RS Elite class in Frostie Week at Strangford Lough Yacht Club - Day 1
by Ed Cody 22 Sep 2020 17:36 BST
19 September 2020
Royal Ulster and Royal North of Ireland Elites getting ready for their first outing of the year - Strangford Lough's Frostie Week day 1 © Ed Cody
This was the first day of racing for most of the Elites this year as a result of a Covid-hit 2020 season. Five boats made it onto the water with the hope of another couple joining for next week.
Sailors were treated with a lively 20 knot Easterly with sun. The first race started from the SLYC battery saw four boats in close contention upwind, there was a small misunderstanding about which was the correct windward mark which left a few boats reaching down to the lay lines - Storm from RUYC led from Usain boat helmed by Richard Moore from RNIYC.
Usain Boat had technical issues at the bear away stage and was overtaken by Illegal (SLYC)and Speedwell (RNIYC).
Speedwell overtook Illegal on the second beat whilst Storm maintained their lead.
The second race was run in a calmer 10-15 knot shifty Easterly. Again, Storm pushed out in front, leading from Speedwell, and Merlin (SLYC). A 45 degree left-hand wind shift lead to this being more of a drag-race with few overtaking opportunities. All crew enjoyed the sunshine and being out on the water again.
SLYC has done a great job running the series with appropriate precautions and we are glad to get out in our Elites again.
Day 1 Results:
| Pos | Sail No | Boat name | Owner | R1 | R2 | Pts |
|---|
| 1 | 37 | Storm | Messrs Gunning
Polly & Kelso | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| 2 | 58 | Speedwell | Ed Cody | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| 3 | 93 | Merlin | Angus McRoberts | 4 | 3 | 7 |
| 4 | 36 | Illegal | Phil Anderson & Clive Corry | 3 | 4 | 7 |
| 5 | 82 | Usain Bolt | Ricahrd Moore | DNF | 5 | 16 |