A view not to be missed at the third day of the Frostbites 2024, with 27 boats on the water, 13 Lasers and 14 in the mixed dinghy fleet.

The weather left much to be desired, but wind conditions were favourable. RO Jim Lambkin, ably assisted by the recently retired and suitably giddy Richard Kissane, set up a Windward Leeward course of about 800 metres in total.

ILCA FLEET: O’CONNELL DOMINATES DAY AND RANKINGS, FAGAN STILL ON TOP

The ILCA class got Race 1 underway with a clean start. Dan O'Connell (RStGYC) was in the zone early and led ILCA 7 from pillar to post. In the ILCA 6, Peter Hassett (HYC) was also in the groove and in control of his fleet. Another opportunity to gain experience for Nicole Quinn (HYC) in ILCA 4, though she would love some more company on the podium: nothing shapes skills and character better than winter dinghy sailing.

Race 2 followed a similar format and results followed a similar pattern. Dan took ILCA7 race while being hunted by that other well known heavy weight Daragh Kelleher (SSC). In ILCA6 Peter continued his form from Race 1 followed in both races by Darragh Peelo (MYC), who put the correct sail in the back of the car this week.

PY FLEET: SHAERO STILL THE ONE TO BEAT WITH THE MELGES LOOMING AT HIS BACK

In the PY class Tristan Nelson (HYC) kept Darragh Sheridan (HYC) off top spot on corrected time in Race 1. In the M15 class the Robertsons (HYC) were setting a marker especially downwind with some super speeds while team Farrelly (HYC) sparred with them the whole way around. As the wind built a little towards 17/18 knots some of our sailors got some swimming practice.

In Race 2, Tristan and Darragh swapped places in the PY class and in the M15 Sarah Robertson led home a trio of female helms, Karena Knaggs (HYC) and the team Elspeth Simms and Anna Brereton (HYC). This was all going on while the Farrelly & McConnell did a capsize test while drifting East. At this point the weather was deteriorating with the wind building and rain filtering across the course from the west which was hampering visibility. RO Jim Lambkin made the welcome decision to shorten R2 by a lap and get the sailors ashore.

Resident umpire Emmet Dalton, gave a robust demonstration of taking his turns at the start of Race 1 after infringing. It was an expensive error but the message is clear, know your rules, take your penalty turns!

Full results available on HYC.ie.

Photo credits: Ronan MacDonell