Musto ISORA race from Pwllheli to Dun Laoghaire
by Vicky Cox 27 May 17:44 NZST
25-26 May 2024
This weekend saw the ISORA (Irish Sea Offshore Racing Association) return race from Pwllheli to Dun Laoghaire with a commendable entry list from Pwllheli Sailing Club making up 9 of the 13 entries.
The start, off Gimblet rock allowed spectators a chance to view the fleet in the sunshine from both Gimblet rock and Gimblet holiday park as well as along South Beach as they headed to PSC racing mark number 2 at the west end.
The start was staggered, allowing class 2 slower boats a 30 minute head start at 0800, followed by class 1 15 minutes later, and lastly the faster boats in class 0 at 0830.
Weather and winds of around 8kts were pleasant enough to allow the fleet good progress out through St. Tudwall sound and west with the strong tide through Bardsey Sound before heading northwest towards Dublin bay.
Once in the Irish Sea though, reduced wind in the sails combined with a strong chop on the water, killed any momentum making for slow progress in places. Those at the back of the fleet were affected the most, and sadly Paul&Sam Kitteringham's Finally was left floating in barely any wind, forcing them to retire and head back home without tasting the Dublin Guinness.
For the rest of the Pwllheli fleet it was a successful outing with a strong performance from Andrew&Sam Hall's Jackknife who took first place followed by Peter Dunlop&Victoria Cox's Mojito second, both overall.
In class 1, Ashley Field's Panache took 2nd and Excession 3rd and it is safe to say that the Pwllheli Sailing Club fleet dominated the race results with the remaining 4 boats, Jezebel(Chris Miles), Lightening (Paul Sutton), Gelert(Brian Dixon) and Faenol (Stephen Goddard) all making it to the Dun Laoghaire finish, to enjoy refreshments in the National Yacht Club before returning home early the next morning.