The Royal St George Yacht Club, Dun Laoghaire

The 2009 season can be described as being the year with disturbed air, black clouds, rain squalls and strong winds. It was appropriate, therefore, that the afternoon of 3rd September 2009 arrived with a huge rain squall at 16.00, which passed through with force 7 winds and very limited visibility.
A young man was in the forecourt of the Club preparing his 49er for a bit of sailing. It turned out that he was putting a new carbon fibre mast on the boat. The End of Season Race Committee were much relieved when he advised that it would take him at least three hours to put all the bits together.

By the time the first boats reached the starting area the wind had dropped to force 4, perfect wind for the Glens which were digging great holes in the sea as they passed the Committee Boat.
The Glens were first to start, followed seven minutes later by Squibs and soon afterwards the entire fleet was reaching to the Middle mark.
The boats took between thirty-two and forty-five minutes to complete the course, and of course the SB3s were quickest of all led by Adrian Waters Sail No. 3306.
The first boat home was Frank Elmes and Wilf Higgins in GlenMarissa and winner of the Shindilla Cup presented by the Bowring family. Once again, Peter Bowring in the Dragon narrowly missed winning the Family Cup. Maybe next year he will talk to the handicapper before the race.
By virtue of the quick completion of the course all the members were back in the clubhouse by 7.30 for a celebration drink and dinner.
Gina Walker our Rear Commodore Sailing presented the prizes, as Michael Buckley Rear Commodore Entertainments did the continuity announcements.
A special prize was given to Trevor Woods who complained before the race that he would finish last because ‘Misty' had been given an inappropriate handicap. He almost did, but he took home his prize, a bottle of champagne, to present to his wife at midnight as it was his birthday.
Another special prize went to Rupert Bowen and David Croke in the Squib who, when they were in the lead, realised that they did not know which marks to round on the second half of the course.

Carol in the Race Office was a fantastic worker in making all the necessary preparations. The Race Committee Members were Vincent Delany OOD, Ann Marie Mc. Goris, Jill Fleming and Noelle Breen.

Congratulations go to all the members who own the 40 boats, varying from a modest Laser to a high tech J-109, which took part in this enjoyable Club event.

Article by Mr Vincent Delaney