Following the previous two weeks of adverse weather which interrupted the league programme, the ASM Frostbite series continued at Kinsale Yacht Club on Sunday in lively sailing conditions.

With the predicted South-South Westerly winds arriving on schedule for the 11.55 First Gun, PRO Bruce Mathews and team laid a windward- leeward course across the harbour from Money Point to Charles Fort. The moderately difficult conditions, which were dominated by a variable force three to four, were at times exacerbated by persistent gusts sweeping the length of the course. By the end of the first race an unexpected squall left several capsized boats in its wake. With an ebb tide affecting the left side of the course in particular and strengthening as the racing progressed, the competing fleets were challenged with typical Kinsale Frostbite conditions. As five races have now been successfully completed, the first discard in the league series came into play.

First fleet off was the 4.7 Lasers, immediately followed by the combined Laser Radial and Standard rigs, and finally by the combined Squib and Mixed Dinghy classes. The slightly amended running order resulted in a quick and efficient programme which allowed for three races on the day and all crews safely ashore within three hours.

Cian Byrne (KYC/RCYC) although scoring a fourth, a third and a second in the Laser 4.7 races just managed to retain his leading position by a single point. He is closely followed by Darragh O'Sullivan (KYC) a current member of the ISA Laser 4.7 Squad, who scored a first and a fourth, while discarding an unfortunate protest-related penalty from the first week. Dara O'Shea's (KYC) overall third remains secure after scoring a fine first in the first race followed by two fourths. Séafra Guilfoyle (RCYC), another ISA Squad member, turned in the best results of the day as he scored his first points in the series with two seconds and a first in the last race.
Eoin Keller (LDYC) continued his unbeatable form in the Laser Radials, as he completed a clean sweep of all races. His unblemished record of five straight bullets puts him in a commanding position at the head of the fleet. Colm Regan, with two fourths and a second retains second place overall, as Eoghan Cudmore (RCYC/KYC) showing consistent form with two thirds and a second moves up one place to third overall.
In a much depleted Laser Standard fleet this week, Rob Howe (RCYC) took full advantage of the opportunity as he coasted home with three straight wins. His excellent performance moved him up two places to lead the field overall displacing Dave Kenefick (RCYC) who had two seconds on the day.

Marcus and Meagan Hutchinson in 'Sensation' (KYC) convincingly shot to the top of the Squib fleet, from their previous third place with three straight wins as they dominated the day's racing and went on to shake up the leader-board. Previous pace-setter Paul McCarthy in 'Mack' (KYC) having an inconsistent day, slipped down into second overall three points behind as he scored a third, a fourth, and a second in the final race. Also down one place, Victor and Ruth Fusco in 'Gemini' (KYC) scored two fourths and a seventh leaving them four points behind McCarthy. Showing much improved form, Colm Dunne and Mark Buckley (KYC) had a very successful day with a second and two thirds and moved up several places to take fourth overall.
In the Mixed Dinghy Fleet, the 505 of Brian Jones and Gary Frost (MBSC) lead the David Marshall and Rob Scandrett owned Feva (RCYC), followed by Fiona Lynch's Feva and Shane Dwyer's Topaz Uno Plus. Individual results were not available at the time of writing.
The ASM Frostbite League at KYC continues over the next two Sundays, finishing on 27th February 2011. The Sailing Instructions allow for twelve races to complete the series, with a possible three discards to apply. First Gun is at 11.55 a.m.

