Local boat 46 Argo sailed by Darragh McCormack, Donal Moroney and Luke Murray were a convincing fourth and are showing a turn of speed, rewarding their practice in the past few months and work on the boat last winter. The 2009 champion 131 Wild Wind sailed by Paddy Dillon of Rush, retired early in the race.
There were three capsizes and some minor gear damage as the squalls came through past Foynes Island. Principal Race Officer Liam Dineen of Skerries set up a balanced course, with boats going up both sides of the beat, a slightly tight first reach and a square run.
The real racing starts tomorrow with Race 1 at 14:00.
Catch up with the latest Mermaid Week news and live updates during racing at www.dublinbaymermaid.org/foynes2010