#ISORA – In a change to the earlier results posted Dun Laoghaire's First 36.7 Lula Belle a two hander sailed by Liam Coyne and Brian Flahive won the weekend offshore trophies including the new lynx metmAsts Perpetual Offshore Trophy writes ISORA Commodore Peter Ryan. Revised results and times are avaliable to download at the bottom of this post.

First over the finish line for line honours was "NUI Galway" with "Aquelina" close behind. "English Mick" was third over the line . "Lula Belle" was fourth over the line taking overall, Class 2 and the lynx metmAsts Trophy. "NUI Galway" took secod overall and first in Class 1."Joker 2" took 3rd Overall and 2nd Class 1.

On the Friday evening, in the blistering sunshine in Pwllheli Sailing Club, the lynx metmAsts Pre-Race Reception was well attended. The three new lynx metmAsts trophies were on display – the Perpetual Offshore Trophy, the winners trophy to keep and the trophy for the photographic competition. In attendance and making short speeches was the Commodore of PSC, Phil Ranner and Director of lynx metmAsts, John Rutter. The party continued into the night!!

The forecast for the race was for light to little winds at the start building to moderate NE winds going SE by late Saturday / early Sunday. In view of the forecast the course set by the Sailing Committee was :

Start from PSC Bridge

South Arklow (S)

metmAsts and Turbines on Arklow bank (s)

South India (P)

Finish in Wicklow (in a notherly direction)

Well, the forecast was correct for the 08.00 start. A strong westerly tide pushed fours boats over the start line at the gun. These boats were unable to re-cross the line due to the light winds and strong tide for some time. The remainder of the fleet headed towards St. Tudwal's Islands in the tide and tide generated wind. At Tudwal's, the fleet began to bunch again when whatever winds were around at the start dropped – possible due to the turning of the tide. Two boats went out between the islands, "Aquleina" and "Joker 2". This appeared to pay off.

Punching against the tide towards Bardsey, the fleet again got dispersed, however "Aguelina" and "Joker 2" appeared to hold their advantage. It was not until after 16.00 that the wind started to fill in from a NE direction and built steadly to 18 knots by the time the fleet was approaching South Arklow at approximately 21.00. By the time the first boats had rounded the wind backed to a northerly direction and increase to 20-24 knots.

The leg to South India was a full beat against the now strong south going tide requiring most of the fleet to "rock hop" in the dark along the Arklow coast. At approximately around midnight there was sudden veer in the wind back to NE that sent the beating boats fetching for South India in the increasing winds.

Rounding South India was no "piece of cake" as the N/NE winds had whipped up the seas. The first boat, "NUI Galway", rounded approximately 02.00 and headed for the finish at Wicklow. Conditions in Wicklow were bad with a big swell at the harbour mouth. The main light house was not operating and the outer finish mark was unlit. These with the large swell did not make the run through the finish easy.

First over the finish line for line honours was "NUI Galway" with "Aquelina" close behind. "English Mick" was third over the line . "Lula Belle" was fourth over the line taking overall, Class 2 and the lynx metmAsts Trophy. "NUI Galway" took secod overall and first in Class 1."Joker 2" took 3rd Overall and 2nd Class 1.

We are awaiting the outcome of the lynx metmAsts Photographic Competition. Photographs of the before, during and after the race are acceptable and should be emailed to Koyelia Sirkar this week ( [email protected] )who will select the overall winner. The winner will be announced next weekend.

I would like to thank our sponsors lynx metmAsts for their generous help in providing the Crew Bus, Reception in Pwllheli and the great trophies. I would like to thank PSC for the great hospitality on Friday night and Richard Tudor for providing the start. Wicklow Sailing Club had laid on food and were awaiting our arrival. However the light winds wrecked those arrangements. I would like to thank Sadie Phelan all her help and Wicklow sailing Club for the arrangements – let's hope we get there next year.

