The conditions didn't seem to bother the 30-strong fleet in Race 1 with all bar one boat crossing the finishing line, the honours going to Andrew Algeo's 'Flutter' from the Royal St.George YC. Another visitor, 'Sibelius' (K.Dorgan) from Carrickfergus took second ahead of another northerner, former Olympian Peter Kennedy of RNIYC in 'Ridgefence.com'. Local interest was maintained by 'Sharkbait' (Duncan/Moran/Morris) by finishing 4th, a promising start for what would become an even better day.
Heavy going at the SB3 Easterns. More photos on the gallery here. Photo: Brian Carlin
Race 2 saw HYC's 'Sharkbait' take line honours ahead of Sean Craig's 'Yeti' (RSt.GYC) while 'Sibelius' came home third to keep the pressure on the leader. 'No Name' (Darren Martin of Strangford Lough) took 4th and Andrew Algeo's 5th kept him in touch after two races. Kennedy in 'Ridgefence.com', however, was one of six boats forced to retire but unlike four boats which could not continue racing, he was able to return to the action for the third race.
In fact, he bounced back rather well with a 5th in that last race so he is not out of contention yet. Sean Craig's 'Yeti' went one better than in Race 2 with a bullet, this time changing places with Howth's leading contender 'Sharkbait'. 'Sibelius' and 'Flutter' continued to demonstrate admirable consistency, finishing 4th and 5th respectively.
It doesn't get much closer at the top of the leaderboard after PRO Harry Gallagher and his team got the three races completed and as the Championship reaches its half-way stage, HYC's 'Sharkbait' (Duncan/Moran/Morris) has the narrowest of margins over 'Sibelius' (K.Dorgan), with 'Flutter' (A.Algeo) two points adrift and 'Yeti' (S.Craig) another point behind, the reward for consistency so far.
Placings after 3 races at Howth Yacht Club
| SB3 | Easterns | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plc. | Boat | Owner | Club | Gross | Disc | Nett |
| 1 | Sharkbait | Duncan/Moran | HYC | 7.00 | ||
| 2 | Sibeluis | K Dorgan | CSC | 8.00 | ||
| 3 | Flutter | A Algeo | RStGYC | 10.00 | ||
| 4 | Yeti | S Craig | RStGYC | 11.00 | ||
| 5 | Pattersonlifts | G Patterson | RNIYC | 28.00 | ||
| 6 | Seriously Bonkers | Cuppage/Lee | RStGYC | 29.00 | ||
| 7 | Bad | G Dowling | RIYC | 31.00 | ||
| 8 | Bluebird | C MacAleavey | NYC | 31.00 | ||
| 9 | No Name | D Martin | SLYC | 32.00 | ||
| 10 | Shockwave | E Quinlan | HYC | 32.00 | ||
| 11 | Toucan 3 | A Vaughan | RNIYC | 33.00 | ||
| 12 | Dinghy Supplies | S Murphy | HYC | 36.00 | ||
| 13 | Ridgefence.com | P Kennedy | RNIYC | 39.00 | ||
| 14 | Investwise | May/Quinn | HYC | 41.00 | ||
| 15 | Sin A Bhuifl | Guinness/Costigan | HYC | 43.00 | ||
| 16 | Lupi D'Irlanda | M Sorgassi | RStGYC | 47.00 | ||
| 17 | Monkey | Cassidy/Others | HYC | 53.00 | ||
| 18 | Mr Bump | D Taylor | CSC | 60.00 | ||
| 19 | Ruby Blue | A O'Connell | RStGYC | 61.00 | ||
| 20 | Quantitative Easing | P McMahon | HYC | 62.00 | ||
| 21 | Kick'er Off | Cook/Dicker | RStGYC | 62.00 | ||
| 22 | No Name | D MacCauley | CSC | 66.00 | ||
| 23 | Sunday Brunch | R Tate | RStGYC | 67.00 | ||
| 24 | Smoke on the Water | B Hobby | GISC | 70.00 | ||
| 25 | Bomchickawahwah | J O'Dricsoll | RStGYC | 72.00 | ||
| 26 | Seriously Blonde | J Toettcher | RStGYC | 72.00 | ||
| 27 | Mahanama | R Downing | KYC | 75.00 | ||
| 28 | Sirius Black | Hudson/Leech | ASC/LRYC | 77.00 | ||
| 29 | Rubadubdub | N Doherty | NYC | 90.00 | ||
| 30 | Sandy Bottom | G Judge | RStGYC | 93.00 |
