News
ISORA News Items all in date order.
Over 120 people turned out for the ISORA lynx metmAst Pre-Season talk held in the National Yacht Club on the 27th March.
The first speaker was Capt Mick Liddy who gave a talk on “Offshore Navigation & Tactics"
Capt. “Mick” Liddy is an Air Corp Helicopter pilot / flight instructor with extensive Search & Rescue experience. Mick has recently spent time flying the Garda Air Support Helicopter and served with the UN in Liberia and Sierra Leone. He has also flown politicians and heads of state as part of his government service duties.
On the water, Mick has received even more plaudits. As one of Ireland’s most accomplished amateur offshore yachtsmen, he has held two World Sailing Records, including the record for the fastest solo sailing time around Ireland, and won the Double-handed Round Britain and Ireland race in 2006. He added a win in the Maxi World Championships in 2009, one of his many successful appearances for Ireland on the international yachting stage.
In 2010 he completed the Round Ireland Race with, visually impaired sailor, Mark Pollock.
The second speaker was Maurice “Prof” O’Connell,, North Sails Ireland who covered the topic of "Offshore Trim". Maurice has competed successfully in the Sydney Hobart, Fastnet and Round Ireland offshore races, has won numerous one-design national and international titles, was a member of the coaching team at the Athens Olympics in 2004 and campaigned for selection for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. He skippered “Legally Brunette” to victory in the 2009 Dun Laoghaire to Dingle Race. He currently assists teams from dinghies to big boats in maximising their performance on the water and also represents North Sails in Ireland. Prof is a member of the RCYC and RStGYC.
On completion of the talk, all those present were invited to the after talk reception. It was a great social event and a great start to the "ISORA lynx metmAsts 2013 Offshore Series".
Copies of the presentations:
Capt. Mick Liddy - Offshore Navigation and Tactics (pdf)
"Prof" O'Connell - Offshore Racing Trim (pdf)
ISORA Pre-Season Talk- ALL WELCOME!!!!!!!!!!.
National Yacht Club.
Wednesday 27th March 2013 – JB Room – 19.00.
Introduction to the ISORA lynx metmAsts Offshore Series 2013
Peter Ryan, Chairman ISORA
Offshore Sail Trim and Boat Speed.
Maurice “Prof” O’Connell, Northsails
Offshore Navigation – Dingle & Fastnet Race.
Capt. Mick Liddy, Irish Air Corp
Q&A
Wine Reception – 21.00
RSVP – Peter Ryan
You can now enter any or all of the ISORA races in 2013 online by following this LINK
Welcome to the ISORA web site - home of the "ISORA lynx metmAsts Offshore Racing Series 2013"
ISORA (Irish Sea Offshore Racing Association) is the Association that has been running offshore yacht racing on the Irish Sea since 1971. The Association is run in conjunction with all the leading yacht clubs on the east coast of Ireland and on the west coast of Wales and England and the Isle of Man.
We are pleased to announce that this season the ISORA Offshore Series in 2013 is being sponsored by lynx metmAsts. Information on lynx metmAsts can be obtained by clicking the HERE. The series will be known as the "ISORA lynx metmAsts Offshore Racing Series 2013". ISORA feels that this association with lynx metmAsts will help further promote its offshore racing to a wider audience and will greatly help in attracting more new boats to its offshore race series.
It will run twelve races as part of the "ISORA lynxmAsts Offshore Racing Series 2013". They will consist of traditional offshore races of distances from 50 to 270 miles and long day and night inshore races of under 50 miles. Some of the races are also run in conjunction with the Royal Alfred Yacht Club. The Dingle Skellig Hotel Dun Laoghaire to Dingle Race is run in conjunction with the National Yacht Club and the Lyver Race is run in conjunction with Liverpool Yacht Club. The race schedule has been designed to tie up with other popular racing events such as the ICRA (Irish Cruiser Racing Association) Nationals in Fenit in June, the Arklow Turbine Race also in June, the Dun Laoghaire Regatta in July and and the Abersoch Keelboat Week in August.
