It’s hard to imagine that racing in three knots of breeze could produce a thrilling finish, but this year's Elmo team racing Trophy final between ‘Nautibuoys’ and ‘Port Hub’ produced exactly that. After 148 races over the weekend, the final result was decided by inches at the Royal St. George Yacht Club.
The record 29 teams this year saw the very best of Dun Laoghaire harbour over the weekend, with spectacular conditions on Saturday allowing for 100 races across the 5 flights of firefly dinghies.
Race Officer David Bolger ably assisted by Team Racing Experts, Conal Casey and Liam Glynn fired off the races, maxing out at 20 races per hour. This led to the sailors quickly moving through the initial rounds and moving into seeded leagues for Round 2.
Team racing works best when teams of equal standards race and Round 2 saw some close, frantic races between the teams. The umpire team led by Ailbe Millerick and Eunice Kennedy had their hands full managing the on-the-water protests enabling racing to continue at pace.
A change over RIB for the quick change of teams at the Elmo Trophy
Elmo Trophy umpire Eunice Kennedy
By the close of racing on Saturday, the home team captained by Trevor Bolger were undefeated and looking good for success on Sunday. There were notable performances by the debutantes from Rathmullan Sailing club and the Topper class, showing that sometimes sailing fast is all that is needed.
Sunday morning dawned with lighter winds, and greyer skies as the race team looked to complete the 40 races needed to complete round 2 and move to the knockouts. The lighter airs saw a change in results, where at the top, the ‘Nauti Buoys’ and ‘Port Hub’ began to rise to the top.
At the end of round 2, the light winds vanished entirely as the sailors waited to start the knockouts and the organizers looked at their watches - time was running out.
Getting ready to race at the seventh Elmo Trophy - the biggest team racing event ever held in Ireland
Finally, 4 knots appeared, allowing for racing for the top 4 teams. The ‘knocked out sailors’ then took to the water to watch the action in spectator ribs. The ‘Nauti Buoys’ won their semi against ‘Boats and Hose’ leaving a team containing last year's runner-up and winner now fighting for third. ‘Port Hub’ won a closer semi-final as the clock moved on.
The final race saw the 6 boats racing hit the finish at the same time, where finish officer Frank Elmes and his team needed all their experience to call the result.
The Nautibouys took the title, a combined super team from Howth, Royal Cork and Royal Saint George. With youth on their side and another chance to compete again next year, they will be the team to beat!
The organisers aim for 36 teams next year at the 8th Elmo trophy on August 26th/27th.
Seventh Elmo Trophy winners
Winners: Nauti Buoys: Harry Twomey (captain) and Thea Daly; Archie Daly and Alana Twomey and Rocco Wright and Emily Conan.
Elmo Trophy second overall
Elmo Trophy third overall
