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ASM-Marine KYC Frostbite League - Sunday 26th Feb, 2012.

 

Conditions for the final day of the ASM-Marine Frostbite League at Kinsale Yacht Club last Sunday morning did not look promising initially. The approaching weak warm front, attended by early mist and drizzle, however was accompanied by a steady and persistent South Westerly Force 2 gentle breeze which by race time had strengthened to a welcome Force 3.

Though the usual six week programme as previously reported, had been interrupted by the loss of two days of racing, the Race Committee with the completion of three final races brought the total number to fourteen with three discards applying.

Though the spoils were equally shared in the Laser Standard Fleet on Sunday with Ronan Kenneally (MBSC), James Long (ISKC) and Robert Howe (MBSC) each securing a win, a second and a third, it was Ronan with his outstanding performance of seven straight wins in the early part of the league that that eventually won him the title in this class. His total of eight wins over the series was only to be matched by James and Bruce in the Squib Class.

Darragh O’Sullivan (KYC) in the Laser Radial Fleet, relentlessly making up ground for four races missed earlier, eventually sealed the top spot in this fleet with a flawless performance of three wins and took the KYC Trophy for Best Performance by a Local Sailor in this class. Fellow competitor Eoin Cotter (KYC) saw his overall lead disappear as he scored three fourths, leaving him just four points behind overall. Equally Dermot Lyden’s (RCYC/BSC) late surge, with a second and two thirds saw him jump ahead of Tomas Scanlon (Bantry Bay SC) and take third place overall in this very competitive fleet. Though unable to complete the series, Seafra Guilfoyle (RCYC) is to be congratulated for his six wins in total in earlier weeks.

Holding the top place in the Laser 4.7 Fleet from day one, Cian Byrne (RCYC) did enough to retain that position by five points overall with a third, a fifth and a second. His earlier six wins being the foundation of his eventual victory. Sorcha Ni Shuilleabhain (KYC) with improving performances over the past few weeks, saw her final two wins and a third move her up one place into second overall. Unfortunately, Ross O’Sullivan (KYC) had to concede that second place overall despite a win in the second race, as he also scored a seventh and a fourth. Cliodhna O’Regan held her fourth place overall by virtue of her final two seconds and a third.

James and Bruce Matthews (KYC) in Mucky Duck, in their first attempt in the Squib Fleet, expectedly ran out the eventual winners. With eight wins and never out of the top three in any race, their overall advantage of eleven points going into the final day looked unassailable – no pun intended. This did not deter the improving Colm Dunne and Mark Buckley (KYC) in Yacht Services Ireland to have a final flourish and commendably scored a first, a second and a fourth. Marcus Hutchinson’s Sensation (KYC) crewed on the day by Victor Fusco and Michele Kennelly scoring a second, a third and a fifth ended the series two points adrift of Yacht Services. Bobby Nash and Mike Walsh (KYC) improving steadily , waited on the final race on the final day to make their mark with a win and ended the series in fourth.          

Prize-Giving was attended by KYC Commodore Cameron Good who congratulated the deserving winners and thanked all the sailors for their efforts. Special mention went to PRO Bruce Mathews for his continuing and enthusiastic support, the KYC organizers, the Sponsor and all those who had helped both on and off the water to make this annual event such an enjoyable regatta. Bruce Matthews in his reply highlighted the continuing support of each class and his appreciation of the contribution of the Committee Boat members. The Commodore awarded the prizes for each class which were presented by Agnes McLaverty on behalf of ASM-Marine. Bruce Matthews closed the proceedings with the presentation of the KYC Trophies for the Best Local Performance in the Laser to Darragh O’Sullivan, and the Squib Trophy which was awarded to James and Bruce Matthews.

 

Sunday 19th Feb, 2012 - ASM-Marine Frostbite League @Kinsale Yacht Club.

 

Variable light winds were again the dominating feature of the ASM-Marine Frostbite League at Kinsale Yacht club which moved into the fifth and penultimate week of the series last Sunday. Despite the loss of two days racing so far, the Race Committee has successfully managed to keep the programme on course with the addition of extra races when possible.

 

Competitors were presented with arguably the most difficult set of conditions of the series so far as a NW Force 2 constantly veered and backed in strength and direction throughout the course on each race, finally backing further to the West. As conditions were markedly different at each rounding mark and as the wind pressure shifted unpredictably, positions within each fleet were inevitably on the move too, making for a fascinating series of races which would have an impact on the overall standings for some competitors.

 

Against this back-drop and with a flooding tide crossing the course, racing got under way on time at 12.00 with a combined start for the Laser 4.7, Radial and Standard Classes.

 

Outstanding performance of the day goes to Laser Standard sailor James Long (ISKC) who scored four straight wins in all races. Previously in third place on thirteen points behind leader Ronan Kenneally (MBSC), his performance now puts him just six points behind. Ronan, with seven straight wins previously to his credit untypically scored two thirds, a second and an eighth. Robert Howe (MBSC) due to two DNC’s recorded as not competing on Sunday, slips to third place overall and may have too much to do to regain second. Edward Rice (RCYC) scored a well-earned two seconds and a fourth.

 

New entrant Colm O’Regan (KYC) made an immediate and impressive impact in the Radial Class as he followed a second place in the first race with an excellent three straight wins. However, with two discards already applied and a maximum possible third to come on the final day, it appears Colum’s effect on the outcome is ultimately limited. The top of the Radial table continues to be a moveable feast as Eoin Cotter (KYC) maintaining his consistent form with a further two fourths and two thirds finds himself up two places and in the lead by ten points overall. Previous leader Seafra Guilfoyle (RCYC) not racing this week drops one place to second overall but remains very much in contention. Darragh O’Sullivan (KYC) though carrying two DNC’s from last week returned with a first, two seconds and a fourth which moved him up two places into third overall. Dermot Lyden (RCYC/BSC) recorded an excellent second and two thirds.

 

Cian Byrne (RCYC) retains his lead at the top of the Laser 4.7 Class by a comfortable eight points due to two first places in the first and last races, despite scoring a further third and fourth which he can now discard. Still hot on his heels is Kinsale’s Ross O’Sullivan who despite a untypical tenth in the third race which he can also discard, with a second, third and fourth is now eight points behind overall. Sorcha Ni Shuilleabhain’s (KYC) also retained her overall position of third, but critically moved closer to that second position with an excellent return of a first and two seconds. Cliodhna O’Regan (KYC) with the second best performance in this class, moved closer to the third spot with a first, a second and two thirds just three points adrift overall.

 

In the face of stiff opposition against improving and determined competition on a day of difficult sailing conditions, James and Bruce Mathews (KYC) in Mucky Duck commendably managed to extend their lead at the top of the Squib fleet. Though changing positions were a feature throughout the day, the Mathew’s father and son team came out on top with a first, a second, a first and finally a second. However strong challenges were offered by Marcus and Meagan Hutchinson (KYC) in Sensation during the first two races, and an improving Colm Dunne and Mark Buckley (KYC) in Yacht Services in the last two, both crews recording a win and a second. Despite an OCS in the third race requiring a restart, Sensation came back to score an excellent fourth, but a further fourth in the last race has left them on equal points overall with Yacht Services and ten points behind the leader.

 

Next Sunday 26th, February will see the completion of this year’s ASM Frostbites at KYC. F.G. @ 12.00