There were 102 entries to the RSGYC Spring Open Regatta, sponsored by Craftinsure, over the St. Patrick's holiday weekend. Among them were 10 entries from HYC - 8 optimists, 1 RS Feva (David Johnston & Louise Flynn-Byrne 2nd) and 1 Topper.
Some were dusting down their boats for their seasonal debut, while others were using the regatta as a continuation of their winter training. Conditions could not really have been better, with winds varying from 8 to 14 knots and the sun managed to peak through occasionally, especially on Sunday. Despite heavy showers raining down on many St. Patrick's Day parades, Scotsman's Bay was relatively protected and the sailors escaped the worst of any weather.
The Optimists were the biggest fleet, with 38 entries. Alex O'Grady was fast out of the blocks, crossing the finishing line first in race 1 (but was subsequently DSQ in a protest for sailing through the start / finish line) but Richard Hogan had a very tidy first day (4,2,3) and was nicely placed overnight.
3 more races were held on Sunday, again in ideal conditions. Richard's consistency (discarding a 4th) meant he snatched overall victory in the Optimist Class on countback.
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