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| Event Report Day 1 |
| by Graham Smith |
| Photos by Conor Lindsay |
(L-R) 1329, Stampede, Julia Bailey, Royal Thames YC
1330, Kootamundra Wattle, Dan O'Grady & Paul Reilly, Howth YC
1325, Iris III, P McNeill & D Gleadhill, Lake Macquarie YC
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Former Etchells World Champion Peter McNeill and his crew on 'Irish III' from Lake Macquarie YC (Australia) head the Euro Car Parks-sponsored Irish Etchells Championship after the first three races, with a seven point lead over Howth's Dan O'Grady and his crew on 'Kootamundra Wattle' and the leading lady helm Julia Bailey of Royal Thames YC on 'Stampede'.
Sailing in moderate north-easterlies in the earlier part of the day, the first race saw the Carter/Glen entry 'Evelina' from Draycote Water head the 29-boat fleet from the Australian challengers 'The Boat' (Jake Gunther of Royal Brighton YC) and McNeill.
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The Fleet returning to Howth after Day 1
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Irish eyes were smiling at the end of race two with the Burrows family on 'Matatu Dubh' taking the honours ahead of Argyle Campbell of Newport Harbour YC ('Black Jack') and the local Stephens - Quinn and O'Flaherty - in 'Fetching'.
A sixth place put McNeill at the head of the leader-board going into the day's final race, a position he more than consolidated with a bullet ahead of Laura Dillon's 'Lambay Rules' and Dan O'Grady one place behind, a Howth 2-3 that left the local fleet with a real feel-good factor.
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On the Flagship
(L-R back) Harry Gallagher NRO, David Lovegrove IRO, Rupert Jeffares & Alan Pearson
Martin Mydlik NRO, Kate Lovegrove & Judith Malcolm
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Overall standings see HYC boats in 2nd (O'Grady), 4th (Burrows), 8th (Quinn/O'Flaherty), 10th Alex Lacy (even if he is sailing a Dutch entry!) and 12th (Dillon).
Winds decreased as the day went on and the forecast suggested even lighter airs for day 2, with three more races to decide the outcome of this year's National Championships.
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