Guy Kilroy clinches fourth win in row in Dún Laoghaire Regatta

Regatta attracts combined fleet of 475 boats competing in 35 events

Alan Harper’s entry Leaky Roof 2 at the Dún Laoghaire Regatta 2017 where a fleet of 475 boats have gathered for the biennial four-day series. Photograph: David Branigan/Oceansport

Despite good racing conditions inside Dublin Bay on Friday, light winds frustrated many of the classes competing in the long coastal course of the Volvo Dún Laoghaire Regatta, which was shortened by late afternoon off Bray.

A combined fleet of 475 boats are competing in 35 events including seven national and regional championships as part of the regatta.

By far the best conditions were off Seapoint Bay for the various dinghy classes.

Among the traditional Water Wags, the world’s oldest one-design dinghy, Guy Kilroy added his fourth straight win of the series to lead his class though must still contend with Claudine Murphy’s Mariposa just five points behind in second place.

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Straight wins

There were other straight wins on record elsewhere with Richard Colwell’s Fusion from Howth leading Class 3 on IRC handicap with his Corby 25 footer.

In the 31-boat Coastal Race fleet, George Sisk’s Wow! enjoyed a 25-minute lead on the water to win the class for the day although Kenny Rumball’s Jedi is the overall leader after two races.

Racing continues though with a one-hour postponement to allow for viewing the Lions’ Tour match, while Sunday’s final includes a finishing line for many of the fleets inside Dún Laoghaire’s harbour that is celebrating its 200th anniversary this year.

David Branigan

David Branigan

David Branigan is a contributor on sailing to The Irish Times