|
North Sails/Boyd Boats J/109 Training Weekend, 24th – 27th April 2009, Dun Laoghaire |
|
|
|
|
Thursday, 30 April 2009 |
|
Nine J/109s turned out for this year’s session at the National Yacht Club, Dun Laoghaire. They included regular visitors, Jukebox (Pwhelli Sailing Club, Wales) and Aquelina (Arklow Sailing Club), whilst new boat Storm travelled across the bay from Howth. Two other new boats to the J/109 Irish fleet, Jalapeno and Jura (reportedly to be renamed Jekyll and Hyde) joined local boats Windmill, Joker II, Indecision and Powder Monkey. Maurice “Prof” O’Connell of North Sails pulled the whole programme together, imparting his extensive knowledge (combined with wit) to an attentive audience. The Prof was ably assisted by Nigel Young and James Knight of North Sails, and they set the tone on Friday evening with a presentation on the fundamentals of J/109 sailing. Despite Saturday morning being quite gloomy, the fleet got in a couple of practice races before taking part in the regular Dublin Bay SC race which was marked by sunshine and good breeze. The fine conditions provided challenging reaches and runs testing crew work to the full. Sunday morning was calm at first, which provided a great opportunity for North Sails to demonstrate live trim control effects. By 1300, te breeze kicked in enough for a further four races during which James and Nigel moved around the fleet providing coaching, whilst Prof videoed the starts and mark roundings providing for a certain amount of mirth in the de-briefing that followed. As usual the National YC proved to be a most hospitable venue and will also be the harbour for the J/109s during Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta in July. Once again, a valuable start to the new season, which is packed with events – Dun Laoghaire to Dingle Offshore race, ICRA Championships, Sovereigns Cup and Volvo Dun Laoghaire regatta. The Irish/Irish Sea J/109 fleet now numbers some 21 boats, so some great racing and craic ahead of us. |
