The RS400 series resumed last Sunday at RNIYC Cultra on Belfast Lough after Storm Bert destroyed week 4. Thankfully, all boats were found safe and well where they had been tied down, and the weather for week 5 looked relatively warm and moderately breezy. Eighteen boats were on the water for week five, bringing the total number taking part in the series so far to twenty-three.
Four short but intense races were sailed in full hiking and planing conditions on a windward leeward course into the wind and the ebbing tide coming out of Belfast Lough. The tide taking the fleet away from the line may have helped get the races away at the first attempt each time together with a line set by RO Gerry Reid which spread the fleet out evenly. Some boats went well to the left and inshore in each race and others stayed nearer the middle of the course but there was a tight group converging at the first mark in each race. The downwind leg also seemed to show that either side could pay with finding the gusts overriding the possible stronger tide away from the Lough shore.
The battle to win the daily prize was a close-fought one between RNIYC teams Peter Kennedy/Stephen Kane and Ross Kearney/Andrew Vaughan, with Stephen McLemon/Edwina Ternan from CSC pushing them hard. The three boats finished on 8,9 and 10 points respectively. Series leaders and Irish Endeavour winners Rob Espey and Mike Ferguson showed their usual form with a win in the final race of the day having had to fight hard with a leading group in the first three races and showing they are not unbeatable despite a run of wins over the last two race days.
Three more Sundays of the series to go and the order on the podium is still to be decided. There's a bit of a do after the final race on 22nd December to look forward to and get everyone in the Christmas spirit.
No comments:
Post a Comment