Olympic silver medallist Annalise Murphy (National Yacht Club) strengthened her grip on the Grant Thornton ILCA Irish National Championships at the Royal St. George Yacht Club on Saturday after another demanding day on Dublin Bay left the regatta's three fleets facing an uncertain finale.
A postponement ashore greeted the 91-boat fleet after westerly winds reached the mid-20-knot range, with gusts above 35 knots. Racing eventually got under way almost two hours behind schedule once the breeze eased to 15–25 knots, allowing all three fleets to complete another three races.
Wind Watch – Westerly winds averaging 26.8 knots and gusting to 35.7 knots delayed the start of racing on day two of the Grant Thornton ILCA Irish National Championships. Source: Dún Laoghaire Harbour weather station.
The championship's GipsyBuoy GPS-controlled robotic marks again proved their worth in the testing conditions. Operated from the committee boat by Ciarán Campbell of MarineServices.ie, the inflatable marks held station throughout the strong winds and steep chop, allowing race officials to keep racing on schedule once the AP was lowered.
Race Officer Con Murphy said:
"The day started with an AP displayed ashore due to the westerly wind in the mid-20s, gusting into the 30s. The westerly abated somewhat and racing eventually got going in 15–25 knots, classic sailing conditions for the ILCAs. All three fleets completed three races and no doubt sailors will be tired and sore after it."
Saturday's racing also unfolded against the backdrop of Irish success on the international stage, as news filtered through the dinghy park that Eve McMahon had won bronze in the ILCA 6 at the Los Angeles Olympic Classes Regatta. The result provided an added lift to the championship fleet as Murphy continued her own return to top-level competition ahead of September's ILCA 6 World Championship on Dublin Bay.
ILCA 7: McDonnell Takes Firm Control
Heavy Going – Conrad Simpson of Ballyholme Yacht Club (foreground) leads a pack of ILCA 7s through fresh westerly conditions on Dublin Bay during day two of the Grant Thornton ILCA Irish National Championships. Photo: Con Murphy
Royal Irish Yacht Club's Fiachra McDonnell tightened his grip on the ILCA 7 championship with another composed day's work.
After opening the regatta with four straight race wins, McDonnell discarded a third place to finish Saturday on six net points, two clear of James Juhasz of the Canadian Sailing Team.
Tom Coulter (East Antrim Boat Club) remains third on 13 points, while Bobby Driscoll (BYC) is fourth on 23. Andrew Kingston (Royal Cork Yacht Club) takes fifth on countback from Roger Craig (Kircubbin Yacht Club), both on 28 points.
McDonnell now controls the championship. If Sunday's forecast prevents further racing, the Royal Irish helm will lift the national title. Even if racing resumes, only Juhasz remains within realistic striking distance overall.
ILCA 6: Murphy Extends Her Lead
Fleet Pressure – Sienna Wright of Howth Yacht Club (foreground) races in the 44-boat ILCA 6 fleet during fresh westerly conditions on day two of the Grant Thornton ILCA Irish National Championships on Dublin Bay. Photo: Con Murphy
Murphy continued her impressive return to ILCA racing by extending her overnight lead to seven net points after six races.
Murphy said Saturday's racing demanded constant tactical decisions as the breeze remained strong despite easing during the afternoon.
"Day two brought a lot of breeze. It moderated slightly as the day went on, but it was still quite windy," she said. "There were still oscillating shifts, probably three big shifts on each beat, and pressure bands coming down the course. Sometimes that was the difference between planing and not planing on the downwinds, which made a big difference to boat speed.
"Conor and Marcus won the first and second races. Sometimes I felt I could catch them on the final downwind but then I'd go back into displacement mode! I won the final race after getting ahead at the top of the second beat. Overall, I think it was a tough day for everyone."
The National Yacht Club sailor now leads Sienna Wright (Howth Yacht Club) by nine points after the teenager climbed into second overall on 16 points.
Royal St. George Yacht Club's Marcus Shelley moved into third on 24 points, with Conor Cronin (Malahide Yacht Club) fourth on 29 despite carrying an earlier black-flag disqualification. Spain's Liam Woods (CN Jávea) completes the top five on 32 points.
Murphy has opened a commanding nine-point advantage. With one discard already in play and only one day remaining, she is well placed to complete a successful return to championship ILCA racing should Sunday's forecast curtail the regatta.
ILCA 4: Closest Contest Heads for Finale
Youth Test – Eve Hodgins of LDYC (foreground) races in the ILCA 4 fleet during fresh westerly conditions after a two-hour postponement ashore on day two of the Grant Thornton ILCA Irish National Championships. Photo: Con Murphy
The ILCA 4 championship remains the closest battle of the regatta.
Royal St. George Yacht Club's Kate Spain leads on 12 net points, just two ahead of clubmate Amy Kieran on 14.
Jackson Clark (Royal St. George Yacht Club) and Amy Shelley (Royal St. George Yacht Club) share third on 15 points, while Alex Butcher (SSBC/MYC) remains firmly in contention on 19.
Kieran said the conditions had produced some exhilarating racing.
"Today was a windy one, with big shifts. The downwinds were fast with a lot of nosediving. Overall I enjoyed the great day and I'm hoping for some windy weather again tomorrow."
Unlike the senior fleets, the ILCA 4 title remains finely balanced. Just three points separate the top four sailors, leaving the championship wide open should Sunday's forecast allow further racing.
Sunday's forecast
Sunday's forecast remains uncertain after strong westerly winds delayed Saturday's start by almost two hours. If conditions prevent further racing, Saturday's standings will become the final championship results. Should racing resume, McDonnell and Murphy appear firmly in control of their respective championships, while the ILCA 4 title remains too close to call.
