33-boats registered fleet of Flying Fifteens enjoyed balmy conditions for September on the opening day of their Deloitte sponsored Championship of Ireland writes Cormac Bradley.
Two windward-leeward courses were set by International Race Officer Jack Roy and the fleet enjoyed a clean start for the first race. A number of the fleet went right initially and that didn't seem to be a bad option until the leaders came from the left-hand side of the course led by Andy McCleery & Colin Dougan from Portaferry. They led the first lap and were chased by the host fleet's Dave Gorman & Chris Doorly and visitors Roger Chamberlain & Charlie Horder.
On the second beat, this latter combination took the lead and held it down the run and on to the finish. McCleery finished second and Gorman third.
After a short break to rejig the course due to a fickle and changing breeze, the second start was subject to a General Recall but got away at the second time of asking under a U flag.
At the first weather mark, the leaders were Lee Statham and Andrew Paul out of Waterford with Gorman/Doorly again in the chasing pack. The leaders enjoyed this status for the entire race with the second and third places going to Gorman and Chamberlain respectively.
Thus with two races down the pecking order is; Chamberlain/ Horder (1,3) Gorman/Doorly (3,2) McCleery/Dougan (2,5) Statham/Paul (7,1) and Apthorp/Green (4,10).
A number of fancied crews are carrying at least one big number from today, others who might fancy their chances are carrying two!
While it was a pleasant day on the water, the conditions were challenging which is code for saying that the author of this report didn't have a good day! Onward and upward.
The Class AGM was held this evening and the fleet is now gathered for dinner.
