Greystones Sailing Club's J122 Kaya is walking away with the IRC Zero Divison of the ICRA National Championships, counting four wins from four races so far.
“The boat is going very well, and we got good positions most of the time,” Kaya tactician Mark Mansfield said. “With a good crew, the results just came. And we’re the middle-rated boat in our class.”
The Wicklow crew are Frank Whelan (helm); Paddy Barnwell (nav/helm); Mark Mansfield (tactics), Andy Verso (main); Bill Nolan (trim 1); Cillian Ballesty (trim 2); Gary Hick (pit1); Matt Sherlock (mast); Gavin Laverty (bow 1); Brian Hare (bow 2) and Killian FitzGerald (pit2)
The regatta reaches its conclusion on Sunday, and some well-publicised challenges for the Zero title have not materialised.
Although a pre-race favourite, Conor Phelan's Ker 37 Jump Juice took a UFD penalty in the first of three races today, putting her into fifth overall on 22 points.
Another challenge from June's Sovereign's Cup-winning Grand Soleil 44 Samatom ended after a weather mark collision in race two saw the brand new marque retire from racing today.
Another great start for Kaya in the ICRA big boat class, but spare a thought for smaller Class Zero competitors such as second-row Yoyo, the Sunfast 3600, some 10 feet smaller than the biggest entry
Instead, Jay Colville’s Forty Licks from the Royal Ulster Yacht Club has been a consistent presence in the 12 boat fleet and is rewarded with second place overall on 10 points.
Jay Colville’s Forty Licks from the Royal Ulster Yacht Club is second overall.
Another Northern Ireland boat, the Beneteau 40.7 Game Changer, lies third on 19 points.
The Beneteau 40.7 Game Changer from Cockle Island Boat Club lies third
The forecast for Sunday's final two races is for SSE winds of 12 to 16 mph
Results are here
The Dublin Bay First 40 Prima Forte from the National Yacht Club lies fourth.
El Pocko, a Puma 42 from the Royal St George Yacht Club