Photographer Andy Green from Pwllheli took a great series of photographs at the start of the race. You can view these by clicking here

The next high point in the Offshore Calendar is the Round Ireland. While not in our race schedule, we will be awarding a trophy for the best performance of an ISORA boat to be presented in our Prize-Giving Dinner on the 17th November in the NYC.

The next ISORA race is the Pwllheli Day Race on the 14th July followed by the popular ISORA / RAYC Night Race on the 27th July.

Results are attached for download below.

Additional Race Report from NUI Galway below:

Since the ICRA Nationals, Reflex 38 "NUIGalway" and crew have been kindly hosted by the Royal St. George Yacht Club, Dun Laoghaire in preparation for the Round Ireland. Last Thursday and Friday was a frenzied assault on the job and kit list as we got ready for the ISORA race from Pwelheli (Wales) to Wicklow.

After a bit of a rush, once clear of Dun Laoghaire harbour Friday evening it was a very chilled out affair, with the auto pilot on we motored across a glassy Irish sea. Most of the were crew asleep as we snook into an eerily quiet Pwelheli marina at dawn and tied up. A quick update of the weather forecast and a power nap was had before cracking into boat prep and breakfast in time for an 8am race start...

As the 15 boats filed out of the marina, we took stock opposition; the cool still air onshore was a bad omen as we arrived out to a start line where not a puff was to be seen. The start sequence got under way nonetheless as a 1knot tide pushed boats down towards the line. In a confirmed case of young bull and old bull, we were amongst 6 boats that were over on the start line. Not alone were we over the line but we hadn't a hope of getting back up to it to restart so it was anchor out!! We sat alongside the other misfortunes for 40 minutes biting our nails as we watched the rest of the fleet drift off towards the Bardsey Sound at the South tip of Holyhead. With a whisper of breeze and a waning tide we eventually got away in earnest.

Picking off boats was the name of the game. With the kite up we followed channels of breeze and we did well dodging the first of the tide that was now starting to build against us, to our favour the fleet stayed relatively compressed. By 2pm we were already well through a session of headsail and kite hoists as the wind flicked and spluttered while just breaking out into the Irish Sea. It was clear this wasn't going to be a rapid transit and quips were being made about rationing! Overall we had regained a good position again though most of the fleet were beating us on handicap but at least they were back at the proper side of our stern. Out into the Irish Sea we all spread out, we followed the breeze and let the tide the ebb tide take us south waiting for the new tide take us back north to our rhumb line to the first mark off Arklow.

Later around 10pm as boats reconverged on the mark off Arklow, our position to the north of the rest of the fleet would have been paying dividends as the predicted easterly wind shift was late arriving. The wind had steadily built up to ~17kts while we trucked in on the mark with our asymmetric kite up in rain and low visibility. For the first time in 6 hours we got sight of a boat ahead and to leeward, as we climbed up over them we were disappointed to see it was the J109 "Joker" who we needed to be ahead of on handicap. This was compounded by our struggle to find the South Arklow navigational mark that we were to round, only to see it 400 metres below us, letting Joker slip by us we crawl dead downwind! Other competitors have since reported similar issues with the mark having been recently moved south.

The last 3-4 hours was a misery for the crew on the rail!! The rain now driving, we tacked our way up against the wind and building tide, tiredness creeping and very wet, wishing the new gear we're ordering had arrived for Friday! We peeled to a bigger headsail as the wind died down a bit and shifted east only to build again in time for rounding of a mark 5 miles east of Wicklow. Having passed Joker again on the beat upwind, the last run home downwind with the kite up was exciting stuff for the last 40 minutes. In almost pitch darkness "UP 10!"; "DOWN 5!" was being roared from the nav table below, homing in on an unlit finish line, this interspersed with the odd big bear away to avoid lobster pots. Coming in hot on a leeshore, as soon as we were across the line at 2.47am, we did a "letter-box" drop of the kite and got out of dodge fairly hastily in case we would have a couple of boats down on top of us!

