Page 5 - ISORA 2019 v4

Those less experienced with offshore racing would suggest that the course selected would just be a soldier’s race. Nothing could be further from the truth. The direction of the wind tested crew who attempted to fly Code 0s. The apparent wind direction was too far forward for those boats on the rhumb line to fly anything but a jib. Decisions had to be made whether pushing up north of the rhumb line early to allow the use of the Code O later in the race also taking into account the strong south going tides that will be present as the fleet approached Holyhead.
As the fleet crossed the Irish Sea, Andrew Hall’s Jackknife led the way followed closely by Chris Power-Smith’s Aurelia, Brendan Coughlan’s YoYo and Paul O’Higgins Rockabill VI The lead position on IRC changed constantly during the race amongst these four lead boats. However, it was Rockabill VI’s ability to fly a Code 0 for the last hour and a half of the race that got them over the line to take the race Overall and Class 0.
Class 1 was won by Nigel Ingram’s Jetstream and Class 2 won by Irish Offshore Sailing’s boat 'Desert Star” They also took the two-handed prize.
After the race, many of the visiting boats tied up at the Holyhead Sailing Club who had put on entertainment for the arriving crew.
The Race Organiser for Race 3 was Grainne Ryan. Anita Begley was Safety Officer. The finish was provided by Dawn Russell of Holyhead Sailing Club.
The next two races, as part of the Viking Marine and Global Display Coastal Series, are on the 18th May. These are coastal races with one starting and finishing in Dun Laoghaire and the other in Pwllheli. It is hoped that great numbers will take part in these races as champagne sailing conditions have been booked for the events.