ICRA Nationals and Sovereigns Cup - Day 1
by Jackie Dawson 25 Jun 2015 07:48 BST
24-27 June 2015
In a busy opening day at the ICRA Nationals Sovereigns Cup, the large contingent from Howth Yacht Club have set a strong early pace in the four-day series off the Old Head of Kinsale. The Dublin club holds leading places in four of the eight racing divisions including the top four boats in Division 2.
Racing got underway on time at mid-day despite the light southerly breeze while an ebb tide crossing the course areas added to race one nerves.
Irish Cruiser Racing Association Commodore Norbert Reilly opened the Howth account with a win in the 98-minute first race on Division Zero entry Crazy Horse. That was followed by a second place in the afternoon as Andy Williams' visiting from Plymouth on Keronimo took the bullet and the class lead on countback as both boats are tied on level points.
Clubmate David Cullen on Checkmate V leads Division 2 with two wins from the day though Harmony, Equinox and The Big Picture - all from Howth - are lining-up as principal challengers in this 17-strong class. And in Division 3, Richard Colwell's Fusion leads after second and first places.
In Division 4 IRC, Quarter Tonner Blackfun from Cowes leads with Cartoon (RIYC) and Anchor Challenge (RCYC) also Quarter Tonners, keen to put on the pressure on day two.
Meanwhile in the White Sails event, Howth's Windsor Laudan on the Club Shamrock Demelza won Division 2 in a two-hour scenic tour of Kinsale Harbour and out past the Bulman Rock.
With all coasts of Ireland represented as well as visitors from the UK in the 109-boat combined fleet, local entries are also to the fore in most divisions, notably in Division 1 where Ian Nagle's Jelly Baby from the Royal Cork YC leads this 23-strong fleet as well as the J109 class championship. John Maybury's Joker 2 from the Royal Irish YC has Irish Olympic veteran Mark Mansfield on board as tactician and trails the leader by a single point in the main series but the pair are tied overall for the class title.
Best of the two dozen host club boats yesterday was Patrick Beckett's J92 Jostler after a consistent day in Division 2 where he placed sixth and fifth placing him fifth overall and the main challenger to the Howth domination of the class.
After a light airs start to the series, forecasts for tomorrow suggest a medium breeze that is expected to freshen further towards the weekend so the series is likely to have a full test of conditions.
Racing continues on Thursday and Friday, building towards the finale on Saturday afternoon.
Results posted at www.sovereignscup.com