Peaky Blinders moves into the lead after seven races at the UK & Ireland National 18 Championships in Crosshaven.
Nick Walsh's Peaky Blinders moved into the overall lead of the UK & Ireland National 18 Championships after the only race completed on Sunday's weather-affected third day at Royal Cork Yacht Club in Crosshaven.
Strong west-northwesterly winds and an increasingly unstable forecast restricted the fleet to a single race on Course B on the Curlane Bank in Cork Harbour before racing was abandoned for the day.
The breeze built to 16-17 knots with stronger gusts, creating demanding conditions that caught out several crews. A number of capsizes punctuated the race as the fleet battled a fluky breeze and a testing sea state.
After racing, competitors were sent ashore and instructed to await further signals from the flagstaff. However, with forecasts indicating the wind would continue to increase, hopes of adding more races faded and the day ended with just one result.
The Isle of Man Yacht Club's Shotgunn, helmed by Michael Wilson, mastered the difficult conditions to take the race win and climb back into third overall, just two points off the championship lead.
The day's biggest beneficiary, however, was Peaky Blinders. Nick Walsh's second-place finish was enough to overhaul overnight leader Pink Panther, whose sixth place dropped David Kenefick's crew to second overall by a single point.
With only one point separating the top two boats and just four points covering the top four, the championship remains finely balanced heading into the closing stages.
Charles Dwyer's Nacho Nacho Man slipped to fourth after recording a DNF, while Aquadisiacs retained fifth overall after another solid top-four finish.
Top Five After Seven Races
- Peaky Blinders (Nick Walsh, RCYC) – 17 pts
- Pink Panther (David Kenefick, RCYC) – 18 pts
- Shotgunn (Michael Wilson, IOMYC) – 19 pts
- Nacho Nacho Man (Charles Dwyer, RCYC) – 21 pts
- Aquadisiacs (Colin Chapman, RCYC) – 22 pts
The title race is now exceptionally tight. Peaky Blinders has taken control, but Pink Panther is just one point adrift, while Shotgunn has moved back into contention following its race victory. With the discard now in play and only five points separating the leading five crews, the championship remains wide open going into Monday's final races.
