#rssailing – Launching at Greystones Harbour was a sight and sound to behold at 11 yesterday for the first day of the RSEasterns, with both slips operational and the beach in use too. 55 RS dinghies were registered and almost all were intending to go on the water with sails flapping loudly in the fresh westerly breeze. Feva coach briefing, last minute gear repairs and delight with a good breeze added to the atmosphere ashore. A series of sustained gusts came through just after the majority of the boats had launched, with so many new to the fleets, this proved challenging for the Safety crews and racing was delayed while the Fevas were sent ashore and await further instruction.
PRO Neil Murphy and his race team, persevered and managed to fit in the scheduled 3 races for the RS200 and RS400s much of which was spent in 'survival' mode throughout and capsizes were aplenty with the downwind legs resembling obstacle courses. The Fevas were back on the water for the last race.
Consistency at the top of the RS200 fleet with Marshall and Heather King back in a boat together on equal points overnight with Frank and Kevin O'Rourke who just love a bit of breeze. Stephen Craig and Conor Foley putting all they learnt at the frostbites in to practice, managed to keep ahead of new pairing Enzo Michel and Hugh Maguire.
The RS400 fleet results were less consistent with a very mixed bag of results at the top of the fleet! Bob Espey / Michael Gunning Ballyhome lie first, Alex Barry George Kenefick from Cork in second and home team Sean Clery and Steve Tyner in third.
In the Fevas, with just one race under their belts, Alison Dolan and from Blessington/NYC are lying first, Emer Rafferty /Laura Coleman from the George in 2nd and RIYC/NYC parining Dara Donnelly and Rosemary Tyrell in 3rd.
So after lovely curry and plenty of banter in the Clubhouse last night, it's all to play for across the three fleets with a little less wind forecast – should be fun!
