Report on Race 3 – Dun Laoghaire to Holyhead

After the last two gruelling races the weather was not looking kind for the Race 3 from Dun Loaghaire to Holyhead. Northerly gales for the previous two days whipped up the sea to such a state that berthing for the visiting competing boats at the NYC prior to the race was impossible.

The weather forecast for the race was not much better. Northerly possibly going north easterly later force 4-6 was predicted.

The Sailing Committee discussed the options for the course and decided to use a “Virtual Mark” for the first time in an ISORA race.

The course was set to go from the start at Pier mark direct to the virtual mark located at N 052 54.000 W 005 15.000 – east of Wicklow and approximately mid way across the Irish Sea. Boats rounding the virtual mark would then go direct to Holyhead.

The tide was ebbing south at the start of the race. However, technical issues with the starters RIB caused the race to be postponed for approximately 50 minutes.

20 boats came to the start area for NYC Commodore, Larry Power, to send them on their way. The first leg was a tight reach which kept much of the fleet bunched. The weather forecast, while the direction was as predicted, the wind strength only varies from 8 to 14 knots. With the tight reach and the ebbing tide, the fleet sailed directly for the virtual mark.

There was a 90 degree rounding at the mark and it would appear that all boats were meticulous in the care taken to round the mark. The leg to Holyhead was a beat. As the first boat “Jackknife” rounded the mark followed by the J109’s “Ruth”, “Mojito” and “Sgrech” closely bunched and “Axiom” Pipedreamer and “First of September” all round together. At that stage the tide was still flowing strongly south as the leaders beat towards Holyhead against the tide.

At this stage the fleet split and the new flooding tide helped the fleet towards Holyhead. “Jackknife” lead the fleet towards Holyhead with the three J109s bunched together behind.

Strange things happen at the “Stacks” on the approach to Holyhead. As the leaders approached the Stacks in 18 knots of wind, it was hoped that the last of the flooding tide would shoot the leaders up to the finish line. This did not happen. Serious back eddies at the Stacks slowed the fleet down and caused mayhem between the battling J109s. “Jackknife” held pole position. “Ruth” who was ahead of “Mojito” and “Sgrech” lost their lead after a huge header forced them to tack. None of the nearby pursuant boats experienced the change in wind direction and “Ruth” slipped behind “Mojito” and back towards “Sgrech”. It was “Mojito”s turn to experience the affects of the Stacks when they sailed into a hole and practically stopped. Just for a short moment things were looking good for “Sgrech” as “Ruth” powered up with their huge Code 0 was being forced under the Stacks and into the same hole. This was not to be, as the hole disappeared just a quickly as it appeared and the two J’s roared towards the finish under their Code 0. “Sgrech” with no Code 0, was unable to match their speed.

“Jackknife” crossed the finish against the strong tide getting line honours followed 20 minutes after by “Mojito” pursued by “Ruth” three minutes behind and “Sgrech” just over one minute behind them. At this stage the weather had deteriorated and all boats finished in lashing rain and strengthening winds. The following boats had to deal with the higher winds and poor visibility. However, the wind for the last boats to finish had disappeared causing them even more difficulties in trying to plug the strong south going tides. The last boat finished at 01.47.

“Mojito” took overall and Class 1. ISORA new comer “Big Deal” a two handed boat from Foynes Yacht Club took 2^nd place overall and 1st in Class 2. “Yahtzee” took the Sliver Class.

The Predict Wind Tracker was used with 18 of the boats registering. The result was relatively successful but with some snags to be sorted out. The race can be followed at this link: http://forecast.predictwind.com/tracking/race/ISORA

Early the next morning many of the fleet headed off the Liverpool for the Offshore Weekend that starts with the “Midnight Race on Friday the 6^th June from Liverpool to Douglas in the IOM. This race is followed by a race on the Sunday 8^th June from Douglas to Dun Laoghaire. It is hoped that these two races will be well supported and will give more good night racing experience to those taking part in the Round Ireland race.

The provisional results for Race 3 – Dun Laoghaire to Holyhead – Saturday 24^th May – (100 mile offshore) - here.

The race report wil follow shortly