The Baily Bowl 2010

The Royal Alfred Yacht Club was founded in 1857. The club is credited with being in the forefront of the development of modern yacht racing. Over the weekend of 15^th.-16^th. May the RAYC organised races four one-design fleets for the Baily Bowl. Races- The elegant if venerable Dragon, the youthful SB3, the hybrid Flying fifteens and the colourful Squibs.

The event was based in the National Yacht Club in Dun Laoghaire, as the Royal Alfred do not have their own premises.

The local Dublin Bay Squib fleet was supplemented by Squibs from The Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club and from Royal Cork Yacht Club. Regrettably, the strong Howth fleet did not cross the bay to compete. 

Squibs competed on the same course as the FF’s in Seapoint Bay, west of Dun Laoghaire harbour with windward leeward courses. The gusty winds of force 2-4 from the west north west blew over Dublin city resulting in shifts of 30 degrees. The event was not one that was going to be won on knowledge of tides or of boat speed alone.

Race 1 was won by ‘Femme Fatale’ from Dun Laoghaire Motor Yacht Club from ‘Toy for the Boys’ from RNIYC   and ‘Lola’ from RStGYC.

Wind patterns in race were completely different, but the results were the same with ‘Femme Fatale’ ahead of ‘Toy for the Boys’ and ‘Lola’.

Due to much of the fleet reaching the first windward mark together, the third race had a different result, due to a number of boats taking penalties, the finish placings were ‘Lola’, ‘Toys’ and ‘East Coast Joy/ Ruby Blue’.

The entertainment on Saturday Evening consisted of a party organised by Peter and Anne Evans (‘Anemos’) celebrating the return of their son, Simon, for his 18 month cycle ride around the world, including the long overland section from Shanghai to France. For those not interested in cycling, there was a small rugby match between former Heineken cup winners Munster and former Heineken cup winners Leinster. ( Dun Laoghaire is in Leinster.)

On Sunday the racing conditions were similar to Saturday. To hit the corners of the course could result in finding either ‘snakes’ or ‘ladders’. Peter Beamish, Commodore of the RAYC was on the Mark boat to ensure that race management was done ‘by the book’.

Race 1 was won by ‘Toys’, from ‘Lola’ with East Coast Joy’ and ‘Femme Fatale.’ In a photo finish.

The result of the championship, therefore, hinged on the last race. Initially ‘Lola’ took the lead with severe pressure from ‘Toys’, ‘Nimble’, ‘ECJ’, and ‘Femme’. The outcome of the race hinged on the first leeward mark in which ‘’Femme’ broke the overlap and rounded the leeward mark from the outside berth.

Results:

1^st. ‘Femme Fatale’ 24, owned by Vincent Delany/ Joe O’Byrne, crewed by Brenda Fogarty of ‘Aquabats.’ ( 6 points )

2^nd. ‘Toy for the Boys’ 818, Peter Wallace and Kerry. (7 points)

3^rd. ‘Lola’ 46, Frank Whelan and Brian Hare.(9 points)

4^th. ‘CCJ’ 35, RCYC Aiden O’Connell and Sian Mc. Cleave.( 12 points)

The first ladies were Sheila Power and Marie Dee from RStGYC in ‘Little Demon’ in 5^th place on 23 points..

This event was a great warm up before the Squib Nationals in June.

ROYAL ALFRED YC BAILY BOWL 2010 Squibs

Overall

Sailed: 5, Discards: 1, To count: 4, Entries: 13, Scoring system: Appendix A