Week 5 of the National Yacht Club’s frostbite series for Mermaids, Flying Fifteens and SB3s, sponsored by Derrycourt Cleaning, took place at the weekend in pleasant, sunny conditions and a south, south-east breeze with high water at 1.30pm. Despite it being the bank holiday weekend again, about 40 boats turned out for a great days racing.
After eight races and two discards, the FF series is finely poised, with only three points separating the top four boats. Green/Doorly lead, one point ahead of Poole/Marsden, who are tied with Mulvin/Beirne, with Coleman/Quinn a point further back in fourth.
| Full results |
Race 1 got going with a committee boat bias, but the individual recall flag went up and Green had to go back. The boats that went left came into the weather mark in the lead – Poole, followed by Burgess and Dumpleton. Behind them, Green went into the weather mark on port, causing the usual madness and upsetting some starboard boat. Turns were duly done and Mulvin, who had been obstructed, and Green had a lot to do.
On the second beat those out on the left had a bit more wind, with Dumpleton/ Cahill taking the lead and holding it comfortably to take the gun. Poole was second, Mulvin sailed really well and moved into third place with Green doing a ‘Lazarus’’ and getting fourth. Coleman was fifth.
Race 2 , and the pin end was biased. As the boats went out on starboard a couple had to go back as there was an individual recall flag up again. Not all went back, as they were to find out later.
Those who went towards the shore came out in front, with Coleman and Mulvin leading the way. Mulvin soon took the lead and held on in impressive style for the next three laps to take the gun. Coleman was second with Crummy third, Green fourth and Murphy fifth.
Jonathan O’Rourke comfortably won the Mermaid event and James Gorman the SB3, both of which finished on Sunday. The Fifteens have an eagerly awaited showdown next Sunday!
Chris Doorly
