Quarter Tonning is up in lights these days, and Dublin Bay had an illuminating intro to it in its hottest form with the Hamble River’s Ian Southworth in Protis happily discarding a 9th from the harsh first race of Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta, as thereafter he had won all the way, to leave him on 5 points, as IRC 3 class sailed six races in all.

Courtown SC’s Martin Mahon with the Joubert-Nivelt Quarter Tonner Snoopy was likewise consistent, albeit with a string of seconds, to finish on 11 points, while Kieran Dorgan of Cove SC with the Ceccarelli Quarter Tonner Illegal was imprinted with thirds to take that overall on 15.

Courtown SC’s Joubert-Nivelt Quarter Tonner Snoopy skippered by Martin Mahon

The top overall prize in IRC for the regatta's Volvo Trophy went to Southworth for his IRC 3 performance, but the weekend has been an important warm-up for all three, no doubt, for next week's Quarter Ton World Championships being staged in Ireland by Royal Cork Yacht Club.

Kieran Dorgan's Ceccarelli Quarter Tonner Illegal Photo: Afloat