McCormack's 'Innocence' Has Unassailable Lead at Mermaid Nationals in Tralee Bay

20th August 2021

Mermaid racing in Tralee Bay

Day 3 of the 2021 Mermaid National Championship got off to another lively start with a steady 12-14 knots gusting 18 filling in nicely as competitors made their way out for the 11 am first gun. Racing got underway bang on time with a slightly shifty breeze making for very tactical beats. A full Olympic course was sailed with close racing. 1st place went to 177 'This Is It' helmed by Mark Boylan with crew Aileen Boylan and Niall Collins. 2nd place went to 119 Three Chevrons helmed by Vincent McCormack and crewed by Roisin McCormack and Michael Lynch and 3rd place went to 188 Innocence helmed by Darragh McCormack with crew Mark and Noel McCormack.

A second race got underway with no delay. The wind had dropped off and continued to do so during the race but a full course sailed again. 1st place went to 188 Innocence, 2nd place to 177 This Is It and 3rd place to 119 Three Chevrons. By the end of race 2 of the day the wind had dropped considerably and a general recall start gave enough time for it to die off completely! The fleet had to kick back and take out the sandwiches again! Almost an hour waiting for the wind to come back thankfully paid off as basically the exact same breeze and direction magically reappeared meaning a 3rd and final race was on the table.

Championships conditions for the Dublin Bay Mermaid class on Tralee By in County Kerry

Similar conditions for the final race saw the fleet get an 8th Nationals race under their belts meaning 2 remaining races scheduled for Saturday to complete the full 10 race schedule. Winners of race 3 of Friday: 1st place to 119 Three Chevrons, 2nd to 188 Innocence and 3rd to 102 Endeavour. A note that this was a first Nationals bullet for Three Chevrons after 19 years!

Results from today mean that 188 Innocence has an unassailable lead. If the 2 races go ahead as scheduled tomorrow a 2nd discard will come into effect which should have an interesting impact on the leader board with 2nd and 3rd place overall still very much to play for!

Results following 8 races can be viewed here

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Mermaid

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