We are pleased to announce that this year the Dun Laoghaire Regatta are providing a Coastal Series as part of the racing schedule. We are confident that this will attract those offshore boats that would otherwise not have entered. Also this year the fleet will be heading to the Isle of Man for the start of a race to Dun Laoghaire in May.
To ensure a better spread of prizes, ISORA has a Silver Fleet for those boats that may not be high specification racing machines or who take a more Corinthian approach to offshore racing. The list of boats who qualify for the fleet will be selected immediately prior to the first race.
While offshore racing can be difficult at times, it is very rewarding for all those who take part. There is great camaraderie among all the boats and crew that take part in the races, resulting in a great social scene in the host clubs before and after racing.
If you are a boat owner and are thinking of entering or you are interesting in crewing on an offshore boat, we would love to hear from you. You can contact me by using the "Forum" section of this site or directly by
To make it easier, you can now enter online application by clicking here.
For any further information on ISORA contact me directly at
We hope to see you on the start line of our "ISORA lynx metmAsts Offshore Racing Series 2013".
Peter Ryan,
Chairman
Race Schedule 2013 (pdf)
Amateur Yacht and Dinghy Racing
Where and when did our sport emerge?
Who gave the lead?
Who wrote the rules?
Hal Sisk’s richly illustrated new book describes how the worldwide sport was first popularised and formatted by the pioneering yachtsmen of Dublin Bay.
ISORA members on both sides of the water can take pride in this authoritative new yachting history drawing from contemporary sources. The remarkable initiatives of the Royal Alfred Yacht Club were copied worldwide. This Dublin club drew members from all around the Irish Sea, and it was the first club to include Offshore Racing as an annual event in its programme, and this continued for 57 years, long before the RORC was founded. The Alfred also pioneered single and double handed racing.
At €15 or £12, “Dublin Bay the Cradle of Yacht Racing is a perfect Christmas present, and is available from Dún Laoghaire yacht clubs, Viking Marine, and directly from www.peggybawnpress.com
[Yachting historian Hal Sisk was Vice Chairman and co-founder with Dickie Richardson of the original ISORA, and he campaigned for many years in Sarnia, Alouette de Mer and the famous Standfast (Champion 1978).]
The annual ISORA prize giving dinner dance too place at the National Yacht Club in Dun Laoghaire on the 17th November. The 130 members and guests that attended were rewarded with a fantastic evening.
The special guests of the evening were the Commodores and wives of the National Yacht Club, Royal Dee Yacht Club and the Royal Alfred Yacht Club. It was a unique event having the three clubs represented. between them they represent 505 years of sailing existence!!! Also present was lats year's ISORA Champion, Matt Davis.
The evening started with a sparkling wine reception in the JB Room. The dinner commenced by grace, said by Michael Horgan Jnr. After the reception the members and guests made their way to the NYC's fantastic dining room for dinner.
During the sumptuous feast that followed the various toasts were made by the special guests and myself. A copy of the menu is attached below.
The prize giving was done immediately after the dinner. This resulted in the popping of celebratory corks!!! Full details of the prize winners can be found below.
The ISORA Champion for 2012 "Sgrech" Stephen Tudor was presented with the coveted "Wolf's Head" trophy by the Commodore of the Royal Dee Yacht Club, Derek Mathews. Stephen's acceptance speech can be seen on the following LINK.
Of those who still had any energy a disco was provided in the JB Room.
The evening was recorded by Gerry O'Sullivan of GP Photo who also provided a most unusual display of photographs of the various ISORA boats. A link to Gerry's photographs is provided here: LINK I would recommend that you have a look at Gerry's most interesting and unusual ISORA Exhibition by following the LINK
The photographs may also be viewed in the gallery section of this website.
Annual Prize Dinner menu 2012 (pdf)
Prize list 2012 - Distribution at dinner (pdf)
17th November 2012.
