After three days of light offshore winds and one day of none (which BBC weather forecaster says is not unusual in Co Down), Friday brought a complete change to the ILCA 6 Youth European Championship at Ballyholme Yacht Club on Belfast Lough with a big increase in the breeze to an average of 15 – 17 knots with gusts of 25.
There was no trouble then, getting three races completed, though the Black Flag was much in evidence and several protests were lodged.
In the Boys Gold Fleet, the Australian Healy Ryan holds the lead with Alessandro Cirinei 22 points behind. Both are Under 17. Best places Irish competitor in the 62 strong fleet is Charlie Keating of Howth at 51. Heading the Irish in the Silver Fleet is the Royal Cork sailor, Andrew Kingston lying 37th. In the Bronze division the local BYC's Daniel Palmer is placed 10th with Conor Cronin ( Malahide YC), lies 23rd. at 21st in the Emerald fleet is Patrick Foley of with Cormac Byrne of Ballyholme at 31st.
Alina Shapovalova of Ukraine competing at the ILCA 6 Youth European Championship at Ballyholme Yacht Club on Belfast Lough Photo: Thom Touw
The Girls had only two divisions, Gold and Silver. Jumping to the top in the Gold Fleet is World Champion Maria Vittoria Arseni of Italy just one point ahead going into tomorrow's racing of Alina Shapovalova of Ukraine.
Ireland's Sienna Wright of Howth lies fourth Photo: Thom Touw
Ireland's Sienna Wright of Howth lies fourth with Lucy Ives of Carlingford SC placed 7th and the East Antrim Boat Club's Zoe Whitford at 12. Iva Rokvic of Croatia tops the Silver fleet with the Under 17 competitor Rebecca Mantel of Israel scoring thee first places to take runner up slot. Caoilinn McDonnell is the best placed Irish sailor at 13th.
The final races on Saturday may be for the light weather specialists with 10-knot south westerlies forecast. The Warning signal is at 11.00 am.
Provisional Results
