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GBSC Spring Dinghy Series E-mail
Written by Staff Reporter   
Wednesday, 04 June 2008

Tuesday saw 20 boats form the mono and multihull fleets compete in the final race of the Tuesday Spring Dinghy series. Race Officer, Noel Harvey,organised a Committee boat start and set a perfect Olympic course for the conditions. The wind was expected Northerly but backed North-West just before the start.

The squally conditions and white horses made for a difficult start. Those hotly contesting their positions wanted to hit the start line at the exact second Gerry Drudy and Dympna O'Beirne who were expected to bag the race in the mono hull fleet however had a bad start as they were luffed up just as they approached the line. Vincent Jordan made good headway as he got cleanly ahead at the favoured end. He pulled off a good lead and maintained it up to and after the first mark at the Spit.

In the Multi hulls Gerry Murray made a great start with himself and Tim Breen closely competing for the clean break. Both fleets had a fast beat out to the first mark with many boats finding it difficult to maintain boat speed in the shifting gusts. Vincent's Stratos sailed well on the downwind leg having the advantage of an asymmetrical spinnaker. He was hotly pursued by Cormac Fahy. Several boats encountered difficulties at the gybe mark as the gusting winds and squalls made for difficult boat handling. Many of them capsized at this stage. Luckily the rescue boats were on hand to offer assistance if required.

Righting the boats in these conditions took some energy but the sailors, undaunted continued the race. At this stage Gerry Drudy had managed to overcome his bad start and with skilful boat handling while Dympna was on the trapeze they made gerat progress and overtook the lead boats sailing on to win the race. They also took the series.Second place went to Vincent Jordan. In the multi hull fleet Gerry Murray won the series with Tony Murphy in second.

All the competitors thanked the Race Officer for the series and also the rescue boat drivers.


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