Patrick Hassett wins in Kinsale

I took part in the Irish National 2.4mR Championship over the weekend in Kinsale. It was originally intended to hold two days of racing. However, the first day a moderate southerly wind brought rough seas and racing for the day was abandoned. The second day had much more pleasant conditions. We raced 4 races. The strong tides of the Kinsale waters proved extremely challenging for myself. Unsurprisingly, the former World Champion Megan Pascoe was the winner of the event. I myself finished in 7th place overall and first out of the Irish disabled sailors with fellow Irish sailor John Patrick one place ahead and Gina Griffin very close behind.

The first race was somewhat hampered by shifts in the wind direction and was abandoned so the course could be reset. Racing continued smoothly after that. The course consisted of a simple windward-leeward mark rounding. We were also somewhat hampered by the strong tides of Kinsale, which interestingly Megan Pascoe used to her advantage. She would steam up past the line before the start and then allow the tides to drag her back down. One of the organisers noted that he had not seen this technique in a long time! Thanks to all in Kinsale Yacht Club for the superb hospitality.

I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and look forward to continuing sailing in the DLMYC Frostbite series over the winter.