Malahide Yacht Club were hosts for the second of three Polar Series Sundays.
Wind conditions were generally westerly, about 12 knots, and the waters of the Broadmeadows were relatively flat. The sun of the morning had given over to cloud in the afternoon and there was a definite nip in the air.
There was a 100% increase in the turnout with 16 competitors on the water. It was good to see some of the local MYC oppy sailors, a couple of sailors over from Dun Laoghaire, as well as the core bunch from HYC (including a couple who missed day 1).
Neil Murphy was again the PRO (the result of dual club membership of HYC & MYC) and as always banged-off the racing on time, at noon.
A bunch of the fleet was over the line, which resulted in a general re-call after the first start.
The second start (under the 'I' flag) was more controlled with Matt O'Dowd (RStGYC) taking a narrow lead that he held to the finish. Races 2 & 3 were also under the 'I' flag as the PRO was cognisant of the temperature and aimed to avoid delays on the water.
The racing was very close throughout the day. So close in fact, that the local bookmakers turned down the opportunity to give odds on any of the sailors as they felt that they couldn't win.
Up to 10 of the 16 entrants were capable of winning a race.
The PRO decided on a two-lap course on the basis that more corners meant closer racing and that was what the sailors got. The bigger sailors had to sail high to keep the competition behind them but this banana shaped reach resulted in an opportunity for the back-markers to sail a straight line and get back into the fray.
2004 European Optimist Team members, Tim O'Laoire (HYC) and Diana Kissane (HYC) were most consistently to the fore on the day with Tim especially on form with a 2, 1, 1 result.
In the 'Silver' fleet, local hero, Conor Murphy (MYC) was consistent with results 12,11,12 ahead of former Malahide sparring partner Scott Flanigan (HYC/MYC) who had three 13th places.
Brendan Costello (MYC) was best of the 'Bronze' ahead of brave attempts by Ali Dix (HYC) and Meghan Darmody (HYC) who are to be commended for competing in this 'den of lions'.
After racing and after the food/refreshments, MYC Commodore, Vincent Lundy, thanked all the competitors for supporting the event. He said that there is ample capacity for more dinghy racing in Broadmeadows and that given that half of the up-coming Trials in 2005 are to be hosted by MYC, it was in everyone's interests to train there.
HYC Optimist Class Captain, Robert Dix announced that Prof O'Connell would be holding Open Coaching in Broadmeadows on Sunday 21 November. All sailors should be there in track-suits at 09:00 for fitness training.
Attendance prizes were raffled. The winners were Ali Dix, Katie White, Andrew Ryan, & Conor Murphy.
Special thanks must be paid to chief organiser of the MYC event, David West (who also roped-in his wife, Deirdre and ex-oppy son, Rory to assist).
Mary White also jumped into action on the day and helped out with food and hot drinks for the sailors after racing.
Conor Costello & co manned the committee boat and the crew deserves a special mention because at least when you're racing you can keep warm. It's a lot harder to do so in an open committee-boat!
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Race Results Day 2 MYC - 14 November 2004
| Race 1 | Race 2 | Race 3 |
| 1 | 1120 | 1 | 1141 | 1 | 1141 |
| 2 | 1141 | 2 | 1023 | 2 | 1023 |
| 3 | 1052 | 3 | 1052 | 3 | 1115 |
| 4 | 1115 | 4 | 1120 | 4 | 1120 |
| 5 | 1023 | 5 | 1116 | 5 | 962 |
| 6 | 1063 | 6 | 1113 | 6 | 1116 |
| 7 | 1113 | 7 | 927 | 7 | 1113 |
| 8 | 927 | 8 | 962 | 8 | 1029 |
| 9 | 1116 | 9 | 1115 | 9 | 1052 |
| 10 | 1029 | 10 | 1063 | 10 | 1063 |
| 11 | 962 | 11 | 914 | 11 | 927 |
| 12 | 914 | 12 | 1029 | 12 | 914 |
| 13 | 937 | 13 | 937 | 13 | 937 |
| 14 | 503 | 14 | 503 | 14 | 503 |
| 15 | 696 | DNF | 696 | DNF | 696 |
| 16 | 888 | DNF | 888 | DNF | 888 |
Overall Results after 6 races
| Sail | Helm | Club(s) | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | R5 | R6 | Total |
| 1141 | Timothy O'Laoire | HYC/ BSC | 3 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 |
