The Royal St George Yacht Club, Dun Laoghaire

Report from Yachts & Yachting

A fleet of 8 SB3s, about the right size for the confined space, sailed up through the lifted Toll Bridge at 1030 to do battle in some epic racing for the 2009 Liffey Challenge. Weather conditions were initially poor with drizzle which was unfortunate for spectator appeal and photo opportunity but at least by lunchtime the skies had cleared. The lunchtime hordes from the Accountancy firms, Law firms and IFSC companies by the River gathered in good numbers to watch, armed with their paninis and cappucinos.

Indeed, an early afternoon hazard for the fleet for a number of races was a large number of divers and 2 large ribs, complete with camera crew up above on the quayside. This turned out to be the filming of a "suicide jump" episode of RTE's "Fair City", rather spoiling the element of surprise for any SB3 sailing soap followers, not to mention the disruption for the TV director caused by loud, exhuberant SB3 crews hailing for room at an obstruction!

Anyway, the action started off fast and furious with very patchy morning winds and incredibly close racing, especially for the first tack after the start in by the wall and later as all eight boats tended to round the windward mark together. Extremely fast out of the blocks was "Trade Credit Brokers", sailed by Aidan O'Connell with Graham Elmes in the middle, who won the first three races.

Race Officer Ailbe Millerick called for a brief halt for lunch then racing resumed. The wind increased at this stage, ironing out a few of the treacherous light spots. The lads on "TCB" lost some momentum and Cathy MacAleavey on "Bluebird", racing with Laser Radial star daughter Analise and ex 49er campaigner Russell MacGovern, really came into it with two race wins on the trot.

However, "Squalo Bianco" raced by Sean Craig, Alan Green and wife Heather Craig had been chipping away and ended up winning the last two races to take the trophy by the narrowest of margins. Many others in the fleet, such as young Ben Shanahan, Jerry Dowling and Marco Sorgassi had strong individual races. The stronger wind produced some good planing down by the favoured north wall and some really tight racing. A couple of boats spun out for nasty little brushes with the quayside wall. Thankfully no damage or injuries resulted.

The SB3 class are very grateful to the RAYC for organising, the Poolbeg Yacht and Boat Club for their facilities and of course Dublin Port Co. for their generous sponsorship.

View some photographs from the day.

Overall Results: (top 3)

1st 3281 "Squalo Bianco", RStGYC, Sean Craig, Alan Green and Heather Craig, 1,1,2,2,3,4,(5), 13pts
2nd 3033 "Bluebird", NYC, Cathy MacAleavey, Russell MacGovern and Analise Murphy, 1,1,2,3,3,4,(8), 14pts
3rd 3279 "Trade Credit Brokers", RStGYC, Aidan O'Connell, Graham Elmes and Carol O'Kelly, 1,1,1,4,4,5,(8), 16pts

John Biggs Memorial Race was held on the 29th March 2009. The results can be found below