Matthews Helly Hansen Spring Series at Kinsale Yacht Club - Day 4
by Dave O'Sullivan 29 Apr 2019 06:52 BST
28 April 2019
'O, to be in Kinsale Now that April's there' to paraphrase the poet. A true wind, a flat sea and a warm sun reminded the combined fleet of the Matthews, Helly Hansen sponsored Spring Series of the reason we love to race sailboats.
Race Officer Donal Hayes took hold of the opportunity and laid two tough courses stretching the width of the outer harbour from Preghane to Hole Open. Long hard beats were followed by giddy kite rides and all accompanied by the smell of Factor 50.
Starts were hard fought and praise must got to the nerves of the committee boat, White Tiger, who looked like they were to be joined in the cockpit by Finny O'Regan's 'Artful Dodger' and crew. But it was one of those days where bad things didn't happen and with the briefest kiss she was gone.
The big boys of racing stayed in last week's position with Nieulargo leading Jump Juice leading Meridian.
Another victory for the RCYC in class 1 with Bad Company winning both handicaps. A boat for the future here is surely Brian Jones' Jelly Baby. She loved today's conditions and landed two bullets with time to spare.
Again a popular victory in both Class 2 categories, with Waterford sailors Fulmar Fever and Flyover edging past local favourites 'Diamond' with the sponsor James Matthews at the helm.
No waiting for Godot in the white sail fleet as she romped home without any real competition. When a boats discard is a second place, you know they are good.
It's back to club racing now in KYC and the next big event in the cruisers calendar is the Fastnet race on Saturday 25th May and of course Sovereigns Cup 26th/29th June. And, if today is anything to go by, it is time to buy shares in Factor 50.
Matthews Helly Hansen Spring Series Overall Results:
Class Zero IRC & ECHO
1. Nieulargo - D. Murphy
2. Jump Juice - C. Phelan
3. Meridian - T. Roche
Class One IRC
1. Bad Company - F. Desmond
2. Justus - D. Buckley
2. Coracle VI - K. Collins
Class One ECHO
1. Bad Company - F. Desmond
2. Justus - D. Buckley
2. Jelly Baby - K. Collins
Class Two IRC
1. Flyover - D. Marchant
2. Diamond - J. Matthews
3. Fulmar Fever - R. Marchant
Class Two ECHO
1. Fulmar Fever - R. Marchant
2. Diamond - J. Matthews
3. Flyover - D. Marchant
White Sail IRC & ECHO
1. Godot - J. Godkin
2. Gunsmoke II - S. Cohen
3. Miss Charlie - P. Beckett