Great Britain's Alex Jones leads the International Topper World Championships after the first day of gold fleet racing in the 5.3 division. China's Shiyin Niu is lying second, with Britain's Rory Clow third in the Cork Harbour competition.
The best of the Irish is County Antrim Yacht Club's Luke Simpson in fourth place.
Local hopes were dented when Royal Cork's Craig O'Neill, who held a commanding lead in the qualification stage of the competition, counted a 'Did Not Compete' (DNC) in the first race of gold fleet racing and is currently lying in 48th place.
See gold fleet results after three races below.
Wednesday’s forecast was for grey, wet weather with NE winds up to 20 knots and proved pretty accurate. As a result of the forecast and the distant location of the 4.2 race course, the decision was taken to cancel the Topper 4.2 fleet for the day and race the first of the Topper 5.3 Finals series on the closer Curlane bank course.
The 5.3 fleet, are now split into the Gold, Silver and Bronze fleets for the finals series. The Gold fleet of 98 boats kicked off with a general recall as the strong tide pushed boats along and over the line.
The Topper 5.3 World Championships Gold fleet of 98 boats kicked off with a general recall in Cork Harbour as the strong tide pushed boats along and over the line Photo: Bob Bateman
PRO Con Murphy went straight to the Black Flag with the wind down to 9 knots as a rain shower deadened the breeze. After the start, 75% of the fleet tacked to the right in an effort to stay up-tide, whilst those going left found themselves pointing at mark 2 of the reaching leg and struggled to get back against the current to the windward mark.
Topper World Championships 5.3 Gold Fleet Racing (Wednesday) Photo Gallery by Bob Bateman
After the second loop of the trapezoid course, it was IRL 406, Riona McMorrow Moriarty, that led through the downwind gate, just ahead of GBR 114 Alex Jones and CHN 841 Shiyin Niu, making it a 1-3 for the girls, followed by a tight bunch of boats all finishing together, giving the spotters on the finish boat a tough time.
In the Silver and Bronze fleet start, MLT 800, Daniel Agius from Vikings SC rounded first, showing the benefit of all his warm weather training back home in Malta, but he was caught on the top reach by IRL 410, Luke Simpson, as the top three enjoyed a close battle for the remainder of the race, with Sam Roche, IRL 470 eventually taking the gun, ahead of Joseph Robinson IRL 737 and Daniel Agius with a very satisfying third.
The tides in Cork have proved a new challenge for sailors from China and Malta, who usually sail on waters that don’t move beneath them!