The ISORA series in 2012 consisted of 10 races in total - 5 offshore races and 5 day races. Four day races took lace from Dun Laoghaire while two day races took place from Pwllheli. The races included the usual ports of Dun Laoghaire, Holyhead, Pwllheli, Wicklow and Howth. For the first time in some years we had a start from Conwy. ISORA worked with the NYC, Royal Alfred Yacht Club, Pwllheli Sailing Club, Holyhead Sailing Club, Conwy Sailing Club, Howth Yacht Club and Wicklow Sailing Club. I would like to thank all the these clubs for the facilities they freely provide to ISORA, without them, we would have no racing or social life.
Despite a general levelling off in numbers of entries for races, the Night Race in July had a record 22 starters on the line and all finished. There is a definite increase in interest in the long day races by the normal “Bay” racers. Some of our regular boats did not race this year due to damage. Our offshore Champion for 2011, “Raging Bull” was badly damaged soon after launching in April. I am glad to advise that “Raging Bull” will be back next season. “Quite Correct” was damaged in the last race of 2010 and only returned for the last race this year.
Most of the boats taking part are still mainly from the Irish side but the numbers of boats from Wales are increasing. Holyhead was represented by “Pipe Dreamer” this season while the Isle of Man was represented by “Polished Manx” and “Ocean Tango”. I feel that the continuing success of the Lyver Race could attract more boats from North Wales / Anglesey / Liverpool area next year. Again, we had a significant decline in the numbers of two-handed boats taking part. This was particularly disappointing as I had hoped that that type of racing was a growing strongly. I also feel that the creation of the Silver Fleet class helped attract more boats.
After many years of pushing I am pleased to advise you that the organisers of the Dun Laoghaire Regatta in July next year will be providing a Coastal Series of races – similar to our day races, as part of the main event. I feel that this will attract those boats that prefer the longer racing legs and want to fly a spinnaker. I have great hopes that this will coax even more boats to go offshore. I have been given preliminary the NoR for this event and have distributed them around today. I hope all ISORA boats will support this new event during the DL Regatta.
The series ended with the traditional “James Eadie” race from Pwllheli to Dun Loaghaire. An “end of season” late night party took place in the NYC after the race, and proved to be very successful.
The results in 2012 has been dominated by the “J Boats” – “Sgrech” from Pwllheli, “Joker 2” and “Jedi” from Dun Laoghaire and also by the “First Boats” – “Adelie” and two-handed “Lula Belle”. “Sgrech” is our ISORA Offshore Champion for 2012 taking the coveted “Wolf head Trophy” followed by “Joker 2” and “Jedi”. The Silver Fleet has been very successful this year. “Lancastrian” is the overall winner for this fleet.
For the first time in many years an ISORA race was sponsored. The race from Pwllheli to Wicklow in June was generously sponsored by Michael Martyn of “lynx metmAsts” who also kindly donated an additional trophy for the winner. The winner of this race was the two-handed “Lula Belle” and the trophy was presented to Liam Coyne and Brian Flahive. I am happy to announce that I have negotiated sponsorship for the entire series next season. The series will be known as the “ISORA lynx metmAsts Offshore Series 2013”. This sponsorship will provide additional funds and facilities to allow us to promote ISORA even stronger. We hope to have a feature article in the Afloat annual at Christmas.
The highlight of the year is the annual ISORA prize giving dinner in the NYC tonight. We are honoured that the Commodore of the Royal Dee Yacht Club, Mr. Derek Mathews, will be attending as guest and will present the champion boat with the “Wolf’s Head Trophy”. This trophy belongs to the Royal Dee whose emblem is the “Wolf’s Head”. Also attending with be the Commodore of the Royal Alfred Yacht Club, Barry MacNeaney and Commodore of the NYC, Paul Barrington. This is a unique event as the Royal Dee and the Royal Alfred are one of the oldest yacht clubs in these waters, possibly in the world.
The high point scoring system is proving very effective and it is intended to keep using this system for the Series. I have to thank Stephen Tudor for the huge work he puts into producing the very detailed overall and class results after each race.
Problems with boats getting crew, was a significant factor in some of the boats not taking part. My role as “Universal Crew Boss” had very limited affect this season as there were relatively few new crew applying for places and those “rookies” from last season are all hardened “salts” with permanent places on boats. I am going to experiment again using “Dropbox” to maintain a live resister of available crew next season.
