ELEVEN boats took to the water for the iconic Ailsa Craig Race at the Royal Ulster Yacht Club on Friday evening.
In what was forecast to be a light downwind leg to the Craig, as it turned out there was some more wind to be had during the night and the fleet enjoyed a straightforward race.
First home across the finishing line at the club was Michael Eames Blacksmith in Class 1 at 6.53am, closely followed by Johnny Ritchie’s Sigmantra with eXcession (Harrington, O’Tiarnaigh and Mulholland) only a couple of minutes further back.
Visiting regulars Brian and Ryan Wilson’s Elixir was next followed by Adrain Allen’s Succesion and Terence O’Neill’s Jemmie Dodger from Portaferry.
In Class 2, Aiden Pounder’s Caesium took line honours at 8.18am followed by Elandra of Down (M and V Dews) with Terry Fair’s Scotia and Derek and Gill’s Lofna completing the Class.
Michael Wilson’s Sunflower and crew were unfortunately on their own in the Whitesail Class.
The Overall winner on corrected time was eXcession with Elandra taking Class honours on corrected in Class 2.
This week is the final race in the Legacy Wealth Management Early Series of club racing at Royal Ulster. There will be a series prize giving after racing and all competitors are welcome back to the club as usual. The Late Series of club racing starts next week.
The Sigma 33 National Championships are being held at Howth YC this weekend and the club sends best wishes to Emma and Paul Prentice in Squawk, Mark and Andrea Mackey in Mithril and Martin and Vicky Dews in Elandra of Down, competing in the 17-strong fleet from clubs around the Irish Sea.
