Former and current champions in various major regattas are battling for honours in IRC 1 in the 2023 Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta.
Mike & Richie Evans's well-starred J/99 Snapshot (Howth YC) got the best of it in today's first race ahead of John Maybury's frequently-winning J/109 Joker (RIYC), with northern star Final Call II, John Minnis's A35 helmed by Gareth Flannigan (RUYC & RNIYC) in third.
Mike & Richie Evans's J/99 Snapshot (Howth YC) lying second overall after three races sailed in IRC One at the 2023 Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta Photo: Bob Bateman
But Minnis, who told Afloat before the regatta that he wasn't coming down from Belfast to 'make up the numbers', made good on his intent by taking the overall lead after three windward-leeward races were sailed.
The 1,2 scored in the subsequent races gave the Royal Ulster crew the lead and an overnight cushion of four points over the Howth J99.
In third is Richard and Timothy Goodobdy's White Mischief from the Royal Irish Yacht Club, the first of a strong turnout of 17 J109s in the IRC One fleet.
Richard and Timothy Goodobdy's White Mischief lying third overall after three races sailed in IRC One at the 2023 Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta Photo: Bob Bateman
The defending champion Maybury dropped to fifth overall when he counted an untypical 13th place in the day's closing race in the 24-boat fleet.
The testing conditions saw many broaches downwind as winds gusted over 20 knots.
The strong southerly winds are expected to continue for Saturday's races before moderating for Sunday's conclusion of the biennial event.
The Dun Laoghaire Motor Yacht Club, National Yacht Club, Royal Irish Yacht Club, and Royal St. George Yacht Club are organising the ninth Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta.