Our long-standing and successful relationship with the Royal Alfred Yacht Club with whom we take part in the day races from Dun Laoghaire, continues to be a very fruitful relationship and I am anxious to continue to develop it. For next year there are already discussions taking place with Liverpool YC and the Royal Dee YC about the "Lyver Race", and the National Yacht Club about the "Dingle Skellig Hotal Dun Laoghaire to Dingle race".
I have just collected the full ISORA trophy inventory that has been refurbished and brought back to its former glory. These trophies will be on display in the dining room later. This is a unique collection of trophies and it is ISORA’s greatest asset and attraction.
The ISORA website is looking good and the content is building up. It was used as the main information source this season and I hope this will continue. I would like to thank our WebMaster, Mark Southee, who looks after the technical aspects of the site for no cost. I really appreciate his assistance and generosity. I would also like to thank Vicky Howells who looks after the ISORA Facebook page.
Next year, the main offshore events are the “Dun Laoghaire to Dingle Race” and the “Fastnet Race”. These events have always helped to attract additional boats and new boats to offshore racing. I hope ISORA can again capitalise on this next season with boats seeking pre-race offshore experience.
Unfortunately this year we did not get a chance to use the “virtual” marks (GPS Coordinates) in the middle of the Irish Sea to give better courses. We managed to have a beat in every race and sail our normal course. I hope next season that we can test out this innovative approach to offshore marks.
Regarding the finances, we are maintaining our funds and are generally working on the funds provided each year by the entries that year. However, the sponsorship obtained this season from “lynx metmAsts” covered the cost of the refurbishment work to the trophies. I can assure you that ISORA is being run at no cost to the members as all work is done on a voluntary basis. All entries collected largely goes back to the members in the form of prizes.
I would like to thank the National Yacht Club for their continued support for ISORA. Their assistance over the last six years has been a critical part of the revival of ISORA.
Last but not least I would like to thank our Vice Chairman, Gerry Williams, Hon Secretary – Stephen Tudor and the Hon Treasurer – Vincent Farrell for all their assistance and advice during the last year.
Peter Ryan
Chairman ISORA
[nggallery id=18]
I attach the Agenda for the AGM to be held in the NYC at 15.30 on Saturday 17th November. I also attach a first draft of a race schedule that I would like feedback on. The race schedule can only be agreed at the AGM but thoughts / feedback on it would be appreciated beforehand. If there is any topic that should be added to the agenda, please contact me.
I hope to see many of you at the AGM and the Annual ISORA Prize Giving Dinner on the 17th November. It is guaranteed to be a great night.
I would appreciate it if all of the major prize winners were present at the dinner. Failing that, if arrangements were made with those attending to collect the prizes. The trophies are valuable and will not be left around if not collected on the night.
Peter Ryan
Chairman
AGM Agenda 2012 (pdf)
T
he results for the RAYC 2012 Coastal Series, that was run over three races and in close co-operation with ISORA, are set out below.
The Royal Alfred Yacht Club will be awarding two trophies - one for the Gold fleet and one for the Silver fleet. So Congratulations to Jedi and African Challenge on their successful campaigns.
Whilst in the Silver Fleet African Challenge looked in contention throughout, it was only the last race that pushed Jedi from second to first place in the Gold fleet.
Well done to all the competitors and the RAYC look forward to seeing a large number of you at the Royal Alfred Yacht Club Dinner and Prize-giving on Friday 30th November in the National Yacht Club, especially the Skipper and crew of the two winning yachts.
Commodore of the Royal Alfred Yacht Club, Mr. Barry MacNeaney, has also announced that ISORA Chairman, Peter Ryan will be awarded the Dr. John O'Leary Trophy for "Services to Sailing" at the dinner.
RAYC Coastal Series
Gold Fleet:
Jedi
Tsunami
Joker2
Lulu Belle
Adelie
Legally Blonde
Silver Fleet
African Challenge
Lancastrian
Rebellion
Sarnia
The MOD70 European Tour called to Dun Laoghaire and treated the thousands that lined the pier with a most amazing spectacle. The event was hosted by the National yacht and Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company. See also the MOD 70 website.
