So what happened .... How did leg 1 of the Trials go ?

Day 1

Nerves were fraught, tensions were high ands the excitment was mounting ...
and that was just the parents the sailors were excited too.

Light Winds and diffcult conditions tested the tactitions amongst the sailors.

The older sailors were able to spot the wind shifts whereas the younger lighter sailors had the weight advantage. All in all things seems to balance out. The sailors had been warned at the briefing that the I flag and the dreaded black flag would be used if a number of recalls had to be made.

Race 1:  Hot favourite and winner of the junior title in the Nationals Peter Mc Cann of RCYC won outright followed closely by Harry Whitacker and Peter Queally.

Race 2 After a number of general recalls the black flag was called into play and 4 sailors fell foul of it. This race was to be John Durcan's as his green sail numbers crossed the finish line with Daire Cournane (affectionately known as midget) taking second place and Peter Mc Cann this time in 3rd.

Race 3: This time 6 sailors were dissapointed at the windward mark to see their sail numbers black flagged on the board. This race was won by Sean Donnelly followed by Peter Mc Cann in second position and Seafra Guillfoyle in 3rd.

The Top five results after Day 1 were as follows:

 Day 2

Once again a flat calm Lough Derg greated the sailors and bright blue sky and sunshine were the order of the day. Those who had hoped for 22 kts were dissapointed with the 10 kts on offer.

The start was half an hour earlier with first gun at 11 and the breeze filled in nicely from the lower lake. With no wind forecast for Sunday the rumours started early that there would be four races and the sailors prepared themselves for a long day.

Race 1: After a clean start Patrick Crosbie had a bullet followed by Sophie Browne (Top Girl so far) and Sean Gambier-Ross in 3rd place.

Race 2: Was won by Seafra Guillfoyle followed by Peter Mc Cann and Cian Byrne (winner of the British Junior open Championship) followed in 3rd.

Race 3: After another black flag start where 6 saiolrs were to be dissapointed .Peter won comfortably again followed by John Durcan and Jill Mc Ginley had the race of her life finishing in a staggering 3rd position.

Race 4: The final race of the day caught many a sailor out as the starting line bias changed from a committee boat start to the pin end. Not so Patrick Crosbie who won anyway followed by Peter and Sophie.

The Top five results after Day 2 were as follows:

Day 3

With no wind forecast the sailors rigged and waited....and waited....and waited !

The race officer optimistically postponed a number of times as the wind seemed to be filling in but was unfortunately too variable to race in.

There was nothing else to be done but pack up or go swimming !

For Full results of the trials please click here