A strong 15-boat out for the National 18s at Royal Cork Yacht Club for the River Race on Friday evening, September 30, saw Nacho (hull number 427 but sail number 41) win a tight battle on the Owenabue.
Sailed by Harry Pritchard, Ronan Kenneally, and William O'Brien, regular Afloat readers will know this RCYC trio were also the winners of August's 12-race National 18 British and Irish Championships at the same venue.
The annual fixture typically represents the last race of the season for the 18 fleet.
An evening westerly breeze was perfect for the river race start in front of the RCYC clubhouse, and there was a bunched offwind start under spinnaker captured in the video below.
According to the latest results handed to Afloat, ILCA champion Nick Walsh was in second place, sailing with Eddie Rice and Rob Brownlow in Peaky Blinders.
Nick Walsh was second with Eddie Rice and Rob Brownlow in Peaky Blinders in the National 18 River Race at Royal Cork Yacht Club Photo: Bob Bateman
While the wind softened at the start, it built again nearer the weather mark.
Third was Virtual Misfits sailed by Stephen O'Shaughnessy, Mark O'Donovan and Jonathan Horgan.
Virtual Misfits (left) sailed by Stephen O'Shaughnessy, Mark O'Donovan and Jonathan Horgan was third in the National 18 River Race at Royal Cork Yacht Club Photo: Bob Bateman
Videos by Bob Bateman and Mary Malone
