News
2008 WAYFARER EASTERNS AT WICKLOW SAILING CLUB
2008 Wayfarer Easterns at Wicklow Sailing Club – 26 July 2008
The day started with mixed emotions as it became clear that the turn out was less than expected. So Barry O’Sullivan, the Race Officer, was asked by the competitors to try and run the five race series in one day instead of over two. And this is exactly what happened. Races were kept to less than an hour and with snappy turn arounds the entire card was successfully completed on the Saturday.
Conditions were excellent with light Southerly winds which steadily backed and rose as the day went on.
Buzzbee (Fin Keleher/Neil Anderson) was first over the line in the first race but was beaten to the windward mark by Jacaranda (Michael Haig/Niamh Haig). Shadow (Dave Kelly/Bernie Grogan) and Pinta Plain (Noel Colclough/John Redehan) followed Buzzbee around the windward mark after port/starboard contretemps. By the sausage Jacaranda was in the lead followed by Shadow. Buzzbee was third, Pinta Plain having spinnaker trouble was fourth and Wave Pigeon (Peter Craven/Philippa Craven) was fifth. The race finished in that order with only about thirty seconds between competitors.
By the start of the second race the sun was out and the wind was picking up. Pinta Plain made it to the windward mark first but then went slightly off course. This gave Shadow a chance to take the lead followed by Jacaranda. Pinta Plain finished third, Buzzbee fourth, and Wave Pigeon fifth.
The third race was one by Shadow with a two minute margin followed by Pinta Plain, Buzzbee, Jacaranda, and Wave Pigeon. Jacaranda had fouled one of the marks and did a penalty. It was very clear at this stage that the starboard side of the course was faster even though there was an unfavourable wind bend close to shore. We put this down to the tide which was flooding in a northerly direction.
Race 4 took place in what were now brilliant sunshine and a stiffening Force 4 sea breeze. Pinta Plain should have won but after rounding one of the gybe marks headed for the windward mark instead of the leeward giving Shadow and Jacaranda a chance to get by.
The Race Officer relaid the course for Race 5 as the wind backed and rose to Force 5. The start was shortened to deliberately liven things up further. Shadow went around the windward mark first followed by Buzzbee and continued to open up a lead eventually finishing by over a leg. Jacaranda finished second and Pinta Plain executed an excellent gybe at the bottom of the sausage pipping Buzzbee.
The presentation in the clubhouse was followed by a superb steak dinner and the Wayfarers would like to thank Barry O’Sullivan, Peter Shearer and all the volunteers at Wicklow Sailing Club for their warm hospitality and a great days racing.
Overall positions:
1 Shadow (Dave Kelly/Bernie Grogan)
2 Jacaranda (Michael Haig/Niamh Haig)
3 Pinta Plain (Noel Colclough/John Redehan)
4 Buzzbee (Fin Keleher/Neil Anderson)
5 Wave Pigeon (Peter Craven/Philippa Craven)
Fin Keleher, with Neil Anderson
W2334, Buuzzbee