The third race of the GBSC Dinghy Summer Series took place on Tuesday 10 June in ideal weather conditions with a fresh breeze.

Race Officer, Miriam Croke set a windward/leeward course. Gerry Murray sailing his FX1 took the line in the multihull fleet, having timed himself to hit the start line exactly on the gun.

Gerry Drudy, with Dympna Byrne on a 429, stole the monohull crown to gain a good start. They maintained a good lead for the rest of the race. There was close racing among the rest of the fleet but especially between Nicholas Burke and Cian Baynes both sailing Lasers. Seconds separated them for the duration of the race.

Cian managed to take the lead on the downwind leg only to lose it again at the gybe mark where Nicholas managed the conditions better for the gybe, thus ensuring a second place. Cian was third.

In the multihull fleet, Gerry Murray maintained the gain from the good start and sailed a superb race, especially on the downwind leg to take first place. Tony Murphy, also sailing a Dart 16, held firm throughout and with a perfect spinnaker hoist managed a minute lead over Bernard McCarthy also on a Dart 16. Aoife Lyons, veteran of the Arc Atlantic crossing, crewing for Eibhlin Scanlon, braved her first outing on the trapeze wire on a Dart 16, achieved some spectacular slips, slides, tangle and twists, plus narrowly escaped one ducking.

Multiple capsizes in both fleets added to the intensity of the racing. Several boats could not handle the pace and were forced to retire. Thankfully there are still plenty evenings left in the series for redemption!

The competitors thanked the race officer for a great course and enjoyable race, despite the hairy moments.

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