Day 2 in Dromineer should have had 3 races and these along with results from Day 1 would shape the Gold, Silver and Bronze fleets. However PRO Con Murphy had to contend with a very shifty breeze of about 10-15 knots that moved from 180 to 300 degrees with regularity in the morning.
Only on the 6th attempt did the fleet get away for race 1 and half way up the beat the squalls and rain arrived. With wind picking up all the time it was Conor & Matthew who had best start of the Sutton boats getting to weather mark in 18th spot. However an incident later resulting in a capsize undid all the good work. Shane & Ben finished strongly on the second beat to finish in a very creditable 24th.
David & Rory and Sinead & Eve both finished around mid fleet as the wind started to pick up and create difficulties with a number of retirals with 2 sailors needing medical attention after being hit with booms. Irelands Dougie Elmes maintained his great start with a top 10 finish and Jack Maye also posting a very good 12th. Ryan Robinson (SA) and Sarah Richardson (GBR) maintained their great start of day1.
Race 2 got off first time with PRO Con Murphy going with black flag from the off. Up the middle seemed to be the optimum tactic in the steady 18 knots breeze with Dougie Elmes first Irish boat in 4th to weather mark along with GBR and Philippine boats.
With wind always around 20knots now the Sutton boats of Conor & Matthew, David & Rory and Sinead & Eve were having an improved race and were all up in the 30ties. Shane & Ben were having an eventful race with a variety of gear failures pushing them down the field.
Up the second beat with wind now gusting 25knots Irelands Dougie Elmes fought his way into second just rounding the weather 2nd time around ahead of PHI Ridgely Ballardes. Young Katie Davies had opened up a great lead at the 2nd weather mark and chose not to fly spinnaker on the reaching leg. Other leading GBR boats Sarah Richards was not far behind the leading pack, and having won the 1st race of the day is a major contender for this championships. SA Ryan Robinson was also in this pack and will be also one to watch over the week. 2 other Irish boats were in leading 15 included Jack Maye and Cian Hickey.
Only 4 or 5 boats in top 30 flew spinnakers on the reach and with a lot of capsized back markers his may have been a wise move.
Both David & Sinead chose to fly spinnakers and made up a few places on the penultimate leg. With winds now gusting to 28 knots and steady at 20-23 knots conditions were very tough.
Irelands Dougie Elmes fought hard to maintain a top 3 place just behind Philippines Ridgely Ballardes. Katie Davis took the gun, a remarkable finish considering the size and weight disadvantage. Ryan Robinson (SA) and Sarah Richardson (GBR) continue to lead the series with Jeremy Stephen (GBR) also in the mix. Irelands Dougie Elmes lies in 5th overall.
Irelands Jack Maye finished 20th and second placed Irish boat. Irelands Beth Armstrong who had been lying 19th after day suffered rig failure just after completing race 2 in 21st position.
Sutton’s David & Rory finished strongly in 36th having come through unscathed. Conor & Matthew finished 32nd to be leading Sutton boat. Sinead & Eve finished 38th, with Shane & Ben despite multiple gear failures completing the course in 40th. These results likely see all 4 Sutton boats in Silver fleet for the series.
With wind now constantly between 20 and 25 knots and quite a few retirees, the PRO called the fleet temporarily ashore. However with no reduction in wind the fleet did not venture out for a 3rd race.
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