The photographs in the gallery below were taken by the extraordinary photographer and member of the NYC, Michael Chester.
Enjoy!!!
This is a "must read" for every offshore sailor.
For the full report, follow the link here
Dear Sailing Friends,
Irish Sea Tall Ships Regatta (ISTSR) 2012
This Regatta will take place between the 26th and 29th August 2012 with a port visit to Dublin from 23 – 26 August and on completion of the Regatta, a port visit to Liverpool from 30 August to 2 September.
The Regatta will not be a straight race between two points. Instead, Captains will be given a series of waypoints and they will choose their own course using these waypoints, the aim being to cover the greatest distance possible in the time allowed. Prizes will be awarded to vessels that have covered the greatest distance calculated by the legs completed between the waypoints given, with the overall distance then corrected with a distance correction factor, a form of handicap used by Sail Training International to enable the great variety of vessels that we have taking part in our races to compete against one another. Captains will be given a full briefing in Dublin prior to departure.
Participation in the Regatta will require vessels to agree to be in the host ports at each end of the event. In the case of Dublin (the start port) vessels must be in port from midday on 23 August until departure in a parade of sail on 26 August. The Regatta will then start on the evening of 26 August. At the end of the Regatta which will probably be sometime on 29 August, vessels must be in Liverpool from midday 30 August until departure in a parade of sail down the Mersey at around 1pm on 2 September. The in-port days will involve crew activities, parties, dinners for the Captains, a crew parade, etc - large crowds of the general public are always attracted to see the vessels.
In order to participate you do not have to have access to or own a Tall Ship like a square rigger! We race in 4 classes as follows:
Class A – square rigged vessels and all other vessels over 40m LOA
Class B – traditionally rigged vessels with LOA less than 40m and a minimum waterline length of 9.14m
Class C – modern rigged vessels with LOA less than 40m and a minimum water length of 9.14m, not carrying spinnaker- like sails.
Class D – modern rigged vessels with LOA less than 40m and a minimum waterline length of 9.14m, and carrying spinnaker- like sails.
Any yacht owner or Yacht Club wishing to take this unique opportunity to enter this Regatta will be assured of a warm welcome. A lot more information can be obtained from the Sail Training International website – !www.sailtraininginternational.org – and/or by contacting the office in Gosport and speaking either to myself (the Race Director) or to Janet Gauntlett, the Race Director’s assistant. I am attaching a copy of an Entry Form for the Regatta for your information.
I look forward to welcoming you to this Irish Sea Tall Ships Regatta – our first Irish Entry, already received, is from Cork in the form of a yacht “Spirit of Oysterhaven”. We have also been told to expect an entry from the Irish Navy yacht – Creidne. I very much look forward to further entries from the Emerald Isle.
With best wishes,
Mike Bowles MBE MNI
Race Director – Irish Sea Tall Ships Regatta 2012
Sail Training International
Office: 0044 (0) 2392 586367
Mobile: 0044 (0) 7962 075750
www.sailtraininginternational.org
ISORA Boats in Round Ireland Race 2012
All boats will be fitted with trackers so you can follow the race. See the Round Ireland website after the start of the race: http://www.roundirelandyachtrace.ie
