (T Milner J Sugars M Branigan)

CRUISERS 1 Echo - 1. Jalapeno (P Barrington et al), 2. Joker 11 (John Maybury), 3. Dear Prudence (B Lyons & J Given)

CRUISERS 1 - 1. Jalapeno (P Barrington et al), 2. Joker 11 (John Maybury), 3. Bon Exemple (C Byrne)

CRUISERS 1 - 1. Jalapeno (P Barrington et al), 2. Joker 11 (John Maybury), 3. Ruth (L Shanahan)

CRUISERS 2 Echo - 1. Red Rhum (J Nicholson & C Nicholson), 2. Bendemeer (L Casey & D Power), 3. Jester (Declan Curtin)

CRUISERS 2 - 1. Red Rhum (J Nicholson & C Nicholson), 2. Bendemeer (L Casey & D Power), 3. Jester (Declan Curtin)

CRUISERS 3 A Echo - 1. Hamilton Bear (S Hyde), 2. Supernova (McStay/Timbs/Monaghan/Costello), 3. Huggy Bear (Doyle & Byrne)

CRUISERS 3 A - 1. Hamilton Bear (S Hyde), 2. Supernova (McStay/Timbs/Monaghan/Costello), 3. Quest (B Cunningham/J Skerritt)

CRUISERS 3 B Echo - 1. Capilano (Seamus Soran)

CRUISERS 3 B - 1. Gung Ho (G & S O'Shea), 2. Cacciatore (M Ni Cheallachain), 3. Asterix (Counihan/Meredith/Bushell)

DRAGON - 1. Zu (M Minch/C Grimley/T Pearson), 2. Diva (R.Johnson/R.Goodbody)

FLYING FIFTEEN - 1. Frequent Flyer (C Doorley/A Green), 2. Perfect Ten (A Balfe), 3. Kooigjug (K Dumpleton)

GLEN - 1. Pterodactyl (R & D McCaffrey), 2. Glendun (B.Denham et al), 3. Glenroan (T O'Sullivan)

RUFFIAN 23 - 1. Ruffles (Michael Cutliffe), 2. Carmen (B Duffy), 3. Shannagh (S.Gill/P.MacDiarmada)

SB20 - 1. Alert Packaging (J Burke D Burke), 2. Manamana (Smith\Downing\O'Reilly), 3. Venuesworld.com (Ger Dempsey)

SHIPMAN - 1. Poppy (Peter Wallis et al), 2. Curraglas (John Masterson)

SIGMA 33 - 1. White Mischief (Timothy Goodbody), 2. Gwili Two (D.Clarke/P.Maguire), 3. Springer (I Bowring)

WHITE SAIL CRUISERS Echo - 1. Warrior (D Shanahan), 2. Persistence (C. Broadhead et al), 3. Just Jasmin (Philip Smith)

WHITE SAIL CRUISERS - 1. Warrior (D Shanahan), 2. Persistence (C. Broadhead et al), 3. Just Jasmin (Philip Smith)

#dbsc – CRUISERS 3 Tuesday - 1. Capilano (S Soran), 2. Maranda (M Kelly), 3. Grasshopper II (K & J Glynn)

Ensign - 1. INSC2 (A Rumball)

FIREBALL - 1. No Name (S Oram), 2. No Name (B McGuire), 3. Blind Squirrel (Frank Miller)

GLEN - 1. Glendun (B.Denham et al), 2. Pterodactyl (R & D McCaffrey), 3. Glenshane (P Hogan)

IDRA 14 FOOT - 1. Slipstream (Julie Ascoop), 2. Dart (Pierre Long), 3. Doody (J.Fitzgerald/J.Byrne)

PY CLASS - 1. R Kenneally (Laser), 2. Colin Galavan (Laser), 3. Tom Murphy (K1)

RUFFIAN 23 - 1. Different Drummer (D Tonge), 2. Alias (D.Meeke/M.McCarthy), 3. Blue Moon (C Collins & B McCormack)

#dbsc – BENETEAU 31.7 - 1. Bluefin Two (M & B Bryson), 2. Magic (D.O'Sullivan/D.Espey), 3. Attitude (T Milner J Sugars M Branigan)

BENETEAU 31.7 ECHO - 1. Levante (M.Leahy/J.Power), 2. Fiddly Bits (Timmins/Quigley/Murray/Breen)

