Baily Bowl Regatta 2005

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Baily Bowl Regatta 2005 By Peter Wallace

On Saturday and Sunday the 14th/15th of May the Baily Bowl regatta in Dun Loagharie was held on three different race courses to accomodate10 different classes of boats. On course C the 15`s and squibs were joined by First 31.7's on Sunday morning.

Saturday dawned with a 5/6, occasionally 7, Easterly which created a very big sea. However by noon a decision to send out the fleet was taken and 3 short races were completed in quick succession. During races 1 & 2 the wind was around 23/25 kts with the added problem of a very big and confused sea. During race 2 the wind started to ease back and by the time race 3 started we had 15/18 kts.

Race 1 was won by 7 of 9 from Full Marks and Fat Boat Slim. Gordon and Sian in 7 of 9 went right up the 1st beat whereas the others went left. When a big shift came in 7 of 9 had a great lead at the weather mark and never looked like being caught.

At the start of race 2 Gordy " put on a little back stay" (his words not mine) and  his brand new mast ended up resembled a banana, and they were forced to retire! The Markies took full advantage and Full Marks held off a challenge from Toy down the run, to win the race.

Race 3 was tight at the weather mark with both Full Marks and Fat Boat Slim gybing at the wing mark. Toy stayed on starboard and caught some great rollers before gybing late. Toy took the lead and held on to win.

Sunday was a very different day with light wind, more sun and no sea. Toy went right, along with 125, whereas the others went left. At the top mark Toy was 2nd with 125 leading but off wind Toy quickly took the lead and then managed to hold off Full Marks who took advantage of a vane of wind that no one else seemed to pick.

The final race saw Femme Fatale make a late appearance and she led up the 1st beat from Toy - Peter and Michael were intent on covering "the Markies"  and sat on them up to the weather mark which, because of tide, they hit. With a good lead now over Fullmark`s Toy tried to reel in Femme Fatale, eventually getting an overlap, but the leaders  skillfully defended their position and close covered on the short beat back to the finish.

A poor turnout for what is a very efficiently run event was disappointing but close racing, variable and tricky winds, and a race officer who did a great job in difficult conditions made for an enjoyable event and a great tune up at the start of the season.

OVERALL RESULTS.

1ST    TOY FOR THE BOYS  Peter Wallace and Michael Wright

2nd     FULL MARKS   Mark Brien and Mark Ennis

3rd      FAT BOAT SLIM  Wyatt Wright and Simon Hutchinson.

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