The finish of the race was only part of the saga, as we made our way back to Dun Laoghaire 20 miles north with the engine on and the main up pushing tide the wind speed built. By 6am off Dalkey Island it was gusting over 30kts from the East, in the early light "The Muglins" was awash with white water. While taking a wide berth of the rocks, we were broadside to short steep waves and dodging the occasional pot. After a recce of the entrance to the harbour and a "chicken gybe" around, we came powering in through the entrance. With the 8 crew after 24 hours on the go, cold and wet it took in one last big effort getting the main down and secured on the boom inside the harbour wall. With mooring fields akin to a pinball table we headed into the sheltered pontoon of the Royal Irish Yacht Club. Once alongside, we got changed out of the back of the van in an underground carpark, too early to find a breakfast roll in Dun Laoghaire, we scattered for the nearest hot shower and warm bed/ couch!

Still provisional, but it looks like we placed third overall.

- nuigalwayroundireland2012.com

#ISORA – Welsh J109 Sgrech starts as clear favourite for this Saturday morning's offshore race from Pwllheli to Wicklow, the last qualifying race for this year's Round Ireland yacht race. As an added bonus this race is for a new ISORA trophy from race sponsor Lynxmetmasts.

The 2003 built J109 skippered by Stephen Tudor has already won two of the three ISORA races this season. The 18-boat fleet is expected into Wicklow late on Saturday afternoon in this the fourth race of the ISORA programme.

The suggested course for the race is available to download as an attachment below but the actual course will only be decided on Friday and will be texted and emailed to all competitors. Also available to download is the entry list and local tidal info.

#ISORA– Welsh yacht Sgrech (skippered by Richard Tudor) took its second victory in a fortnight on the Irish Sea yesterday when it won ISORA's third race from Conwy in North Wales to Howth in North Dublin a distance of some 100-miles.

The ISORA fleet is now berthed in Howth to coincide with the BMW ICRA Nationals starting this Friday. ICRA preview and entry list of the 110 boat fleet here.

An unfortunate clash with other sporting events is being blamed for the fact that only 12 boats came to the start line in Conwy.

The course was : Start; West Constable (P) ;  Archdeacon (P) ; Ethal (P) ; The Skerries (P) ; Finish in Howth.

The beat to Constable appeared to spread the fleet with “Sgrech” rounding first following closely by “Joker 2” and “Lancastrian” and “Adelie”. Close behind these were “Midnight Mojito” and “Madam Wen”. From Constable it was a direct course leaving Archdeacon, Ethal and The Skerries safely to Port.

The 90 mile leg to Howth was a run. Spinnaker reach and ending with a dead run into Howth. As forecast,  the winds got lighter approaching Howth and the usual tricky conditions that Howth finishes are famous for  appeared, light winds and strong tides.

“Sgrech” led the charge from Constable to the approach into Howth Sound, with a very strong following tide giving speeds over the ground of 15-16 knots at The Skerries. These conditions made short work of the long leg to Howth. The two “J” boats, “Sgrech” and “Joker 2” kept close together for the entire leg. Lancastrian and Midnight Mojito took a more southern route. “Adelie” and “Madam Wen” were just behind the leading group.

Four boats entered Howth Sound at the same time from slightly different directions. The J boats were too north and had to gybe to get into the Sound. During this manoeuvre and while the J boats were within several boat lengths of each other, “Joker 2” passed “Sgrech” but failed to monopolise on their position. Lancastrian was also caught and had to gybe in the very light conditions. However, Midnight Mojito got the course correct and stormed into the sound with wind and tide and shot over to take line
honours.

Despite the 100 mile course, the first four boats crossed the finish line in just over a minute!!! This would be difficult to achieve even in Bay Racing. The finish in Howth was provided by John Doran, Howth Yacht Club.

“Sgrech” won Class 1 and Overall. “Adeli” took Class 2 and 2nd Overall. “Lancastrian” won Class 1 Sliver Fleet while “Polished Manx” took Class 2 Silver Fleet.

The facilities in Conwy Marina and the Mulberry Bar & Restaurant were first class with a great evening had by all on Friday night. The Mulberry prepared a superb breakfast on the Saturday morning, getting everybody ready for the long race.

