After last week's last-minute cancellation of Royal North's RS400 Winter Series due to the fierce chop caused by a low tide and a strong easterly on Belfast Lough, the forecast for this week looked much more appetising, with most models showing 6-10 knots from the east - although with a bitter high of 3 degrees.
Race 1 saw a General Recall, with a few regular culprits pushing the line a little too hard. Not wanting to waste any time in the bitter cold, Gerry hoisted the Black Flag for the first time this series, which allowed an almost clean start for the second attempt at the first race. The fleet split on the first beat - with Andrew Vaughan coming out on top. At the end of the first lap Ryan Wilson and Simon Martin had taken the lead after splitting to the right gate, closely followed by Peter Kennedy and Stephen Kane. The second leg downwind saw a change at the top with the boats that gybed off early onto port coming out on top - with Ben Martin and Alex Smallwood taking their first win of the series, Kennedy / Kane in Second with Ross Kearney and Martin Weatherstone in 3rd.
Race 2 saw Woo Kearney Leading to the windward, closely followed by the Purdons in 2nd and Kane and Kennedy in 3rd. An interesting raft up on the approach to the final gate between 4/5 of the front runners allowed Kane / Kennedy - Wilson / Martin - Hastings / Porter to slip through and take the top 3 spots, respectively.
The final race of the day was dominated by Ross Kearney, with a closely fought battle between Donnelly / McCaig and Kennedy/ Kane for second place won by Liam. Another great day of tight racing on the water - with a different winner in every race and only 4 points separating 3rd-8th! Thanks again to Gerry and his team for braving the cold and running another fantastic day of racing. Congratulations to Kennedy / Kane for winning the day - closely followed by Kearney/Weatherstone.
The forecast is looking spicy (potentially too spicy) for the final three races next Sunday, followed by the annual prize-giving dinner. Kennedy and Kane have almost certainly claimed the top spot, but there are many exciting battles to be won throughout the rest of the fleet.
Download results below