| 1023 | Diana Kissane | HYC/ SDC | 5 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 9 |
| 927 | Katie White | HYC/ MYC | 2 | 7 | 1 | 8 | 7 | 11 | 17 |
| 1063 | Ryan Scott | HYC/ SDC | 4 | 6 | 2 | 6 | 10 | 10 | 18 |
| 1116 | Ross Darmody | HYC | 8 | 4 | 4 | 9 | 5 | 6 | 19 |
| 1029 | Andrew Tyrrell | HYC | 6 | 5 | 7 | 10 | 12 | 8 | 26 |
| 1120 | Matt O'Dowd | RSGYC | 18 | 18 | 18 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 27 |
| 1077 | Patrick Dix | HYC | 1 | 3 | 8 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 30 |
| 1052 | Andrew Ryan | HYC | 18 | 18 | 18 | 3 | 3 | 9 | 33 |
| 1115 | Suzanne Burke | HYC | 18 | 18 | 18 | 4 | 9 | 3 | 34 |
| 937 | Scott Flanigan | HYC/ MYC | 8 | 8 | 6 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 35 |
| 1113 | Alan Ruigrok | HYC/ RSC/ SSC | 18 | 18 | 18 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 37 |
| 962 | Ed Butler | RSGYC | 18 | 18 | 18 | 11 | 8 | 5 | 42 |
| 914 | Conor Murphy | MYC | 18 | 18 | 18 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 53 |
| 503 | Brendan Costello | MYC | 18 | 18 | 18 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 60 |
| 696 | Ali Dix | HYC | 18 | 18 | 18 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 65 |
| 888 | Meghan Darmody | HYC | 18 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 66 |
Polar Series - Overall Running Score
Tim O'Laoire (HYC) is the current leader of the Polar Series. He's on 5 points, with three firsts and a second (after two discards), Diana Kissane (HYC) is a significant challenger in second place on 9 points. Katie White (HYC/MYC) holds third just a point ahead of Ryan Scott (HYC) who in turn is a point ahead of Ross Darmody (HYC) in 5th.
The late-comers to the series proved formidable opponents, especially Matt O'Dowd (RStGYC) who won the first race in Malahide. With another discard available in Dun Laoghaire, it is still possible for a good series result for any sailor who misses one of the days.
The next and final Polar Series day is in NYC on Sunday 5 December. First gun is at noon.
Entry is open to all, so you don't have to have done the first two Sundays to enter - it just makes it impossible to win the East Coast Polar Optimist Trophy 2004.
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Reminder - Upcoming HYC Dinghy & Junior Sailing Events:
| Sun. | 21 Nov. | Premium Open Optimist Coaching with Prof O'Connell
MYC Broadmeadows at 09:00 (
25 pp - See Note 1) |
| Sun. | 28 Nov. | Club Optimist Coaching. Frostbite Laser Coaching (see note 2). |
| Sun. | 5 Dec. | Polar Series Day 3 - NYC Dun Laoghaire (12:00 first gun) |
| Thu. | 9 Dec. | HYC Achievers' Night - Junior achievers included (by HYC invitation) |
| Sun. | 12 Dec. | Frostbite Laser Coaching (see note 2). |
Note 1
Open Premium Optimist Coaching in Broadmeadows with Prof O'Connell
on Sun. 21 Nov
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Originally planned for HYC, the second Optimist Premium Coaching session with Prof O'Connell will be held in Broadmeadows, Malahide (with the kind support of MYC).
This Optimist Open coaching will be suitable for a range of levels from bronze to gold fleet standards. If your sailor has the fundamentals, then it's time to move on to learn from the Prof.
Broadmeadows offers a safe environment for coaching and provides lake-like sailing conditions that are not readily available at close proximity to coastal clubs.
There is an added incentive in that it will be the venue for the second leg of the 2005 IODAI Trials.
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Note 2
Premium Laser Frostbite Coaching in HYC with Gavan Jones
on Sun. 28 Nov. & Sun. 12 Dec.
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Laser Frostbites Racing continues every Sunday until 19 December. Additional Laser training (with Gavan Murphy) is being arranged for Sunday 28 Nov and Sunday 12 December. Places (are limited) but they can be booked in advance through Paul Harrison (Laser Captain) or Gillian Guinness (Club Dinghy Coach).
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