The next race is the 100– mile ISORA lynx metmAsts Pwllheli to Wicklow Race on the 2nd June.

Due to the generous sponsorship of lynx metmAsts, a complimentary Crew Bus will meet the 13.15 HSS from Dun Laoghaire and will bring crew from Holyhead to Pwllheli. There will also be a reception in Pwllheli Sailing Club on the Friday 1st June. This race will be the last qualifying race for those doing the Round Ireland race.

ISORA Race three results are avallable to download below.

Latest Irish Sea Offshore Sailing (ISORA) News

#TURBINES RACE – A clash of offshore fixtures has led Arklow Sailing Club to cancel its fourth race round the Windmills on the Arklow bank on the East coast of Ireland that had been slated for June 3rd. 

The race would have followed the ISORA race on Sunday, June 3rd and had attracted a good following on recent stagings. The 34-mile race is open to IRC and ECHO classes as well as white sail fleets but with ISORA and Round Ireland race taking a priority the Arklow Race Committee want to 'make it an event that will happen in the odd years so there are less clashes', according to a club spokesman this morning. The next race therefore will take place in 2013 at a date still to be advised.

#SAILING – Schull Youth Team from West Cork won the Under 21 Trophy at the Wilson Trophy in West Kirby in the UK yesterday and it represented a sweet revenge for the teenage three boat team.

Dublin's Ger Owens and Scott Flanigan final chance for Olympic selection at the 470 World Championships in Barcelona got off to a flying start yesterday with the double Olympian Owens finishing fifth in the opening race. It is an early boost for one of 7 remaining places left in the Summer Olympics.  Ross Hamilton is also trying to qualify in the Finn class, he lies

It may have been 'gutting' not to come away with a medal at the Star world championships where Peter O'Leary and and David Burrows finished fourth overall but it was nevertheless a fantastic performance for the London qualified pairing who were third overall for most of last week.

Ben Duncan continues his domination of the SB3 class with a win in the 2012 Eastern Championships yesterday at the National Yacht Club who celebrated its yacht club of the year award last Wednesday.

There was success for Class III champion Supernova plus results from all 19 DBSC classes on Saturday in Dublin Bay.

Cork Harbour's Patrick Crosbie and Grattan Roberts were 420 dinghy winners at Galway Bay Sailing Club.

Offshore American Kenny Read and Team Puma is in back in the USA, a Volvo Ocean Race Win on the home waters of Miami all the more satisfying. The race will finish in Galway at the end of next month.

Billed as one of Europe's major yacht racing events, the 2012 Round Ireland Race starts on June 24th and an international fleet has been announced with UK entries at an all time high for Ireland's top offshore fixture.

Offshore sailing is on a high thanks largely to the pioneeing work of Peter Ryan with the Irish Sea fleet and why shouldn't we be our exploiting our offshore assets, sure don't we own 220 million acres? The third ISORA Race this weekend will feature virtual marks on the way to the Howth finish.

The title holder's absence may be Hong Kong's opportunity at the 2012 Commodore's Cup. Where is Team Ireland as Hong Kong builds up for the cup in just two month's time?

And in two week's time Howth Yacht Club report they have reached the magic number of 100 for the ICRA Cruiser Nationals at the North Dublin venue.

#ISORA – Due to tide restrictions the start time of the third ISORA offshore race of the season from Conwy in North Wales to Howth in North Dublin has been delayed until 09.30 am next Saturday to allow boats to exit Conwy marina and get to the Fairway Buoy start line. The aim is also allow to boats get past the Skerries before the tide turns on the 100-mile long course.

The course may include 'Virtual' marks'. These are coordinates of a position that each yacht must round.

