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THE WATER WAGS 85th CENTENARY JUG 28th JULY 2010
The Water Wags
85th. Centenary Jug.
28th. July 2010.
With a 19 knot breeze from the west, O.O.D. David Sarratt and his assistants Edward Sarratt and Rupert Westrup had a challenge to select a suitable course. They opted for full sails without a reef, and a unique starboard hand course with the windward leg inside Dun Laoghaire Harbour where the water was calm, and the offwind legs passing out through the Harbour mouth to a mark laid within Dublin Bay.
Twenty two Water Wags came to the start line, but ‘Sara’ was required to retire before the start due to equipment breakage.
By the start the wind had dropped to 12 knots. The first beat was critical to the outcome of the race. Three boats reached the windward mark together, ‘Tortoise’ with William and Linda Prentice, ‘Patricia’ with Harry and Liz Croxon and ‘Gavotte’ with Frank Guy and Owen Mc. Nally. Good boat placement resulted in ‘Gavotte’ tacking around the mark ahead of ‘Patricia’ and ‘Tortoise’. When the boats passed out through the Harbour mouth into the short choppy waves caused by wind against tide,’ Gavotte’ reveled in the conditions and increased her lead surfing the waves. On the second beat ‘Swift’ sailed by Guy and Jackie Kilroy and ‘Moosmie’ sailed by David and Sally Mc.Farlane took some scalps and moved up to second and third place respectively. By the third lap they were putting pressure on ‘Gavotte’ who held her nerve, and maintained a loose cover on the chasing boats.
This was an enjoyable race where spinnakers could not be used to advantage, so the skills required were good boat handling. ‘Gavotte’ took the gun and wins the 85th. Centenary Jug which was presented to the Class by Len Hayes.