In the strong conditions on Loch Fyne from early morning, prudence prevailed in many classes where a large number of crews decided to forego racing today, while for others finishing in itself became a problem.

Among the damage the X332 Equinox lost its mast whilst on the way out to the start line, while owner-skipper Charles Frize was thrown into the water from his Class 1 Mills 36 Prime Suspect when it was knocked flat by a huge gust whilst under spinnaker. He was picked out of the water by another competing yacht unharmed but decidedly chilly.

"I don't really know what happened but the bow of the boat dug in all the way to the mast and we seemed to trip over. I went out one side of the boat and came up on the other so I think it more or less went over me," recalled Frize. Prime Suspect was one of three boats which did not finish in the 10 boat class.

As the regatta moved into its penultimate day of racing there is now no boat in any of the classes still bearing a full hand of aces. Having won their first two races in CYCA Class 6, going into yesterday's 16 miles windward-leeward round the buoys race in the north of Loch Fyne, Alan Dunnet and crew on their Gourock based Swan 36 Valhalla of Ashton had to settle for a second place. After just over two hours and 10 minutes of racing and winds between 25kt and 44 kts only nine seconds separated the top three boats with Cara of Kip, Graham Goudie's powerful Moody 336, triumphed with Valhalla of Ashton.

"I don't think we really did anything wrong so it is difficult to know where we lost out, but it was certainly an exciting day," commented Dunnet.

The IRC Handicap classes, which were limited to one short race, saw a wrong spinnaker selection and some ill-timed luck let the south coast of England based Mills' designed King 40 footer Tokoloshe get the better of double Scottish Series Trophy winner Anthony O'Leary and his crew on Antix.

"We got to the windward mark and set an asymmetric kite and the next five minutes were the lightest of the day and we were going nowhere fast," recalled O'Leary later. The win for Michael Bartholomew's King 40 today eases them one point clear of the Cork crew on Antix. Three times Scottish Series Trophy winner Jonathan Anderson on Playing FTSE is top Scots skipper but suffered today when a their headsail halyard failed and the sail came tumbling to the deck.

In IRC Class 3 Steve Goacher, another past Scottish Series winner, is closing on the current top trophy holding crew of Salamander XX. John Corson's crew on Salamander XX lost control a couple of times on the downwinds and finished seventh today, while Goacher, steering Keith Lord's A35 Acrewed Interest finished fifth and now lies only two points behind Salamander XX on the overall standings.

And in IRC Class 4 it was the Forth based crew on Hops, the evergreen Davidson 36 IOR design which won ahead of Jackaroo, Hamish MacKay and crew on the class leading J97.

But with a second place today, now counting two first places and two second places, Jackaroo already leads their 14 boat division by nine clear points.

In one of her last official functions as Minister for Sport, outgoing local TD Mary Hanafin attended the Irish Sailing Association's annual Ball last Saturday in the Royal Marine Hotel in Dun Laoghaire.

Attended by 315 people the black tie ball featured an awards ceremony that has been hailed  'a great success' by the association.

On Saturday afternoon the association elected a new President, Niamh McCutcheon, the first female ISA President since the organisation was founded in 1945.

A collection in aid of the RNLI raised over €2,250.

Award details below:

ISA Sailing Achievement of the Year
This award is presented by the ISA to recognise the outstanding achievement in a sailing craft by an Irish person or in Ireland during 2010.
Winner: Nicholas 'Nin' O'Leary, Royal Cork Yacht Club
Nicholas' achievements included narrowly beating his father Anthony at the ISA All Ireland Championships in 2010 by just a single point after a nail-biting finale in difficult conditions off Kinsale in November. The win made it three-in-a-row for this remarkable young 24 year old sailor - the only person to achieve this in the 64 years of the event's history.

ISA Volunteer of the Year
This award is given to a member of an ISA affiliated club or class who has made a significant voluntary contribution to their sport during 2010.
Winner: Brian Craig, Royal St. George Yacht Club.
Brian has been nominated by the Royal St. George Yacht Club for the vital role he has played in developing sailing in Ireland and specifically Dun Laoghaire over the past 40 years. His most recent success was winning the bid for Dun Laoghaire to host the 2012 ISAF Youth Worlds.

ISA Youth Sailor of the Year
This award is presented by the ISA to recognise the outstanding achievement by a sailor competing in ISA Performance Pathway boats during 2010.
Winner: Finn Lynch, Blessington Sailing Club
Placing 2nd overall at the Topper World Championships in 2010 left the Carlow sailor in good stead for a Youth Sailor nomination. A determined sailor and strong character, it's clear that with these strengths Finn has the potential to go far in our sport.

ISA Instructor of the Year
This award recognises the role instructors have in providing access to our sports. The final 5 have been nominated by their students with the ultimate winner selected by an ISA judging panel.
Winner: Aine Carroll, Rush Sailing Club
Aine has been an ISA instructor for the last 11 years, instructing both adult and junior sailors in Rush Sailing Club. A keen Mermaid sailor, her love of sailing, her enthusiasm for the sport and willingness to give her time to her sailors have been infectious and remarkable. Apparently the kids at the club think she is a 'legend' and 'cool'!

ISA Training Centre of the Year
The face of ISA water sports to thousands of participants. The best in 2010 as nominated by their students.
Winner: University of Limerick Activity Centre
Situated on the sheltered shores of Lough Derg, University of Limerick Activity Centre has been in operation for over a decade. ULAC provides a varied programme of adventure activities to the general public. The University of Limerick Activity Centre runs ISA courses in sailing dinghies, windsurfers, powerboat as well as emergency care training courses.

Ten 1720s will contest Sunday's first race of Royal Cork's October league in force. The 2010 league marks the return of these sports boat to Cork Harbour but it comes at the expense of the club's three Commodore's cup boats originally planning to take part.

At least two 1720s are entered by the O'Leary family which almost certainly means the Ker 39 Antix will stay on its berth. Peter O'Flynn from Baltimore is sailing and other  1720 entries have been received from Tom Durcan and Denis Murphy.

Following the successful Commodore's Cup campaign Marinerscove is now in the UK and Andrew Creighton has indicated the small boat Roxy will not be sailing.

There have been a few tweaks to the format of the league and this year there will be two courses both starting with committee boats.

Competitors from other south coast ports such as Waterford Harbour SC arrived in Crosshaven this week.

Course Zero, One and Two and 1720 designated as Red Fleet while classes three, four, Whitesail One and White sail Two will be designated Green Fleet and the classes will alternate between the courses each weekend.

Prizes will be awarded for first, second and third place in each class and a daily prize giving will take place no later then 17.30 hrs in the RCYC Club House. The final prize giving will take place at the prize giving gala dinner on Saturday, October 30th.

The 1720 National Championships are to be held once again in Baltimore, West Cork next weekend from 9th to 12th September. Last year's event attracted 15 boats including three boats from the O'Leary Family and were held in great sailing conditions, as the video below shows.

This year's event is set to attract in excess of 20 boats say Baltimore Sailing Club and the competition is getting tighter than ever with a good fleet racing through the Winter and Spring out of Crosshaven in Cork.