CRUISERS 0 ECHO - 1. Lively Lady (Derek Martin), 2. Tsunami (Vincent Farrell), 3. Wow (George Sisk)

CRUISERS 0 - 1. Wow (George Sisk), 2. Lively Lady (Derek Martin), 3. Tsunami (Vincent Farrell)

CRUISERS 1 ECHO - 1. Bon Exemple (C Byrne), 2. Boomerang (Paul Kirwan), 3. Powder Monkey (C Moore)

CRUISERS 1 - 1. Bon Exemple (C Byrne), 2. Gringo (Tony Fox), 3. Boomerang (Paul Kirwan)

CRUISERS 2 ECHO - 1. Antix (D Ryan), 2. Bendemeer (L Casey & D Power), 3. Red Rhum (J Nicholson & C Nicholson)

CRUISERS 2 - 1. Red Rhum (J Nicholson & C Nicholson), 2. Bendemeer (L Casey & D Power), 3. Utopia (J Healy)

CRUISERS 3 - 1. Cartoon (McCormack/Brady/Lawless), 2. Quest (J Skerritt), 3. Asterix (Boushel/Meredith/Counihan)

CRUISERS 3 ECHO - 1. Papytoo (M Walsh/F Guilfoyle), 2. Pamafe (M Costello), 3. Asterix (Boushel/Meredith/Counihan)

FIREBALL RACE 2 - 1. Licence to Thrill (Louis Smyth), 2. Blind Squirrel (Frank Miller)

FLYING FIFTEEN RACE 1 - 1. The Gruffalo (K Poole/I Mathews), 2. Fflogger (Alan Dooley), 3. Kooigjug (K Dumpleton)

FLYING FIFTEEN RACE 2 - 1. The Gruffalo (K Poole/I Mathews), 2. Fflogger (Alan Dooley), 3. A Mere Triffle (P Sherry)

GLEN - 1. Glenluce (D & R O'Connor), 2. Glendun (B.Denham et al), 3. Pterodactyl (R & D McCaffrey)

MERMAID RACE 1 - 1. Aideen (B.Martin/D.Brennan), 2. Jill (P.Smith/P.Mangan), 3. Tijuana (David Stedmond)

MERMAID RACE 2 - 1. Jill (P.Smith/P.Mangan), 2. Aideen (B.Martin/D.Brennan)

RUFFIAN 23 - 1. Bandit (Kirwan/Cullen/Brown), 2. Ruff Nuff (D & C Mitchell), 3. Ruffles (Michael Cutliffe)

SHIPMAN - 1. Curraglas (John Masterson), 2. Gusto (C Heath/G Miles), 3. Malindi (B.Smith/A.Gray)

SIGMA 33 - 1. White Mischief (Timothy Goodbody), 2. Gwili Two (D.Clarke/P.Maguire), 3. Popje (Ted McCourt)

SQUIB RACE 1 - 1. Anemos (Pete & Ann Evans), 2. Tears in Heaven (M Halpenny & G Ferguson), 3. Femme Fatale (V Delaney)

SQUIB RACE 2 - 1. Tears in Heaven (M Halpenny & G Ferguson), 2. Anemos (Pete & Ann Evans), 3. Femme Fatale (V Delaney)

WHITE SAIL CRUISERS ECHO - 1. Sweet Martini (Bruce Carswell), 2. Vespucci (S & K O'Regan), 3. Fortitudine (D & A Clarke)

WHITE SAIL CRUISERS - 1. Vespucci (S & K O'Regan), 2. Persistence (C. Broadhead et al), 3. Calypso (Howard Knott)

#sb20 – A gentle force 2 North Easterly tested the nerves of the SB20 fleet on Dublin Bay this evening in an increasingly treacherous flooding tide. 9 boats made it out to the start line this evening making it a new season record and it is very encouraging to see the numbers continue to build as we head into June writes Michael O'Connor.

