After the testing conditions on the opening day of the Autumn League, sailors hoping for a gentler outing on Saturday were once again disappointed. Boat handling skills were put to the test as average wind speeds climbed to just over 20 knots, with gusts reaching 28 knots during the latter half of racing.

 

In the offshore fleet, Classes 1, 2 and 3 completed two windward/leeward races to make up for the lost second race from the previous week, while Classes 4 and 5 contested round-the-cans courses, finishing in the Sound.

 

In Class 1, Michael and Richard Evans’ The Big Picture extended their line honours winning streak to three races, while also taking IRC victory in the first race. Stephen Quinn’s Lambay Rules claimed the HPH win in the opening race and went on to secure IRC victory in the second. In Class 2, Anton Korshunov’s Symmetry took line honours and IRC honours in Race 1, while Caroline and Nico Gore-Grimes claimed both line honours and IRC victory in Race 2. In Class 3, Vincent Gaffney’s Alliance won both races on IRC. Chris Shackleton’s Johnny Bravo won the first race on HPH, while Malahide Yacht Club’s Pat and Neil Higginbotham took the second HPH win aboard Lazy Bones.

 

The round-the-cans races for the two non-spinnaker classes covered just over seven miles. In Class 4, Dermot Skehan’s Toughnut won on IRC, while Colm Bermingham’s Bite the Bullet took HPH honours. In Class 5, Jason Murray and Eamonn Burke’s Leeuwin followed up their opening-week success with another victory and now lead the standings in both HPH and ORC.

 

 

In the inshore fleet, the Puppeteer 22s completed three races as part of their National Championships. Across the two Autumn League races, Nigel Biggs’ Nimon dominated the scratch results in the Puppeteer fleet, with David Clarke’s Harlequin second. Alans Pearson and Blay aboard Trick or Treat took the HPH first place. Paul & Laura McMahon’s Shiggi Shiggi took the second podium spot. You can read a full race report for the Puppeteer 22 National Championship here.

 

 

The Howth 17 fleet, keeping south of the Sound and away from the tight racing of the Puppeteers, battled the strong westerlies to complete two races around the cans. Their slightly later start benefitted them greatly, as they got to see Ireland’s Eye lit up at closer quarters. A great course was laid by RO Mike Head, and despite some retirements due to the wind, nine boats crossed the final mark at Dungeon. The results saw another consistent performance from Massey, Toomey and Kenny on Deilginis, taking first on scratch, ahead of Marc Fitzgibbon & Donal Gallagher aboard Orla and the Turveys’ Isobel. On HPH, Oona, Anna and Aura (Peter Courtney, Gerry Comerford and Ian Malcolm respectively) claimed the top three places.

 

The Squibs remained ashore this week, a respectable call given the high winds.

 

Despite the blustery conditions, all fleets returned ashore to enjoy the warmth of the clubhouse and well-earned rounds of smash burgers. The first prizegiving of the series was held afterwards and, with two weeks now complete, the Autumn League leaderboards are already beginning to take shape.

 

Any photos of this year's Autumn League are greatly appreciated - the link to add your pictures is here.