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Grand Soleil 44 Wins 25–Boat ISORA Viking Marine Coastal Race One

22nd April 2018
Frank Whelan's Eleuthera, a Grand Soleil 44, was the IRC overall winner in the first ISORA race from Dun Laoghaire. Scroll down for more photos Frank Whelan's Eleuthera, a Grand Soleil 44, was the IRC overall winner in the first ISORA race from Dun Laoghaire. Scroll down for more photos Credit: Afloat.ie

Frank Whelan's well sailed Eleuthera, a Grand Soleil 44, was the winner of ISORA's Viking Marine Coastal Series first race in ideal sailing conditions on Dublin Bay this afternoon. 

An exotic mix of new and nearly new entries into the 2018 Dublin offshore fleet included the race winner Eleuthera (named after an Island in the Bahamas, there is more on the race winner here) but also a 1976 World Champion vintage Half–Tonner, a brand new SunFast 3600, as well as a heap of ultra competitive J109s and an all conquering JPK10.80, all adding to the excitement of the much–anticipated first race.

ISORA coastal race start Eleuthera 0800IRC Class Zero 2017 Champion, the J122 Aurelia, skippered by Chris & Patanne Power Smith, of the Royal St George Yacht Club was second overall 

The colourful 25–boat ISORA fleet departing Dublin Bay in ideal westerly winds – and sunshine – made sure it was a very auspicious start to the offshore sailing year. 

"An exotic mix of new and nearly new entries into the 2018 Dublin offshore fleet included the race winner, Eleuthera"

After weeks of gloom, following Storm Emma's path of destruction, finally there was a tonic for Dun Laoghaire Harbour sailors and spectators alike as spinnakers filled Scotsman's Bay to mark the arrival of summer and the first offshore race of the year.

ISORA coastal race start Muglins 0957Race officers Larry Power and Barry MacNeaney prepare for the off as a bumper fleet make for the ISORA line off Dun Laoghaire Harbour. Photo: Afloat.ie

ISORA fleet SandycoveStill well bunched as the ISORA fleet passes Sandycove on the way to the Muglins Rock. Photo: BJ Marine/Facebook

The 21.5 mile course for race one of the Viking Marine Coastal Series was as follows: Start at DBSC Pier mark, Muglins (S), Bray Outfall (P), Kish Lighthouse (P), North Burford (P) and Finish - at Dun Laoghaire Pier Heads.

It didn't take long for the front runners to find their form. In truth, last week's practice race had ironed out some of the wrinkles so there was not time lost in setting kites off the line in a 10–15-knot west to south west breeze with some strong gusts thrown in for good measure. An ebb tide meant a fast departure across Scotsman's Bay leaving the Muglins to starboard.

See our Afloat.ie photos below as the fleet headed south with leaders back in Dun Laoghaire for a 1.30pm finish.

In all, an excellent start for the ISORA season with a good turnout in Pwllheli for the Welsh coastal race, running concurrently, bringing a total of 32–boats in ISORA competition this weekend. Next stop is the 60–mile race from Holyhead to Dun Laoghaire on May 12th. 

ISORA coastal race start Muglins 0957At the pin end of the line it was the J109 Jigamaree (red spinnaker) skippered by Ronan Harris of the Royal Irish Yacht club that got the best start with club mates Keith and Rodney Martin preferring to white sail Lively Lady of the line. Paul O'Higgins' JPK!0.80 is behind them with blue and lemon kite with the overall winner Frank Whelan's Eleuthera obscured. To leeward of the bunch is Andrew Algeo's Juggerknot, also of the Royal Irish. Photo: Afloat.ie

ISORA coastal race start Muglins 0957Above and below: There was some strong gusts shortly after the start leading to some early boat handling issues Photos: Afloat.ie

ISORA coastal race start Muglins 0957

ISORA coastal race start Muglins 0957Above and below: The fleet races south with DBSC Yacht of the Year, the J97 WindJammer going strong under red spinnaker. Photo: Afloat.ie

ISORA coastal race start Muglins 0957

ISORA coastal race start Muglins 0957The IRC Class one First 35, Platinum Blonde skippered by Paul Egan of the Royal St George Yacht Club was fifth overall. In a high speed dash, she raced out of the bay neck and neck (below) with the JPK10.80 Rockabill (Paul O'Higgins) Photo: Afloat.ie

ISORA coastal race start Muglins 0957

ISORA coastal race start Muglins 0957Royal Irish Yacht Club IRC Class 0 entry Rockabill VI finished sixth overall. Photo: Afloat.ie

Jigamaree ronan harris 0622The J109 Jigamaree skippered by Ronan Harris of the Royal Irish Yacht club was fourth overall. Photo: Afloat.ie

ISORA coastal race start Muglins 0957All in a day's sailing – Daragh Gafferky's IRC Class 1 entry AnotherAdventure, an Archambault A35, sailed up from Greystones Marina for the 10am start. After her 12 mile delivery, she completed the 21–mile ISORA course by 2pm and then headed back home to Wicklow. Photo: Afloat.ie

ISORA coastal race start Muglins 0957(Above and below) Inspite of a cracking lead on the first leg to the Muglins and into Killney Bay, Roger Smith's Poolbeg Yacht & Boat Club entry, Wakey Wakey, that won last weekend's warm–up race, finished third overall Photo: Afloat.ie

ISORA coastal race start Muglins 0957Above and below The Martin Brother's Lively Lady was second boat to the Muglins Rock Photo: Afloat.ie

ISORA coastal race start Muglins 0957

ISORA coastal race start Muglins 0957(Above and below) New Jeanneau 3600 entry Yoyo (Brendan Coghlan of the Royal St. George YC) was 14th overallISORA coastal race start Muglins 0957

For full results click here 

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