Kin leads

After day one of the Blue Haven Hotel Irish South Coast Dragon Championship in Kinsale

Simon Brien, David Gomes and Dallas Casley (RNIYC) in Kin are the leaders after the first day of the Blue Haven Hotel Irish South Coast Dragon Championship at Kinsale.

Weather conditions yesterday were ideal for Dragon racing - a steady southerly wind at 10 to 12 knots.

With the wind strength due to increase for Sunday, Principal Race Officer Jeanot Petch decided to hold three races instead of the two planned, with a view to not having a race on Sunday. This meant a particularly strenuous day on the water for these very competitive crews, but nobody was complaining as they need every result they can get in this close competition.

Richard Goodbody, Rick Johnson and Timothy Goodbody (RIYC) in Diva got off to a winning start yesterday morning. However, a ninth in the second race saw him slip to joint fourth overall. Consistent performances from the Kin crew, John Ross-Murphy, Ailbe Millerick and Ed Peel (RStGYC) in Rigmarole, and Cameron Good, Simon Furney and Mel Collins (KYC) in Tatsu saw them move into first, second and third places overall respectively. Yesterday afternoon’s third race saw the top three finish in the same order, but with several boats chasing close behind, there’s no room for complacency.

The sailors had a relaxed programme yesterday evening, enjoying the official opening reception at the Blue Haven Hotel. However, plenty of action is expected on the water once more today.

Results (overall after three races):
1. Kin (S. Brien, D. Gomes, D. Casley)
2. Rigmarole (J. Ross-Murphy, A. Millerick, E. Peel)
3. Tatsu (C. Good, S. Furney, M. Collins)