Brass Monkeys In Full Swing On A 2-Race Sunday
Brass Monkey sailors and the race committee led by RO Eoin Kernan faced a highly competitive two-race morning to catch up for the previous Sunday when Storm Bert was battering the racecourse.
Racing last Sunday was definitely a morning of two parts. The first race started with around 7 knots of wind, which increased somewhat with the boats already afloat. The second race began with 14 knots at the start, with some competitors reporting winds of 20 knots and excellent sailing conditions. This view was confirmed by the general results, which show how boat performance remarkably improved in stronger wind.
In Class 1, Stephen Harris’s Tiger (HYC) has a very slender lead over Bandersnatch (HYC), with Mary Ellen (HYC) in the third spot. These three boats are all on 18 points, followed by Arcturus, one point behind. Expect fierce racing in this class over the next two weeks leading to the end of this winter series.
In Class 2, Darren Wright and his NYYC Development Team on HYC J/80 are well ahead of the fleet, and they certainly have their eye further afield. Following them are the young sailing talents of Fifty Shades of Spray and the not-so-young crew of Age Before Beauty, two more J/80s in the HYC fleet. With two races to go, anything is possible in this class as well.
In Class 3, C'est La Vie (HYC) is leading with consistent positioning and a win over the past three races, followed by Thar Saile (HYC), another strong contender for the top spot on the podium. Jokers Wild (HYC) and Phixius (HYC) are in third and fourth positions. They have also shown that they are no strangers to victory during this series, so it only takes a small hiccup to change the balance here.
Two weeks remain for all the contenders to display their skills and secure the final trophies. The last race is on Saturday, December 14th, followed by the traditional Brass Monkey Prize Giving Lunch, which will see event prizes conferred, followed by the much-admired Brass Monkey Restaurant Prizes.
The cost for the Brass Monkeys Lunch is €22, and participation is open to all members who want to learn more about the Brass Monkeys and are considering crewing during the upcoming Brass Monkeys Spring Series. Bookings are open until Saturday, December 14th, at HYC Bar or by texting your name and number of attendees to 087 2713556. Bacon and cabbage are a tradition at this lunch. Please contact Pat Connolly if you have different dietary requirements.
Full results here.