The GP14 UK Nationals kicked off yesterday with a practice race and the first of 9 races at South Caernarvonshire Yacht Club in Abersoch, North Wales writes Andrew Johnston.
With 10 Irish crews in the 56-boat fleet, hopes are high for some good finishes.
Light to medium winds made for a challenging day for everybody. With tide a factor, it was also not clear which side was going to be favoured. Best of the Irish was Newtownards Josh Porter and Sara Goudy with 13th having been in top 5 for much of the race. Colman Grimes/Tom Fox were 18th with Keith Louden & Alan Thompson in 21st.
World Champion and favourite Mike Senior also found it difficult finishing in 26th. Budworth's Russ Cormack leads into day two with 2018 Championship of Ireland winner Ross Kearney in 3rd.
With 8 more races to go, the Irish contingent is only warming up.
Other Irish places are 24th Bill Johnson (Lough Foyle YC), 31st Hugh Gill/Joe Doherty (Sutton Dinghy Club), 33rd John, /Donal McGuinness (Moville Boat Club), 34th James Peter Hockley / Owen Mc Cauley (Lough Foyle), 36th Peter Boyle & Stephen Boyle (Sutton Dinghy Club), 37th David Johnston D/Collie Delaney (Sutton Dinghy Club) and 47th Jack Buttimer /Matthew Street (Youghal Sailing Club)