ISORA racing is on a high in 2012 with 18 boat turnouts for the races from Dun Laoghaire to both Wicklow and Holyhead. J109 yachts have established a strong showing to date with Stephen Tudor's Welsh based Sgrech, the latest winner in the race to Holyhead

Next weekend evidence of rounding the 'virtual' mark must be taken and may be requested by the Race Officer. The evidence may include photographic (iPhone or similar) evidence of the yacht's GPS showing its position at the mark. Yacht's chart plotter track showing the yacht rounding the "virtual" mark. This must be transmittable to ISORA by email. The onus of proof of having rounded the "virtual" mark will be with each yacht.

Sailing instructions for race three are downloadable below in pdf format.

#OFFSHORE – A number of significant announcements for Irish offshore sailing are expected at tonight's launch of the Round Ireland yacht race in Wicklow Sailing Club including a number of key international entries for June's 704-mile race. Already a strong entry from the UK has been received.

ISORA Commodore Peter Ryan will also announce a new title sponsor Lynx Metmasts for the Irish Sea Race from Pwllheli to Wicklow, a race in ISORA's 2012 programme. It is hoped that the weather will allow the course to be around the Arklow bank wind turbines when it sets sail on June 2nd, just three weeks before the start of Ireland's biennial offshore classic. Lynx Metmasts MD, Michael Martyn will present a perpetual trophy to the overall winner at Wicklow Sailing Club.

Meanwhile Arklow Sailing Club's fourth race round the Windmills will follow the ISORA race on Sunday, June 3rd. The 34-mile race is open to IRC and ECHO classes as well as white sail fleets.

#RACING ROUND–UP – Ireland's Star pair Peter O'Leary and David Burrows are in the frame at the Star worlds in Hyeres this morning having held the lead after thie first two races, James Espey is Olympic bound in his Laser dinghy following qualification in Germany last night, Alexander Rumball and Rory McStay are joining the Irish ISAF Youth Worlds squad as Ireland's first Catamaran pairing, Offshore J109s continue to dominate on the Irish Sea and ICRA is still seeking support to mount a defence of its 2010 Commodore's Cup victory.

Kinsale's Marcus Hutchinson won the South Coast Squibs, JP McCaldin was on form at the J24 Easterns in Howth, Derek Mitchell was top in Saturday's DBSC Ruffian race, Foynes Yacht Club cruised to Limerick and Andrew Algeo emerged a winner in a class that have changed much more than their racing format.

#ISORA – J109 yachts continue to show their prowess offshore taking three of the top four places in ISORA's second race from Dun Laoghaire to Holyhead on Saturday. Preliminary results have been revised and the latest overall results are attached below for download as an excel file.

Welsh J109 Sgrech bested a fleet of 16 and although the three J boats competing crossed the line one after the other, the two Dun Laoghaire Js, Joker 2 and Jedi, who shared the first race prizes last weekend, could not catch Sgrech.

Four boats including the JOD 35 double-hander Dinah campaigned by Ostar skipper Barry Hurley retired in the 60-mile race across the Irish Sea.

National Yacht Club Race Officer Larry Power, sent the fleet beating towards the M2 buoy in a 15-20 knot north easterly wind. The tide at the start was flooding pushing the fleet up towards the M2 but constantly shifting winds, both in direction and strength, made rounding the M2 weather buoy difficult.

First around the M2 was "English Mick" followed by "Sgrech". This order remained to the finish line in Holyhead. While the last leg was a fetch, the approach into Holyhead was tricky with strong tides. Boats that went south with the ebbing tide after the M2 were rewarded with being swept into Holyhead Bay by the following flood tide.

The next ISORA race is the 100–mile Round Ireland qualifier from Conwy to Howth on the 19th May.

#ISORA – Both of the top J109 performers from last weekend's opening offshore race of the season are entered into tomorrow's second ISORA race of the season.

The race starts from Dun Laoghaire at 8am on Saturday and heads across the Irish sea to Holyhead via the M2 weather buoy.

Last weekend's winner Joker II skippered by John Maybury as well as runner up Andrew Sarratt's Jedi are competing in the 19-boat fleet.

The 60-mile race is held under the burgee of the National Yacht Club. Sailing instructions and an entry list are available for download below.