|
|
ENTRANT |
CLUB |
NAME |
TYPE |
SAIL NO |
TCC |
LOA |
DRAFT |
SAILED BY |
||
|
4 |
- |
- |
Peter Hall |
NYC |
Adelie |
First 34.7 |
IRL 9631 |
1.004 |
10.3 |
2.00 |
Conor Haughton |
|
2 |
|
|
James Tyrrell |
Arklow SC |
Aquelina |
J 122 |
IRL 1281 |
1.085 |
12.19 |
2.20 |
James Tyrrell |
|
1 |
|
|
Payne & Young |
Poolbeg BC |
English Mick |
Beneteau First 47.7 |
GBR 4771R |
1.122 |
14.5 |
2.87 |
Carol Payne & Ciaran Young |
|
4 |
- |
- |
Ronan O’Siochru |
DMYC |
IOSS- Desert Star |
Sunfast 37 |
IRL1397 |
TBC |
11.4 |
1.95 |
Ronan O’Siochru |
|
3 |
|
|
Sarratt, Austin & McGuinness |
RIYC & RStGYC |
Jedi |
J109 |
8088 |
1.019 |
10.74 |
2.10 |
Andrew Sarratt |
|
3 |
- |
- |
John Maybury |
RIYC |
Joker 2 |
J109 |
IRL 1206 |
1.021 |
10.74 |
2.08 |
John Maybury |
|
2 |
5 |
- |
Neil Eatough |
R St.G YC |
Lancasrtian |
Starlight 46 |
GBR 7682T |
1.058 |
14.3 |
2.21 |
Neil Eatough |
|
4 |
8 |
|
Coyne /Flahive |
WSC |
LC Tyres Lulabelle |
Beneteau 36.7 |
IRL3607 |
1.006 |
10.66 |
2.21 |
Coyne /Flahive |
|
4 |
|
|
Paul Egan |
RStGYC |
Legally Blonde |
Beneteau 31.7 |
IRL 3175 |
0.954 |
9.48 |
1.90 |
Philip Doyle |
|
3 |
- |
- |
Peter Dunlop |
Pwllheli SC |
Midnight Mojito |
Elan 350 |
GBR 1549R |
1.025 |
10.6 |
2.15 |
P Dunlop & V. Cox |
|
2 |
- |
- |
Cathal Clarke |
WIORA-NUIGSC |
NUI Galway |
Reflex 38 |
7386 |
1.057 |
11.58 |
2.30 |
Cathal clarke |
|
4 |
8 |
|
Floate & Norton |
IOM YC & WSC |
Ocean Tango |
Dehler 34 |
GBR 6848T |
0.927 |
10.14 |
1.76 |
Floate & Norton |
|
4 |
7 |
|
Jerry Collins |
RStGYC |
Persistance |
Sigma 38 |
IRL 8237 |
0.985 |
11.55 |
2.08 |
Jerry Collins |
|
4 |
8 |
|
Anthony Keane |
RStGYC |
Pink Panter |
Jeanneau 40.3 |
IRL2504 |
0.940 |
11.75 |
1.50 |
Keane & MacFhionnlaoich |
|
4 |
5 |
6 |
Michael Creedon |
NYC |
Sarnia |
S & S |
IRL 2260 |
0.891 |
10.97 |
2.00 |
Michael Creedon |
|
3 |
- |
- |
Stephen Tudor |
CH Pwllheli SC |
Sgrech |
J109 |
GBR 9319R |
1.021 |
10.74 |
2.10 |
Stephen Tudor |
Prizes: (To be presented at the ISORA Dinner in November)
These prizes are in addition to those presented by WSC. |
|||||||||||
To see other entries follow the LINK
ISORA are very pleased to announce that they have teamed up with lynx metmAsts to promote the Pwllheli to Wicklow race on the 2nd June. The race will be known as the lynx metmAsts ISORA Pwllheli to Wicklow race.
The race is a 100 mile Round Ireland qualifier. Weather permitting, the course will include rounding the wind turbines on the Arklow Bank.
lynx metmAsts will be hosting a reception in Pwllheli Sailing Club for all entrants on the evening before the race. Details of this will be announced nearer the date.
lynx metmAsts will be presenting a new trophy to the Overall winner of the race. It is hoped that this presentation will take place immediately after the race in Wicklow Sailing Club.
ISORA feels that this association with lynx metmAsts will help promote its offshore racing to a wider audience and will greatly help in attracting more new boats to its race series.
For details of lynx metmAsts follow this LINK
No words can add to this account of a tragic offshore disaster.
A survivors account of the race can be accessed by clicking the attached link: Survivor's Account
2025 Class bands are anticipated as follows:
Class 0 = 1.070 or greater
Class 1 = 1.010 to 1.069
Class 2 = 1.009 or less
2025 bands will be published before the first Race.
More DetailsPlease Get in Touch to Know More About ISORA
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