Blog » 2 days down at the Irish Nationals...

a great turnout of some 53 boats racing and the wonderful Dublin Bay to do it in. Here is the 2nd day report from your intrepid reporter on the scene - over to Adrian Peach:

Day 2 of the irish Nationals saw 20 knots plus from the NW so the OOD decided to run the racing in the relative shelter of the harbour wall. Go out of the harbour and turn right the competitors were told!

After a short postponement the racing got underway with Morgan Peach and Herbie Harford starting the favourable end of the line and heading for the shore into less tide. The boys rounded the top mark in second place behind, top Irish boat Brendan Lydan and Marc Cudmore (regatta Leaders day 2) Rob and Emma rounded in 8 position and were first to really put the bow up and hoon it down wind whilst Owen and Charlie rounded deep in the pack. The Loveridge down wind masterclass paid off as the pair caught up to 2nd by the bottom rounding closely  followed by Morgan and Herbie. Upwind saw the guys battling it out looking for pressure and shifts, Rob and Emma extended their lead by the final bottom mark, and finished 2nd, Morgan and Herbie 4th, Owen and Charlie 21 after getting caught up in a bundle on the final downwind leg.

Race 2 and after a short AP in the final 20 seconds of the countdown because the whole fleet were pushing the line! the race officer went for the "Black Flag" This time the fleet got away and the GBR team rounded the top mark Rob and Emma 3rd Morgan and Herbie 4th and Owen and Charlie 7th. Rob and Emma once again put the bow up and literally flew down wind by the bottom mark they were leading Morgan and Herbie 4th with Owen and Charlie just a boat length behind in 5th. The race officer decided to shorten the course at the windward mark with Rob and Emma taking line honours, Owen and Charlie 5th, Morgan and Herbs 7th.

The Overall GBR Results for day 2 are:
Rob and Emma Loveridge 3rd with 13 points
Morgan Peach and Herbie Harford 4th with 14 points
Gemma Bird and Guy Wilkinson 7th with 26 points
Owen Bowerman and Charlie Darling 10th with 40 points