Having lost two weeks racing in the Kinsale Yacht Club Frostbite Series to weather, PRO John Stallard was determined to get some racing in this week. With temperatures in the low single digits and considerable wind chill the fleets, 10 Squibs, 6 Toppers and 5 Mixed Dinghies, took to the water in Kinsale today. The wind was blowing from the South East at 17 knots, gusting 23 – 26 knots and the decision was made to move the racing area to the inner harbour.
FG at was at 10.55hrs and the Squibs got away on time. Fuggles, Jeff Condell & Jeff Cochrane, lead from the start with Badger, Rob Doyle & Rob Gill, Fifty Shades, Cliodhna & Finbarr O’Regan, and Allegro, Colm Dunne & Fiona Ward all close on his heels. Fuggles held off the competition with Badger 2nd and Allegro 3rd. Race 2 got underway immediately after the finish. This time it was Allegro who took the lead and rounded the windward mark first, however Fuggles over took him on the 2nd beat by going up the left side of the course and he secured another 1st, Allegro 2nd and Fifty Shades was 3rd. Race 3 saw the same finishing order for the top 3 and this was enough for Fuggles to take the lead overall with Fifty Shades lying 2nd and Allegro 3rd. With less than 2 minutes separating the top 6 Squibs this fleet has gotten very competitive and should make for a great season ahead.
The Mixed Dinghies were again dominated by Micheal O’Suilleabhain & Michael Carroll in the 420 – they were planing up wind today – and they secured two bullets. Sean Collins in the Laser Radial was 2nd in the first race today and was in a good position to take 2nd in the second race until he capsized, the gusty winds made for a difficult righting and this allowed Tom Good in the Laser 4.7 to overtake him and secure 2nd. Georgina Griffin in the 2.4m bravely stayed the course for both races.
The Topper fleet has several newcomers and today’s conditions were very challenging for them. For the first race we had several capsize. Dorothy Matthews got a great start and lead from the off. Rachel Akerlind was 2nd in Race 1 with Frances Corkery and Francesca Lewis 3rd and 4th and 2 DNF. Due to the cold and the strengthening wind 3 Toppers decided to retire before the start of the second race. John Stallard made the decision to give the Toppers just 1 round of the course and Dorothy Matthews again dominated with Francesca Lewis 2nd and Frances Corkery 3rd. As with the Mixed Dinghies the Toppers were sent home after the second race.
Many thanks to John Stallard and his race management team aboard Destiny – rumour has it people were multi tasking as they got 3 races completed in 1 hr 35 mins – and all the RIB drivers/crew for mark laying and safety boat duty, on what was probably the coldest Frostbite day ever.
10 Squibs, 6 Toppers and 5 Mixed Dinghies, took to the water in Kinsale today
Published in Kinsale
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