It's first blood to Kaya, Frank Whelan's J/122 from Greystones Sailing Club after a closely fought light air coastal race in the ICRA Championships that finished this afternoon under spinnaker on Dublin Bay.
Despite a limp forecast, a relatively solid light easterly breeze prevailed for the impressive 12-boat fleet that has gathered at the NYC for the first cruiser-racer National Championships in two years.
Much fancied in these conditions were both the debutante Kaya and Royal Cork Yacht Club's Jump Juice but as it turns out, the well-sailed County Down First 40, Forty Licks (Jay Colville) from Royal Ulster squeezed into second place between the pundit's two favourites.
Of course, Conor Phelan's Ker 37 Jump did well to start at all given the extent of the hull repair that was finished only hours before this morning's race start.
The impressive 12-boat ICRA Nationals Cruisers Zero fleet Photo: Afloat
Another Northern Ireland entry, the Beneteau 40.7 Game Changer from Cockle Island Boat Club took fourth with Sunfast 3600 Hot Cookie of the host club in fifth place.
Back in the Game - Jump Juice was back on the water just in time for this morning's first coastal race of the ICRA Championships Photo: Afloat
Results are here. Racing continues over the weekend.