The Squib Fun Day 2009- Dublin Bay.26th. September 2009.
The Squib ‘Fun Day’ was organized by Michael O’Connor, Captain of the Dun Laoghaire fleet and Mary McLoughlin the social secretary from the Royal St. George Yacht Club.
The sailing instructions were quite clear:
a) Prizes would be awarded for ‘Fun’ presentation of boat and crew.
b) No limit on the number or age of the people in each boat.
c) The race would be from Dun Laoghaire harbour, around Dalkey Island about 2 miles away and back to the start/ finish line at Dun Laoghaire.
d) ‘Special needs’ competitors were to be encouraged.
e) Regular helmsmen or women not permitted to sail.
Equinoxial gales were not on the day of the day- with a high pressure area stretching from the Azores to Dublin Bay. The wind was initially from the south west which would allow for a perfect spinnaker reach to the island against the tide, but then, at 14.00hrs., just before the start, the wind disappeared completely and the 13 boats had some difficulty getting to the starting area without a tow. Typically for Dublin Bay, the sea breeze arrived as soon as Dublin city warmed up. We had an easterly breeze.
The fleet became quite spread out on the long first beat. Some took the coastal route close to the Forty Foot naturalist bathing spot, hoping to stay out of the strongest tide.
By the time the first boats reached the island, with its historic church dedicated to St. Begnet, and it Napoleonic Martello tower, it was Declan in No. 24 ‘Femme Fatale’ who held a small lead from 125 ‘ Buzz Lite’ with Richard O’Rahilly at the helm. Close behind was first lady helm, redhead Anne Evans in 832 ‘Anemos’.
The spinnaker run home was a nervous time for our ‘special athlete’, Declan who ‘needed to win’. 100 yards from the finish line there was a surprise windshift, and able bodied Richard took a jump on ‘Femme Fatale to win the event.
Best dressed boat was not ‘Chillax’ with her Bob Marley flag on the backstay, or ‘Anemos’ with balloons flying from her masthead, or crew of ‘Femme Fatale’ with a patriotic dinosaur hat. It went to the three girls on 95 with their matching home knitted green pixie hats.
Dinner and dancing. after sailing was in the R.ST.G.Y.C..
|
1st
|
BUZZ LITE
|
125 |
RGYC |
John O’Rahilly and son Richard
|
|
2nd |
FEMME FETALE |
24 |
DMYC |
Joe O’Byrne and Vincent Delany with special athlete Declan. |
|
3rd |
ANEMOS |
832 |
RGYC |
Pete and Ann Evans |
|
4th |
COORSE AND FINE |
530 |
RGYC |
Wendy Goodbody and Ronan Browne |
|
5th |
LADYBIRD |
166 |
NYC |
M. Muldoon and Brenda Stephens and and two children, Shaun and Henry age 5 |
|
6th |
TAIS |
724 |
RIYC |
Michael O’Connell and Morgan (child) |
|
7th |
WHERE’S WOOLY |
716 |
RGYC |
Conor O’Leary and friend |
|
8th |
PERIGUIN |
48 |
DMYC |
Noel Coakley and John Redehan |
|
9th |
SIDEWINDER |
138 |
RGYC |
Rupert Bowan and his two daughters |
|
10th |
KIND |
|
RIYC |
Nigel Barnwell and friend |
|
11th |
LITTLE DEMON |
95 |
RGYC |
Dee McDermot, Sheila Power and Dee’s son Finn. |
|
12th |
CHILLAX |
664 |
RGYC |
Mary McLoughlin and Gillian Fletcher. |
|
13th |
AQUABATS |
|
RGYC |
Frank Harrington and friend. |
|
1st |
BUSS LITE |
Richard O’Rahilly
Age 10 |
|
2nd |
LADYBIRD |
Henry and Shaun Stephens
(Henry age 5, wasn’t helming) |
|
3rd |
TAIS |
Morgan McNamara
Age 12 |
|
4th |
SIDEWINDER |
Lucy age 15
Charlotte age 12 |
|
5th |
LITTLE DEMEN |
Finn McDermot. |
Children’s Results
|
1st |
FEMME FETALE |
Declan Johnson. |
Special Athlete