Factor 50 was still needed on Wednesday, but the northeasterly breeze played ball and held, allowing the ILCA 6 European Youth Championships at Ballyholme on Belfast Lough to launch 366 boats in 36 minutes. The Beach Team is reported to be going for the Guinness Record. Only Race five was run.
In the hotly contested Girls' fleet, France's Gilda Dondona has taken the overall lead on 7 points, a comfortable 10.5 ahead of Hieke Schraffordt of the Netherlands. Lucy Ives from Carlingford SC in the Irish team has stepped up into fourth overall with Zoe Whitford of East Antrim BC on Larne Lough slipping to 10th and Sienna Wright (Howth) to 22nd. The Howth sailor had DNC for the last race. The next best placed of the Northern Ireland competitors is Autumn Halliday from Strangford Lough YC at 95th.
Launching from the Ballyholme Yacht Club slipway at the ILCA 6 European Youth Championships on Belfast Lough. 366 boats were launched in the water in 36 minutes
In the Boys' fleet and scoring another first place today, the Australian Healy Ryan holds his first overall place, with the Irish Charlie Keating lying a respectable 31st and Seth Walker (Royal St George) at 106th. In the overeager 223-strong fleet, five were Black Flagged.
In line with the Ballyholme Yacht Club's sustainability efforts, Ulster Wildlife held an action-packed programme while the fleets were afloat for all ages, including talks, rock pool rambles and litter picking. The club has gone to immense lengths to ensure the event's sustainability, with initiatives such as eliminating the use of single-use plastics and encouraging Championship sailors and members to bring their own bottles and cups.
More light winds are forecast for tomorrow (Thursday) with the ensuing tricky shifty conditions. Starting tomorrow, the Boys' championships will be divided into Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Emerald fleets, while the Girls' championships will compete in Gold and Silver fleets.
Results
