Despite a very disappointing turnout for the Mirror Nationals (12 entered with only 10 making the start line), PRO Scorie Walls and her team served up 3 great races for the fleet. Sailed in light conditions of 5-10 knots the top of the fleet had exceptionally close racing with 3 different race winners.
Race 1 got under way at the 2nd attempt after big wind shift resulted in AP with 3 seconds to the off, Quickly into the lead was Caolan Croasdel, the recent Mirror Southerns winner. He was followed by Ben Graf and Sarah White. In light and shifty conditions Sutton Dinghy Clubs main hope and Nationals runner-up last year Conor Twohig did well to be in top 5 at the weather mark. Taking advantage of a moderate increase in wind, Twohig eased into 3rd. With wind easing again all the way up the beat, PRO decided to shorten course leaving a finish atb the end of the sausage. Croasdel maintained his lead to the finish with White just pipping Twohig to second on the line.
A very quick turn around saw the fleet away in Race 2 at the first attempt. Twohig had a great start and headed right. An infringement near the start saw Croasdel doing turns. Graf was also going well and at the end of the first lap that was the order. The breeze stayed light and by the end of the sausage the order was the same but Towhig had managed to open a significant 10 boat length lead. With wind steady the fleet completed the second triangle with the MacAllister brothers (RCYC) and White (Sligo YC) putting pressure on Sutton Dinghy Clubs Oscar Langan for 4th. Twohig took the gun comfortably from an impressive Graf and Croasdell third. Langan held on for 4th.
Race 3 was again light and shifty from the start. A poor start from Croasdel saw him off the line slowly with Twohig, Graf and White away best up the middle. By the end of the sausage however Rory MacAllister led from Sarah White with Twohig in lightening breeze having to work very hard to keep his 3rd spot ahead of young Graf. Despite the breeze the fleet completed the full course with MacAllisters gaining a deserved race win. A consistent White was 2nd with Twohig hold 3rd ahead of the improving Graf. Graf is incidentally sailing 70428, successfully campaigned by Callum Maher/David Johnston and Shane McLoughlin/Oscar Langan from Sutton Dinghy Club.
3 great races, close racing on Day 1 sees Sutton Dinghy Clubs Twohig/Sheey lead by 2 points from Croasdel/Farrell with White/Duffy in 3rd a further point back. Its a real shame to see such a poor turnout with many suggesting the closeness of the Mirror Europeans in Cork in August the reason. 3 more races tomorrow with the Mirror Nationals also running alongside the GP14 Leinsters under the guidance of PRO Scorie Walls. See Overall Day 1 Standings here.