Bright Motor Group Brass Monkeys wraps on winter, looks ahead to the New Year
Don't forget to enter the Brass Monkeys New Year's Day Race!
So we came to the end of another Brass Monkeys Winter Series, played out in very mixed conditions. The first race was in beautiful weather, win 10-12 knots with beautiful sunshine. Race two: what a day. The morning started with 23 knots gusting so it was decided to cancel. Imagine my surprise when I saw the Lasers going out sailing, after I had put in a postponement! I seriously thought a ribbing from the sailors was in order. However, I was very pleased to see that due to lack of wind, they had to be towed in. Race day three was another pet day and we managed to get in two races so our race numbers were back on track. Race day four was a good testing day, with a stiff breeze, which made for good sport. Our last day was unfortunately a non-event, with agreement by all to cancel on the Friday night.
Many thanks must go to our sponsors: Matt Smith from Bright Ford Airside, and John Aungier from the Brass Monkey restaurant. Without their help, the cost of the event could prove prohibitive.
A great attendance on Saturday for our Brass Monkey prizegiving lunch -- attended by our Commodore Neil Murphy who presented the series prizes. Our results showed the usual expected winners with Tiger and Demelza getting the gun on all starts. Indian in Class 2 doing the same in three out the five races. Prizes as usual were given in each class. The Lorna Townsend Trophy going to Stephen Harris Tiger for winning their class by the most points between first and second place. Peter and Declan McCabe were awarded the Liam McGonagle Trophy for exhibiting the spirit and the ethos of the Brass Monkeys racing.
Next year we will be celebrating 40 years of Winter Cruiser Racing in Howth, which originally began with four to five participating boats, having only recently opened the Marina with the Clubhouse still a project at that point. More on this will be announced into the New Year. We would like to thank all the sailors, the Yacht Club staff, and the volunteers who contribute to allow this series to run successfully twice a year since 1984.
Lastly, a brief reminder for New Year's Day race; the entry fee is only €20, and all proceeds go to the RNLI. Start time is 11:30 a.m.
Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and goodwill in 2024.
--- Report by Pat Connolly