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
|