Portugal's Paulo Manso and Luis Pinheiro are currently leading the first stage of the Melges 15 Cascais Winter Series. The sailors from Madeira Island had a consistent day, scoring a second and two firsts.
John Sheehy and his niece, Katie, from the Royal St. George Yacht Club in Ireland, trail the leaders by three points in the 14-boat fleet. They won the first race by establishing an early lead, then scored second and fourth in the following races.
Locals Joana Madeira and Diogo Pinto are currently in third place, with a 4th, 5th, and 3rd place finish on the day.
It was a beautiful day in Cascais, with a solid breeze of 14 to 17 knots. The Race Committee chose to race inside the bay where the NW wind is shiftier and gusty, providing the fleet plenty to work on.
14 teams from Ireland, Switzerland, and Portugal are competing in Cascais with half the fleet Irish-based.
Tom Flannery of the RIYC sailing with Lily Dwyer of the RStGYC are tenth.
Cormac Farrelly crewing for his son Fiachra from HYC are eighth.