A Canadian, some Swedes, an American, a Frenchman, a few Belgians and an Irishman walk into a bar..

This could be the opening line to a bad joke describing the derriere end of the apprentice fleet. Everyday it's the same group and faces rounding the first windward just after the leading (and middle) groups have lit their afterburners. In a sense it's nice as we've all come to know each other quite well and the event is supposed to be about friendliness.

Up at the business end, which I've christened Olympia, I'm sure it's a different kettle of fish. Our Canadian compatriot did find himself there on one of the light days and was altogether taken aback at the reception he received after slightly overstanding a mark.

Today was windy again though not as windy for us as the Masters fleet. The Apprentice and Grand Master fleets were held ashore in the morning to try and pre-empt the congestion and delays on the race courses that have been experienced over the last few days.

Nick Walsh is revelling in the breeze and after his 3rd yesterday posted a 5th and 8th today and looks certain to be in the Gold Fleet. Colin Galavan was not quite sure if he's going to make the cut while Ed Rice has been something of a starting pathfinder and carrying three OCS's now looks likely to have to settle for some Argent action. Kevin Currier looks in that silver boat too.

Chris Arrowsmith is holding his own in the Grand Masters and will likely make it into the Gold fleet and the final Hike to Oblivion.

Thomas Chaix continues to post some competitive and tidy scores while Dan O'Connell is steadily making in-roads into the 20's.

Denis O'Sullivan is like a rock-star in these parts and apparently led at the first windward mark yesterday. though other results from Radial world are hard to come by. 

On the way to the start today  I wondered about the apparent lack of rescue boats on the very large courses. Our beat alone was almost 1nm. Liberally sprinkle some laser fleets in big breeze over an inner and outer trapezoid and suddenly you have very little cover in case something goes wrong for someone. It clicked when I noticed on the horizon the French Air Force out in their helicopters practicing their search and rescue techniques. They are out there every day and every night in this area so we'll all be ok if something goes wrong.

More wind tomorrow. Mon dieu!

A demain

Paul

Sunnier, Wavier, Windier. Being careful what you wish for.

In my last missive from Hyeres I signed off with the news that there were Waves and Breeze on the way and likened this to a lotto win. I think what I should have wished for was a Scratch Card win rather than a Euromillions Jackpot.

On Tuesday the wind arrived from the East. When it blows into Hyeres Bay in this direction it kicks up a demon swell with a really short wavelength. This makes for a very demanding upwind followed by a, well, very demanding downwind.

Copyright Thom Touw - from event FB page. 

Yesterday was some of the most exhilarating sailing I think most of the team have ever done. After pounding upwind for 15 minutes it was hang on tight as you screamed down the blast reaches and runs. Thankfully the water temp is very palatable so shipping waves and swimming (most people seem to have had at least one) is not the same chore as it is at home. Needless to say the apres sailing yesterday had an energised buzz about it.

This morning the clink clink clink of halyards against masts was the first sign that today's conditions we're going to be even more demanding. In the boat park there was a palpable air of people trying to be calm but knowing they were heading out to tough conditions.

Hyeres brings the pain - and the joy.

Results for the day are not yet posted but on the Bravo race course the Masters fleets got started fairly cleanly and Nick Walsh rounded the bottom gate in 3rd, a position he held onto till the end. In the same race and same fleet Ed Rice was also going great guns, rounding the gate in about 15th but a swim later in the race put paid to that position.

For the apprentice fleet there was a very long delay to get going, almost two hours, but this didn't bother Thomas Chaix who posted a 12th in the first.

In the Great Grand Masters Denis O'Sullivan was very well placed on the leaderboard overnight so it'll be interesting to see the results coming from the Alpha Course.

Tomorrow the forecast is similar, perhaps a little more breeze, and those waves.. they're going nowhere! If it really blows maybe the RC will give  the lay day they took from us today to catch up on the race schedule. I know there are many sailors in the boat park wishing for a break to recoup mind and body after today.

A demain,

Paul

For event pictures visit:
http://thomtouw.photoshelter.com/gallery-collection/Audi-2014-Laser-Masters-World-Championships/C0000e0lzJYo7zfg

For latest results visit:
http://lasermasters.coych.org/results/

Keane Reports from Hyeres

As previously mentioned, there are LOTS of Dun Laoghaire Dinghy sailors in France at the Laser Master Worlds. Here's a report from Paul Keane, sent this morning.  He's one of the people keeping calm and hiking harder.

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There's a strong contingent of Irish competing in the Laser Masters Worlds taking place from the 4th - 11th October in Hyeres, France. `

The event has broken records for the number competing which topped out at an eye watering 499. The logistics and challenges for the event organisers of dealing with a fleet this size both onshore and afloat are daunting but COYCH are managing. Masters fleets are divided by age brackets. The youngest competitors are 35 in the apprentice fleet. At 45 these "young guns" graduate to Masters and so on as the bands continue up in blocks of 10 years.

