One small cohort has welcomed the series of low pressures we have seen so far this Summer. The Melges fleets in Dun Laoghaire and Howth have been enjoying the great sailing conditions on offer, even if the expected blue summer skies have been forty shades of gray.

Close racing at the regatta 564 (Sheehy) leads 569 (Evans)

RSGYC Regatta

The RSGYC Regatta provided epic conditions for racing. PRO Suzanne McGarry and her team provided three 45 minute races for the fleet in an oscillating breeze in strength between 8 & 20 knots. Making guest appearances for the regatta were top skiff sailors Sean Donnelly and Adam Hyland and a Laser 49erFx mix of Liam Glynn and Ellie Cunnane. As expected these two teams were quickly on the pace and in the action jostling with the Dublin Bay fleet regulars and two Howth teams, Mike and Michelle Evans and Cormac and Aoibhin Farrelly.

Theo and Clodagh Lyttle leading race 3 and setting the top speed of the day at 17.3 knots

Each race had multiple lead changes and a different winner with Sean and Adam taking the first race. Race two saw Mike and Michelle briefly in the lead before slowly being caught and passed by Liam and Ellie whose superior hoists and drops gave them an edge. Race three looked to be going the way of John and Katie Sheehy who had established a big lead after connecting a few gusts on some fast downwind sailing. Theo and Clodagh Lyttle were not to be deterred though with ex pilot Theo finding his own private thermal to fly down the last downwind and take the win.

Theo and Clodagh also set the top speed for the fleet at 17.3 knots, on a day that showcased the stable high performance of the Melges 15. The boat trackers indicated that most boats covered over 35km at the regatta so a tired but elated fleet welcomed a cool drink after racing. John and Katie with 3 second places took the overall win just about holding off class debutants Sean and Adam.

HYC update

The Howth fleet have been quick to find their feet after the arrival of 12 boats in May. Thursday night sailing has typically seen at least 7 boats out racing and in a new initiative Sunday afternoon racing has started giving the fleet the opportunity for more sailing and racing as they get used to the boats. With the Irish nationals set for Howth on August 24th and 25th the local sailors will be pushing hard for a home victory.

Father and son Will and Gary Cullen enjoying true Summer conditions

With last weekend finally delivering some sunshine and gentle breezes, Sarah Robertson and team pulled together a very successful family day enabling members to get out sailing and test the Howth Yacht Club owned Melges 15 in a fun format. With some sailors as young as 11 the sailing pipeline in Fingal County remains strong !

Thrills and no Spills for the Melges 15 fleet this so far Summer