Autumn's buzzing

The last weeks of the main sailing season are once again focusing the combined attention of crews at the principal venues around Ireland.

The biggest single fleet gets underway this weekend at Howth when more than 200 boats will start the six-race Heineken Autumn League. Before yesterday's post had been opened, the total entrants stood at just under 180, leaving organisers confident of easily exceeding last year's record of 211 boats.

Donal Morrissey's Joggernaut from Galway is one of several west coast boats to have been delivered specially for the series. Also competing will be crews from Carlingford and Strangford Loughs.

With the exception of Colm Barrington's all-defeating Gloves Off in Class Zero, few of the other classes can be as predictable. Adding to the competition mix is the decision by the Howth YC organisers to adjust the IRC handicapping break-points that split boats of different sizes into the different classes.

The most significant of these changes will centre around Class Two boats where the lower rated Class One yachts will now be joining this single largest fleet. Class Two will now cater for boats in the handicap range 0.941 to 0.975.

The HYC organisers have also stated that the second handicap system, the Irish domestic ECHO method that is based on performance by individual boats, will be utilising a modified system.

Meanwhile, across the bay, the newer September series sponsored by A & L Castors at the Dun Laoghaire Motor YC is proving that a substantial demand for extra racing at this time of year does exist.

More than 60 boats in one-design and handicap keelboats are competing in this five-race series. Of particular note is the Sigma 33 fleet, numbers in which have swelled to 20 boats and can now command their own start at major events.

Although these boats might normally have been expected to attend the higher profile event at Howth, the numbers attending both events suggest that they are catering equally for two distinct markets.

Needless to state, south-coast boats will not be making the journey northwards for either series in Dublin as the October League on Cork Harbour prepares to get underway in less than two weeks' time. Somewhere between 80 and 100 boats are expected for classes one to four plus 1720 and Impala one-designs.

Last week's Class One South Coast champion Mammy, a Mumm 30-footer from Crosshaven, is a certain contender along with Ted Crosbie's Excuse Me. Class Two should see close competition, especially between Barry Rose's Obsession, a perennial champion team, and Dave Hennessey's Luas.

The 1720 class is wide open as always, although Royal Cork YC admiral Anthony O'Leary is probably the strongest contender even if David Rose is having a strong season with a good showing at Ford Cork Week. Possibly the best indicator for this class will come from the four-day 1720 Irish Championship this weekend at the National YC.