 The Irish team consists of Worlds stalwart and Great Grand Master Denis O'Sullivan. Chris Arrowsmith from RStG is in the Grand Master category. Ed Rice and Nick Walsh from RCYC along with Colin Galavan from RIYC and Kevin Currier from Ballyholme are in the Masters fleet. The team is rounded out by three Apprentice Masters, Dan O'Connell from RCYC, ISA Coach Thomas Chaix and Paul Keane also from RIYC.  (click on "read whole article" just below to see the rest)

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They're there in Hyeres

There is quite a large bunch of Dun Laoghaire Laser sailors in Hyeres for the 2014 Laser World Masters. Keane, Arrowsmith, Galavan, O'Connell, all spring to mind and your humble correspondent is probably missing a few at that. A large contingent of Irish sailors went, all giving it their best in some of the highest level sailing outside the Olympics.

The racing started with a practice race and they're already into the 2nd day of racing now.

Results are online here; http://lasermasters.coych.org/results/  It looks as if the light winds will continue today and then they'll get some better conditions.

Best of luck to all!

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Juniors at the NYC

After a busy September series inside the harbor, the month ended with the End-of-Season Junior Regatta at the NYC. Fevas, Oppies, Toppers and Lasers, with all but the Oppie Regatta fleet sailing well out in Dublin Bay.

Condition on Saturday were more like a balmy July than the middle of the Autumn. Over 60 juniors competed in this mixed fleet event.

After a delayed start waiting for the breeze conditions on Saturday were perfect with a steady 10 knots from the south and calm seas. The main fleet sailed 2 races outside the harbour while the junior fleet spent the morning practising their course and after a break for lunch, raced 3 races.

The kids are just visible slightly left of Howth Head

Sunday dawned warm and calm in Dublin Bay and despite much whistling the wind did not blow and racing was cancelled at mid day.

NYCs Nicola Ferguson was the overall winner of the Optimist event with 2 race wins.
RSGYC's Sarah Fogarty and Tara Coakley similarly dominated the Feva fleet with NYC's Heather Spain and Guy Boggan winning by the same margin in Laser 4.7 and Radial, respectively.  NYC's Oscar Gleeson won on countback in the Toppers with two boats finishing on equal points.

Most of the prize winners with their trophies. 

Full results available here.

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Liffey Racing - Oct 11th

The Laser Liffey Fleet Racing Championship will be held on Saturday, 11th October 2014.

The event is organised by the Royal Alfred Yacht Club, with kind permission of Poolbeg Yacht Club and Dublin Port

The NOR and Entry Form are now up on the RAYC website

http://www.rayc.ie/

This is a unique opportunity to race in a completely different environment.  The race area is between the East Link Bridge and the Samuel Beckett Bridge. 

You will launch from the Poolbeg Yacht Club at 10:00.  The East Link Bridge will be raised to allow you go further up the Liffey. Racing will take place between the bridges.  Return to Poolbeg for the prize giving and soup and sandwiches.

• Launch from Poolbeg YC
• Racing starts at 11.00 am
• Open to all Rigs - Standard, Radials and 4.7's
• Maximum of 25 entries
• Entry €10
• Windward-Leeward Courses between the bridges
• Enter on line/ PayPal or by post (closing date 6th October)

Further information and SI's will be posted on the RAYC Website www.rayc.ie

Hope we have a great turn out for a fun day - emphasis is on good fun, but serious racing and boat handling skills also involved!

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D-Zero Demo: Feedback

Thanks to all who came to the NYC over the weekend 20th and 21st Sept to try-out the D-Zero singlehander dinghy.

We've committed to providing feedback to the D-Zero sales team. Please can you take a couple of minutes to complete this simple form and let us know what you thought.

Thank you

Dinghy Kit

If you're in the market for any Dinghy Kit pay a visit to new kid on the block.

dinghykit.com are stocking a great range of specialist gear broken down into easy to review Casual, Hikers, Wetsuits, Top Layers and Footwear sections.

There also a Clearance section with some really attractive deals. Take a look

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The D-Zero is coming - Dun Laoghaire 20th & 21st Sept

"I have not enjoyed my sailing that much in a very long time and cannot wait to get out in on the water again."

On the 20th & 21st Sept two D-Zero singlehanders will be in Dun Laoghaire and available for demo sails.

This beautifully designed boat was launched in early 2014 amid much fanfare in the yachting press.

The D-Zero's will be available all day Saturday 20th for demo sails. On Sunday 21st they'll be competing in the local Barts Bash. Simply register your interest in a test sail using the form below. We'll automatically enter your name in a competition to take one of the boats for this exciting Guinness World Record attempt.

As featured in Afloat Magazine Online
and Yachts and Yachting Magazine:

• http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/news/174565/Devoti-D-Zero-announced
• http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/news/174922/Devoti-D-Zero-Dinghy-Show-offer-extended
• http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/news/178811/Devoti-D-Zero-Autumn-Roadshow

INSC on Sailing Anarchy

http://sailinganarchy.com/2014/09/03/right-here-right-now/