The Mermaid National Championships have completed day 1 (July 30th) at Wexford Harbour Boat and Tennis Club with 17 boats competing from a variety of clubs, including Wexford, Skerries, Rush, Dun Laoghaire and Foynes.
Briefing took place at 10am Wednesday the 30th with boats launching straight after for an 11.55 am start. Very light winds saw a short AP giving everyone a chance to get settled before the first race of the Championship got underway. Overall, it was a light, shifty race that saw Light airs ace Jonathan O’Rourke on 77 Tiller Girl from the National Yacht Club take an early lead and defend it extremely well for the entire race, earning him a 1st place. Hot on his heels was local Wexford boat and current reigning Champion Brian Fenlon on 131 Wild Wind, who placed 2nd, and Darach Dineen on 102 Endeavour from Rush Sailing took 3rd.
Having completed the first race, unfortunately, the winds died way down, and a long postponement ensued. Mermaiders used the opportunity to catch up, sailing about and having chats in sunny, warm weather.
It was getting close to time to call it a day when suddenly a steady 10-12 knots filled in and the race committee wasted no time getting a 2nd race underway. After a couple of false starts, a fleet of very well-behaved Mermaids (under a U flag) got away on a clean start, and there was very tight racing the whole way between the top 3.
Final results were Darach Dineen on 102 Endeavour 1st, 2nd place Brian Fenlon on 131 Wild Wind and 3rd place Darragh McCormack on 188 Innocence.
Overall, it was a fantastic first day, and it was great to complete the scheduled two races. Two more races are scheduled for tomorrow, Thursday, the 31st of July, with the first gun at 10:55 am.