A fairly square line was set (based on the fact that half the fleet maintain it was a committee boat bias and the other half of the fleet claim it was a pin end bias, we are just going to sit on the fence and say it was square!) and the boats were clean away at the first time of asking. A short beat to the centre of the bay with neither side of the beat proving heavily favoured meant that things were going to be fairly lively at the weather mark and it certainly didnt disappoint with Alert Packaging (Justin, Darren et al) coming in from the left and squeezing in ahead of Manamana (Doug, Ronan and Catriona) coming in from the right followed by a tightly packed bunch including SacreBleu (Richard, Ben and Matt), Bad (Jimmy Downling et al), Rubadubdub (Nick et al), Should Be... (Michael, Dave and Gavan), Probably (Ian, Mark and Caroline) and Smoke on the Water (Bob, John et al).

A broad reach to mark 2 with the tide pushing the fleet above the mark meant that the boats were walking a tightrope between going low enough to avoid a gybe back against the tide and high enough to protect their air. At the second mark, Alert held onto their lead from Manamana followed by SacreBleu. A tight reach (bleeuugh!) to mark 3 ensued (in fairness our first this year I think) so we will just fast forward beyond mark 3 because nothing ever happens in an SB on a tight reach! The beat from mark 3 was a tricky affair with patchy wind covering Dublin Bay meaning finding the puffs was essential with big gains and losses to be made on the beat. Probably made a storming surge up the beat getting herself into 4th place at mark 4, comfortably overtaking both Should Be... and Rubadubdub. Meanwhile, the first three boats were having a great tussle and Manamana refused to let Alert Packaging sail off into the sunset and SacreBleu clinging on to Manamana to set up a grandstand finish.

Another broad reach ensured that these boats compacted even further and some tense moments up the last beat followed. In the end, Alert Packaging held their nerve and grabbed the win by approximately 20 seconds from Manamana with SacreBleu a similar distance behind in third. Probably unfortunately couldn't get back in touch with the top three but took 4th comfortably from Should Be... with Rubadubdub 6th, Smoke on the water 7th, Bad 8th and Venuesworld (Rory et al) who had started late, closing worryingly close to the earlier starters in 9th.

After sailing, 19 sailors and friends gathered for the first SB social of the year in the NYC. A few pints were followed by a very pleasant sailing supper in the dining room of the NYC. Great value at €20 for starter, maincourse and tea/coffee. Although most didn't seem quite ready to let loose in typical SB20 style before the bank holiday weekend, there was plenty of banter and it was great to see such a good turnout. Thanks go to James Gorman for organising the event in the NYC. There will be an SB-Social dinner after sailing on the last Thursday of each month rotating around the clubs. Next up is the RStGYC on the last Thursday in June. Looking forward to seeing you all there!

Finally, a special mention is due for both Billy Riordan and Lorcan Burke who manned the line on Tuesday night, fulfilling our DBSC requirement for the year. 

Full results DBSC results here

#dbsc – BENETEAU 31.7 Echo- 1. Kernach (Eoin O'Driscoll), 2. Fiddly Bits (Timmins/Quigley/Murray/Breen), 3. Prima Nocte (Patrick Burke et al)

BENETEAU 31.7 - 1. Levana (Jean Mitton), 2. Prospect (Chris Johnston), 3. Prima Nocte (Patrick Burke et al)

CRUISERS 0 Echo - 1. Wow (George Sisk), 2. Loose Change (P Redden & M Mitton), 3. Lively Lady (Derek Martin)

CRUISERS 1 Echo - 1. Bon Exemple (C Byrne), 2. Jedi (A Sarratt), 3. Boomerang (Paul Kirwan)

CRUISERS 1 - 1. Bon Exemple (C Byrne), 2. Joker 11 (John Maybury), 3. Jedi (A Sarratt)

CRUISERS 2 Echo - 1. Antix (D Ryan), 2. Red Rhum (J Nicholson & C Nicholson), 3. Jester (Declan Curtin)

CRUISERS 2 - 1. Red Rhum (J Nicholson & C Nicholson), 2. Jester (Declan Curtin), 3. Bendemeer (L Casey & D Power)

CRUISERS 3 A - 1. Quest (B Cunningham/J Skerritt), 2. Cartoon (McCormack/Brady/Lawless), 3. Supernova (McStay/Timbs/Monaghan/Costello)

CRUISERS 3 A Echo - 1. Supernova (McStay/Timbs/Monaghan/Costello), 2. Huggy Bear (Doyle & Byrne), 3. Grasshopper 2 (K & J Glynn)

