In what started as a drifter for the DBSC Flying Fifteens and the PRO Jack Roy considering cancelling the racing for the evening a fresh breeze filled in from the SW and provided perhaps the most exciting conditions for racing so far this season.
An impressive fleet of 20 Flying Fifteens were on the start line including Tom Murphy in a new boat. (IRL 4057). The bias was clearly at the committee boat end and there was the usual eagerness for the favoured spot resulting in a couple of boats OCS. Mulligan & Bradley along with Gorman & Doorly were quick out of the blocks and we were to find out later why! As the boats headed in towards the shore to Battery mark Mulligan led the way followed closely by Gorman, McCourt and Green. A reach out to East mark saw Mulligan extend his lead but on the next exciting two sail reach Gorman and McCourt closed the gap. Gorman took the lead but inadvertently went through the start line where other boats were still starting to be later disqualified, McCourt moved into second .As the leaders headed to the finish line Gorman crossed but there was no hooter, McCourt was next and got his victory, Mulligan was next but no hooter allowing Green & Murphy to claim second spot with Colman & Quinn in third place. It was a great race and nice to see one of the new boats in the Royal St George take line honours.
Thanks to Jack and his team on Freebird for perservering and providing a great course.
This promises to be an exciting year for the class on the bay as there are now about 30 boats across the waterfront in the DMYC, RStGYC and the NYC.