Never mind what's going on elsewhere In Ireland this weekend; with Shania Twain in Belfast's Ormeau Park, Taylor Swift at the Aviva, the All-Ireland Quarter GAA Finals in Croke Park and the Foyle Maritime Festival in Derry, there was plenty of action in Belfast Lough with the second day of Bangor Regatta drawing the full 40 strong fleet racing in rather more encouraging conditions than yesterday.

Still leading the IRC 2 class is the Kelly family's J109 Storm from Howth and Rush with the local Archambault A35 Final Call II, John Minnis making up for yesterday's retirement due to a ripped main, with a second place. Ben and Jono's J109 Mocking J from Fairlie YC scored well, with a second and two thirds to lie in third overall. Another of the newcomers to the podium was Kevin Byers' Sigma 33, Signet taking first in Class 6 YTC and Stevie Andrews from Strangford Lough YC, racing the Hanse 371 Dark and Scary to third in the same class.

Mayor Alistair Cathcart with Michael Meharg (of the charity Safer Waters (left) and Greg Yarnall CEO RYANI at Bangor Regatta 2024

The Mayor of Ards and North Down Council Alistair Cathcart probably would have been happier with today's weather, rather than yesterday when he opened the regatta and was taken afloat by Safer Waters' Mike Meharg to sample the action.

Ryan Wilson and the Mat1010 Elixir from Carrickfergus and Quoile, the only northern yacht to complete the Round Ireland Race, had planned to do three days of Bangor Regatta afterwards.

But having finished at Wicklow this morning (Friday), he was debating whether tomorrow (Saturday) would be possible, but he doubts it.

Ryan Wilson and the Mat1010 Elixir from Carrickfergus and Quoile, the only northern yacht to complete the Round Ireland Race Photo: Afloat

The first race tomorrow (Sat 29th) is at 10 25 hrs