The last regatta of the Irish Fireball Class’ 2015 Regatta circuit, the Leinsters, takes place this weekend at Clontarf Yacht and Boat Club and according to the Class’ Facebook site, an entry of 18 boats is on the cards writes Cormac Bradley. Thus for the second regatta is a row, the pattern of participating numbers has been reversed and given that the Class will have a number of its members in the warmer climes of the Mediterranean, contesting the Royal Malta Yacht Club’s Rolex Middle Sea Race, an eighteen-boat entry is excellent. With one regular podium finisher overseas for that race, there is a slot available on the Leinsters podium and as was evidenced at Lough Derg Yacht Club last month at the Munsters, there will be a number of candidates vying to occupy that slot.
Contarf has long been a bastion of Fireball activity and accordingly a popular venue for provincial regattas. In recent years like many fleets, their activity levels have been a little on the low side, but it is hoped that taking the event to the north-side will provide the locals with a bit of a fillip. Our hosts have indicated that rugby will be showing on both days and food will be available as well, though not as part of the regatta entry fee which stands at €60, with an early bird offer (which expires today, Wednesday at midnight) of €50. Refer to the CYBC website for details.
Due to tide constraints, a five race programme is proposed with a Regatta Briefing on Saturday morning at 11:15 followed by a Warning Signal at 12:30. On Sunday, the Warning Signal will be at 13:00. Due to the accessibility of Clontarf, the cut-off for race starts on Sunday will be 16:00.
Being the last Saturday of the regatta season, the Class will also have its AGM after racing on the Saturday. A number of committee members have already indicated their willingness to continue in office but as with all committees, especially in sailing, further offers of help and time would be gratefully received.
And as one season comes to a close, so another season beckons from the horizon! The 2015/16 Frostbite Series is heralded by the lift-in at the various Dun Laoghaire waterfront clubs. Last weekend saw the lift in at DMYC, host to the Frostbites, the definitive sign that autumn is upon us – as we can’t rely on the weather – and the preparatory signal that Sunday racing inside the harbour will soon be the norm. With all the speculation about developments inside the harbour, this may be a very powerful way of showing the “powers that be” that the harbour has a significant recreational value to a wide range of people and should not be seen solely as a commercial entity.
To close, best wishes to Kenny, Andy and Barry on XP-Act for the Rolex Middle Sea Race – we envy you the warm weather and wish you success. There’s no pressure relative to the boat’s success in the 2014 version of the race!
Published in Fireball
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