Friday

The first day of the Saab Irish Cruiser Nationals was sailed in near ideal conditions at HYC today (Friday 16th May), with the 100+ boats in four classes racing in a moderate 10-12 knot easterly breeze, sunshine and a reasonably flat sea.

Classes 0 and 1 had two races on the round-the-cans course and it was a particularly good start in the big boat division for Anthony O'Leary on 'Antix Eile' (the Ker 39 otherwise known as Silk Glove!). The Royal Cork crew turned in two very impressive performances, taking line and IRC honours in both and leading overall on both IRC and ECHO handicaps.

Over on the windward-leeward course, set off Malahide, three races were completed, although it took some time to get the ball rolling as Class 2 boats had a tendency to break the line. As it was, 'Zoom', Nicola & Stuart Harris's DB1 from Waterford Harbour, won the first race while 'Kinetic' went on to score two bullets in some style. Class 3 was much better behaved and after three races Vince Gaffney's Albin Express 'Alliance' from Howth is living up to expectations with two firsts and a second to lead overall.

	Fri Cruiser0
	Fri Cruiser1
	Fri Cruiser2
	Fri Cruiser3