There were 8 races completed last weekend in Lough Derg. Although the sun was shining to take the chill off the lake, the breezes were light and fickle for the opening 2 days. The first 4 races were sailed on Friday in light and testing 6 to 10 knot breezes. The shifts and changes in pressure were difficult to predict and most people had at least one bad race.
Saturday dawned with Lough Derg in classic "glass-out" conditions. One race was attempted and abandoned controversially near the finish (with Tim Farrelly metres from the finish). Eventually one light race was completed - scant reward for 6 hours on the water.
Day 3 started off light, but by the time racing commenced a steady 22 knots was blowing, and this increased further at times during the 3 races.
Overall, Royal Cork sailors are dominating the results at the halfway stage occupying 4 out of the top 5 positions. Alex O'Grady is the best of the HYC contingent in 10th place and currently in a qualifying spot for the Europeans, sailing very consistently in the trying conditions. Jamie O'Grady is next HYC boat in 19th (qualifying for the development squad and French Nationals).
One other highlight of the weekend was Darragh Kelly's win in race 7 - a just reward for some excellent sailing in the windiest race of the series so far.
Leg 2 of the trials will take place in Cork Harbour from 4th to 6th May. Good luck to the HYC gang and let's hope we can get a few more into the qualifying slots.
Results at http://www.iodai.com/media/trial13os.html
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