HOWTH YACHT CLUB. LASER FROSTBITE WINTER (O'ALL) 12/12/2010 LASER STANDARD: 1, Conor Greagsbey NYC (31.00); 2, Evan Dolan NYC (33.00); 3, Michael Evans HYC (45.00); LASER STANDARD APPRENTICE: 1, Conor Murphy HYC (12.00); 2, Brendan Costello MYC (16.00); 3, Conor Hopkins HYC (24.00); LASER STANDARD MASTER: 1, Evan Dolan NYC (24.00); 2, Conor Greagsbey NYC (25.00); 3, Daragh Kelleher SSC (33.00); LASER STANDARD GRAND MASTER: 1, Michael Evans HYC (16.00); 2, Robin Hegarty HYC (20.00); 3, Stephen Quinn HYC (25.00); LASER RADIAL: 1, Simon Revill HYC (18.00); 2, Ciaran Costello MYC (25.00); 3, Robert Ferris HYC (29.00)

HOWTH YACHT CLUB. LASER FROSTBITE WINTER 07/11/2010 RACE 1 LASER STANDARD: 1, Paul McMahon HYC; 2, Conor Greagsbey NYC; 3, Darrell Reamsbottom HYC; 4, Conor Murphy HYC; 5, Daragh Kelleher SSC; 6, Stephen Quinn HYC; LASER STANDARD APPRENTICE: 1, Conor Murphy HYC; 2, Brendan Costello MYC; 3, Brian Tyrrell HYC; 4, Conor Hopkins HYC; LASER STANDARD MASTER: 1, Paul McMahon HYC; 2, Conor Greagsbey NYC; 3, Darrell Reamsbottom HYC; 4, Daragh Kelleher SSC; 5, David Quinn HYC; 6, Evan Dolan NYC; LASER STANDARD GRAND MASTER: 1, Stephen Quinn HYC; 2, Robin Hegarty HYC; 3, Daragh Sheridan HYC; 4, Cathal Sheridan MYC; 5, Dermot Mowatt HYC; 6, Alan Carr SDC; LASER RADIAL: 1, Darragh Peelo MYC; 2, Vincent Varley MYC; 3, Robert Ferris HYC; 4, Simon Revill HYC; 5, Ciaran Costello MYC; 6, Carla Fagan 

HYC LASER FROSTBITE WINTER 07/11/2010 RACE 2 LASER STANDARD: 1, Robin Hegarty HYC; 2, Colm Cunningham HYC; 3, Conor Greagsbey NYC; 4, Paul McMahon HYC; 5, Conor Murphy HYC; 6, Stephen Quinn HYC; LASER STANDARD APPRENTICE: 1, Conor Murphy HYC; 2, Conor Hopkins HYC; 3, Brendan Costello MYC; 4, Brian Tyrrell HYC; LASER STANDARD MASTER: 1, Colm Cunningham HYC; 2, Conor Greagsbey NYC; 3, Paul McMahon HYC; 4, Darrell Reamsbottom HYC; 5, Richard Deane HYC; 6, Evan Dolan NYC; LASER STANDARD GRAND MASTER: 1, Robin Hegarty HYC; 2, Stephen Quinn HYC; 3, Dermot Mowatt HYC; 4, Conor Costello MYC; 5, Daragh Sheridan HYC; 6, Edward Ferris HYC

Ireland's biggest Laser sailing dinghy series starts in over a week and organiser Dave Quinn has been in touch with ten good reasons to race in the 2010 Howth Laser Frostbite series on Sunday 31st October. We're sure there's many more but here's Dave's top ten:

1) This is the biggest series in Ireland, typically with over 50 entries

2) Howth welcome - great pre and post race social atmosphere in club.
3) Great Racing - Two short races per day, in open water just outside the harbour with committee boat starts. Great way to work on your helming and tactics over the winter.
4) Mix of competition - Sailors range from top 5 ranked sailors all the way through to beginners and casual racers. Ages range from 15-65.
5) Laser Round the Island and Lunch - A legendary, not to be missed end of season race, and party in March.
6) Great value - €4 per race, which covers the lunch in March also!
7) Free boat parking - entry fee also covers parking your boat in Howth the the full winter.
8) Dedicated race course - No other classes racing. Mix of windward leeward and triangle courses.
9) Full Rig, Radial and 4.7 fleets all supported
10) Friendly advice, guidance and help make it a great introduction to dinghy racing

Enter online at www.hyc.ie. For enquiries contact David Quinn 086 2835671