Great DropChef Double Handed Race after uncertain start

18 August 2025
Great DropChef Double Handed Race after uncertain start

The annual DropChef Double Handed Race took place at Howth Yacht Club on Saturday 16th August, providing a superb morning of sailing for the ten-boat fleet.


With just ten minutes to go before the first gun at 09:55, conditions looked uncertain. The anemometer at the East Pier Starting Hut was barely showing three knots, and Race Officer Richard Kissane together with his team of volunteers were weighing up the prospect of an AP. Fortunately, the breeze filled in right on time, building to a steady 8–10 knots – perfect for double-handed racing and especially welcome for those hoisting spinnakers.
 
The course offered plenty of variety: a long beat out to the East mark, a run down to Dunbo, another beat back to East, and finally a downwind leg to the finish in the Sound. This gave competitors just over two hours of tactical racing in glorious summer conditions, before returning to the clubhouse in perfect time for lunch and the prizegiving.
 
DropChef generously sponsored the event, with CEO Ryan Scott attending to present prizes. Winners and their crews were delighted to receive DropChef vouchers – a great reward after an enjoyable morning afloat.
 
Results
 
1st IRC Spinnaker – Indian – Colm Buckley & Simon Knowles
1st HPH Spinnaker – Ghost Raider – Lynn Reilly & Daragh O’Connor
1st IRC Non-Spinnaker – Demelza – Steffi & Windsor
1st HPH Non-Spinnaker – Amuse2 – Jenny & Niall O’Leary
 
Smiles, sunshine, and close racing summed up the day – a wonderful showcase of double-handed sailing at HYC.