The Offshore Racing Weekend started with a fast and furious race from Liverpool to Douglas with a fantastic spinnaker scream all the way!! The race took place at 18.00 on Friday the 6th June. The race start was postponed as the large fleet exited the lock from the marina.
The course set for the race sent the fleet beating from the start line at the Albert Dock up river to Pluckington Bank buoy and back to the Dukes buoy at the start line. From there the fleet under spinnaker wrestled with the fickle winds that bent around every building on the shore. All channel buoys were marks on the course and boats had to avoid restricted areas around drilling rigs while making their way to Douglas.
The winds were perfect for a fast “sleigh ride” to the finish. The easterly winds gave a perfect wind angle for a comfortable fast passage. The only weather feature that was causing concern to the fleet was the forecast for torrential rain. As the fleet approached Douglas, lightening was seen in the distance to the south.
The first boat in was “Jackknife” who finished approximately 0200hrs followed rapidly by the rest of the fleet and the last boat finishing approximately 0630hrs. “Jackknife” took Class 1 but failed to hold Overall.
“Bada Bing” took Overall and Class 2. Congratulations to Andy Napper, Andy and Annie Farrell for a great effort. Baba Bing a Humphreys 30 was previously known as Men Behaving Badly, and subsequently Hot Rats and was built at Firmhelm in Pwllheli. The Silver class was taken by “Big Deal”.
The welcome organised in Douglas by ISORA committee member Kuba Szymanski was most generous and the hot food and refreshments, prepared by the Sea Scouts, as the boats entered the harbour was appreciated by all competitors. A BBQ was arranged by Kuba for competitors in Douglas Yacht Club on Saturday evening. The Mayor and Lady Mayor of Douglas were present. Another great night was had by all.
After a most enjoyable day and evening in Douglas the ISORA fleet prepared for their next race to Dun Laoghaire. The start in Douglas bay was at 09.00 on Sunday morning as 18 ISORA boats made their way out of the inner harbour. The course was from the start, around the Kish Light and to the finish at the pier heads.
All forecasts were giving 20kts southerly increasing for a time to 25kts in the afternoon. At the start the wind was only 8-10kts but slowly built to the forecast 20kts soon after the start. Some of the fleet hugged the coast hoping for the “push off” from the tip of the IOM while others tacked south to find the south going tide.
The winds remained in the south and did freshen to 25kts in the afternoon. Those boats who took the southerly route were rewarded with not having the beat to the Kish.
“Jackknife” was again taking line honours but “Mojito” snatched the Overall and Class 1 placing from “Ruth”. Class 2 was won by “Adelie”. “Big Deal” again took Silver Class.
It was a most successful weekend with 18 ISORA boats taking part in each race. Although the race to Dun Laoghaire was difficult, it did not overshadow the great welcome and hospitality ISORA received in Douglas.
I would particularly like to thank Kuba Szymanski for all the hard work in arranging the facilities in the Isle of Man. ISORA looks forward to returning again next year.
The challenge for the ISORA Overall Championship is hotting up with four boats very close on points and with many other boats with all to play for.
The next big offshore race is the Round Ireland and we wish fair winds and safe passage to all ISORA boats taking part.
Peter Ryan,
Chairman ISORA
