4 competitors arrived for the 3rd Southcoast C’ships Fergal (TS2) and Des (Disco)
From Howth YC travelled from Dublin and were joined by John (Cockatoo) and Andrew
(Isis) from the home club. The paucity of numbers was due to a combination of factors-
on another day were could have had 10 boats. However the lack of numbers was more
than compensated by competitive racing, 9 races, a bright sunny day with 5-15 knots
of wind and ‘A’ rigs all day. John started well winning the first few races with
Fergal not far behind. Andrew after a slow start however came through well to win
the series with the final tally for 9 races (including iscard) of 16 points, John
in 2nd with 18 points, Fergal 3rd with 21 and Des 4th with 29.
The race area was upriver and sailed either side of slack water. The incoming tide
at 1-2 knots coming from left to right coupled with the competitors area on a small
marina downwind with the topmark close to a mudbank on the far bank 100 yrds away
made for some interesting boat handling. Thankfully the river wasn’t too busy and
the crashboat hardly used. All agreed that this was an area which the fleet could
readily sail from it being the 2nd time we had used it.
After the racing the boats decamped and showed off in front of the RCYC clubhouse.
Other sailors were generously offered the use (under supervision) of the IOMs and
hopefully we might increase the fleet. It can be tough going!!
Andrew Crosbie