CRUISERS 3 B Echo - 1. Cacciatore (M Ni Cheallachain), 2. Wynward (W McCormack), 3. Gung Ho (G & S O'Shea)

CRUISERS 3 B - 1. Gung Ho (G & S O'Shea), 2. Asterix (Counihan/Meredith/Bushell), 3. Cacciatore (M Ni Cheallachain)

DRAGON - 1. Zinzan (Daniel O'Connor et al), 2. Phantom (D.Williams)

FLYING FIFTEEN - 1. Mellifluence (T Leonard & B Mulligan), 2. Thingamabob (T Galvin), 3. Fflogger (Alan Dooley)

GLEN - 1. Glendun (B.Denham et al), 2. Glencoe (Rose Mary Craig et al), 3. Glenmiller (P Cusack)

RUFFIAN 23 - 1. Diane ll (A Claffey/C Helme), 2. Shannagh (S.Gill/P.MacDiarmada), 3. Cresendo (L Balfe)

SB20 - 1. Alert Packaging (J Burke D Burke), 2. Manamana (Smith\Downing\O'Reilly), 3. Sacrebleu (B Fusco/R Hayes)

SHIPMAN - 1. Whiterock (Henry Robinson), 2. Gusto (C Heath/G Miles), 3. The Den (A. Costello/G.Millar)

SIGMA 33 - 1. White Mischief (Timothy Goodbody), 2. Popje (Ted McCourt), 3. Moonshine (R.Moloney)

SQUIB - 1. Perfection (Jill Fleming), 2. Chillax (Colin Galavan), 3. Anemos (Pete & Ann Evans)

WHITE SAIL CRUISERS Echo - 1. Nauti-Gal (J & J Crawford), 2. Fortitudine (D & A Clarke), 3. Warrior (D Shanahan)

WHITE SAIL CRUISERS - 1. Persistence (C. Broadhead et al), 2. White Lotus (Paul Tully), 3. Vespucci (S & K O'Regan)

#beneteau21 – The Beneteau 21 (B21) class association, which caters for owners of Beneteau 210, 211 and 21.7 boats is hosting an open day in Dun Laoghaire on June 7th. The new 'Dublin Bay 21' class featured in Winkie Nixon's sailing blog on Afloat.ie last season.

The B21 is emerging as a strong one design class where the racing is friendly and the ownership costs are low. The boast are versatile, being a good compromise between racing and weekend cruising.

The objectives of the open day are twofold. The first is to give people with a little sailing experience a chance to race on the Beneteau 21 and they might then become regular crew on one of the boats. The second is to give prospective owners and owners who don't currently race the opportunity to try out racing in a low pressure environment.

The format for the day is:

Meet 09:45 at the Dun Laoghaire Marina.
10:00 Briefing
10:30 Introductory sail on a Beneteau 21.
12:00 Raft up for lunch in the Royal St George Yacht Club
13:00 Leave to compete in the afternoon DBSC race (weather permitting)
17:00 Debriefing and a pint!

There is no charge for the day, however we are asking people to register by texting your name and email address to 087 1228665.

#dbsc – CRUISERS 2 - 1. Red Rhum (J Nicholson & C Nicholson), 2. Graduate (D O'Keeffe), 3. Bendemeer (L Casey & D Power)

CRUISERS 3 Tuesday - 1. Maranda (M Kelly), 2. Solidarity (Whelan/McCabe/Cary/Cramer), 3. Asterix (Boushel/Meredith/Counihan)

FIREBALL - 1. No Name (S Oram), 2. Incubus (C Power/M Barry), 3. Elevation (N.Colin/M.Casey)

GLEN - 1. Glendun (B.Denham et al), 2. Glenmiller (P Cusack)

IDRA 14 FOOT - 1. Slipstream (Julie Ascoop), 2. Dart (Pierre Long), 3. Dunmoanin (Frank Hamilton)

MERMAID - 1. Aideen (B.Martin/D.Brennan), 2. Jill (P.Smith/P.Mangan)

PY CLASS - 1. R Kenneally (Laser), 2. Colin Galavan (Laser), 3. D O'Connell (Laser)

RUFFIAN 23 - 1. Alias (D.Meeke/M.McCarthy), 2. Carmen (B Duffy), 3. Ripples (Frank Bradley)