Three way tie in glorious conditions

With several other events on around the country, e.g. the RS Nationals (see below), there was only a depleted fleet on the DBSC Dinghy course today. However, there are new faces turning up and adding spice to the racing.

Glorious conditions and tight racing

Charles Dwyer (not yet formally entered) was out on the water competing, with Paul McDermott out to observe and start his training for international events later in the year.  The committee set a 3-lap triangle course for the first race. A LONG one, with 1.3km beats. Sheehy's OK Dinghy got the start all wrong, with Keane and Dwyer correctly placed and in close contention. The beat saw Dwyer easing ahead, with Sheehy dropping off the back and seeming slow. Despite hard work from the chasing two, Dwyer cruised ahead and it was Dwyer, Keane and Sheehy at the finish.

Race two was with a 2-lap windward leeward, but still with a 1.3-1.4km beat. The start saw all three boats at the pin and reasonably even. Dwyer went for the pin end flyer and - after recent experience with other boats - Sheehy let him get away with it. Meantime a blind and deaf Squib got right in the mix but Keane managed not to be obstructed too badly.  Up the first beat the two Lasers were within spitting distance with the OK Dinghy tight behind. Dwyer fouled the offset and had to re-round, leaving him trailing slightly.

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No other change on the run and Keane led onto the 2nd beat with the OK Dinghy 2nd. Then Dwyer got a lovely right shift and passed the OK Dinghy, closing on Keane. Up at the mark the West Pier was throwing shifts all over the place and at various stages everyone felt they might be ahead. But Keane held on and rounded first with Sheehy just a few metres behind. Dwyer was another few metres back and again playing tail end Charlie. (ehem).

Everyone was within chatting distance but positions held to the finish, with Keane 7 seconds ahead of Sheehy on the water and Dwyer about the same behind Sheehy. This gave the OK Dinghy the win on corrected time with Keane again 2nd. A tight group after a long course.

Neatly this gave results of Dwyer 1,3, Keane 2,2 and Sheehy 3,1 on the day.  Someone probably won on count-back but it was time for a shower and a pint. But first the 4km sail home.

Official results: Race 1 and Race 2.

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