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Zhik Irish Laser National Championship at Ballyholme Yacht Club - Day 1

by Mark Mackey 29 Aug 2014 10:17 BST 28-31 August 2014

The 3 Laser fleets woke up on a beautiful sunny day at Ballyholme Yacht Club knowing that the wind was to fill in over the afternoon but no-one was sure by how much. There is a little tension among the 126 competitors for the first time in a few years but if anyone was ignoring the pressure, it was the incumbent Olympian sailors from London 2012 James Espey (Ballyhome YC) and Annalise Murphy (National YC, Dun Laoghaire) who have won 5 Nationals between them.

This summer has new blood on the horizon - Finn Lynch winning the Laser Under 19 Youth World Championship last week in France, while Seafra Guilfyle won the silver medal at the ISAF Radial Youth Games earlier in the summer.

Race 1 started with a southerly breeze and relatively flat seas with 16 knots. In the standard fleet James Espey got off to a slow start rounding the first mark 7th but a left shift on the second beat took him up to first from where he distanced himself from the chasing pack. ISA Squad member Fionn Lyden was second with Finn Lynch in 3rd. In the Radials Ballyholme's Liam Glynn led around the course till the second round until he sailed the wrong course and was passed by the top 4. Annalise also got off to a poor first beat in 20th place but she managed to catch up and pass Cork's Cian Byrne at the final mark.

The conditions worsened considerably for Race 2 gusting up to 25 knots at the finish. Annalise has always excelled in heavier airs and showed the rest of the Radial class the way home from the first mark. Finn Lynch led the Standards for 90% of his race but James Espey passed him up the final beat as the breeze grew.

The Youth 4.7 fleet managed the conditions commendably with Johnny Durcan from Royal Cork YC winning Race 2 and was second to Lough Derg's Scott Levie in Race 1. Asked for a comment afterwards Johnny offered that it was "very windy" and was a day to "keep your eyes out of the boat"

Race Officer Robin Gray decided to postpone the final race until tomorrow with the wind settling over 24 knots. Unfortunately the morning looks like similar conditions with the breeze expected to start to die in the afternoon.

Results after Day 1: (top four, full results can be found here)

Standards
1. James Espey, Ballyholme YC/RUYC 1,1
2. Finn Lynch, National YC 3,2
3. Colin Leonard, BYC 4,3
4. Fionn Lyden, Schull SC 2, 6

Radials
1. Annalise Murphy, NYC 1,1
2. Seafra Guilfoyle, Royal Cork YC 3,2
3. Cian Byrne, RCYC 2,6
4. Tim Brow, BYC 5,3

4.7
1. Johnny Durcan, RCYC 2,1
2. Niamh Doran, Courtown SC 3,3
3. Scott Levie, Lough Derg YC
4. Rory Fekkes, BYC

Ballyholme Yacht Club is very grateful to Zhik who are sponsoring the Irish Laser National Championships for the first time. Tested and proven, Zhik gear is the clear winning choice of Olympic and World champions around the world. Fast wetgear products including the revolutionary T2 harness for trapeze sailors, PowerPads for hiking sailors, Superwarm Wetsuits, Microfleece, Hybrid gear and high tech footwear. Gear for dinghy sailing, yachting, paddling, SUP boarding and kite board racing, join the growing league of athletes who are embracing brilliantly waterproof breathable & durable gear in events such as the America's Cup, Vendée Globe & Sydney to Hobart. Shop direct with Zhik online or find a retailer near you for high performance wetsuits, thermals and much more.

McCready Sailboats are offering a sail for raffle on the Saturday evening of the Championships, and will be on-site during the event.

www.ballyholme.com/zhik-irish-laser-national-championship

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