Only the bravest hoisted spinnakers in the somewhat reduced fleet that took part in today's heavy weather outing of the O'Leary Insurance Royal Cork Yacht Club Winter League from Crosshaven writes Bob Bateman.
The forecast proved correct in Cork Harbour because while conditions looked benign at 10 am the breeze soon averaged 27 knots with gusts of 37 in squalls from the south-west.
In what is turning out to be a series of contrasts, this race followed last week's opener in light airs.
Race Officers Clem and Wendy McElligott started the race from the Committee Boat at Grassy Walk and used Course 70 with a running start and took in an area from start to Corbeg to Number 7 buoy and then on to number 13 off Cuskinny, with several rounds totalling about 12 miles in total.
See more in Bob Bateman's photo gallery from race two below: