Root 1 leads the 1720 Eastern Championship after the opening three races at Royal Ulster Yacht Club on Belfast Lough.
Julian Hughes’ Waterford Harbour boat sits top with six points after consistent scores of 3, 2 and 1.
El Diablo, helmed by Ben Scallan of Wicklow Harbour, is second on eight points. Rope Dock Atara, skippered by Ross McDonald from Howth, holds third on nine.
Robert Dix’s LemonCello is fourth on 13 points, while Mark O’Reilly’s Full Bernard from Britain completes the top five on 16.
Race Officer Sheela Lewis managed to complete three races in squalls reaching nearly 30 knots and driving rain.
The best Irish performer is Hughes on Root 1, followed closely by Scallan and McDonald, showing strong home club representation at the top of the leaderboard.
Three further races are scheduled for Sunday, with a very different forecast expected. The overall result will decide the championship and the winner of the Joe English Trophy.
The 1720 class is making a welcome return to Royal Ulster. “So far they are delighted with the championships and hopefully we will see them back before too long,” said Fiona Hicks, Hon Sailing Secretary, RUYC.
