Page 26 - ISORA 2019 v4 - FB

Race 12 - Viking Marine Irish Coastal Night Race
The race has taken place in the past with mostly balmy conditions when the fleet glided down the coast, illuminated by the lights on land. Well, this year was not to be like that. The weather for the previous day and for the morning of the race was very windy with a Gale Warning in operation for most of the country. The weather was so unsettled that the Night Race from Pwllheli, that was to take place at the same time, was postponed.
Fortunately the weather moderated on the west Irish Sea and the forecast for the race was for SW 10-15, Gusting 25 knots. This was the weather that existed for much of the race except when conditions became very squally when winds up to 35 knots were recorded. Of the 22 entries only 13 boats came to the start line at DBSC “Pier” mark and were sent on their way by Barry MacNeaney and Larry Power. The race organiser for the race was Grainne Ryan and the Safety Officer was Anita Begley.
Conditions at the start were light with 8-10 Knot SW winds providing a spinnaker start for the fleet towards the first mark. The tide on the day was a strong spring tide so the course for the race, as set by the Sailing Committee, ensured that the least amount of tide plugging took place. The tide was fast flooding north at the start. The fleet headed north.
The 39 mile course was:
Start at DBSC “Pier Mark” >ISORA Dublin (Virtual Mark ) (P) >Taylor’s Rock Cardinal (S) >Lambay Island (S)
>Bennet (S)
>ISORA Dublin (Virtual Mark )
Finish - DL Harbour
Rockabill VI -photo Gerallt Williams