I will be trying to comment on the events here over the weekend.

If you have anything you would like to add or any comments you would like to add, please drop me an e-mail to: polychrest@ntlworld.com

Sunday

1435 - Race 4 finished in very challenging conditions, so I have not been updating.

1220 - Race 4 now underway, once again in the senior fleet there were a few boats over under the black flag.

Florence  Fanning, Colm Regan, Ali Dix. unfortunately were over.

Results for Race 3 now posted

1110 - In the junior fleet, it appears to be Peter McCann leading with Sean Gambier-Ross Ruari Finnegan and Philip Brownlow close behind at the bottom of the outer loop.

1105 - In the senior fleet at the top of the beat it looks like Killian O'Keefe leading followed by the current championship leader Richard Harrington, then Colm Regan in third.

1050 - Seniors started under black also, once again there were a few casualties on the flag. This time all three are in the top 20, Mark Condy, Aodh Kennedy and Guy Alpin.

1040 - He did go to black flag, and there were two boats over inside the minute, Donal Collins and Seafra Guilfoyle both out under the black flag. The rest of the fleet race on.

1030 - Start race 3, GENERAL RECALL, many many boats pushing the line, given the time constraints......he might go straight to black.....

1025 - Course laid, looks like a 1030 start is on the cards

1012 - All boats on the water

0945 - First boats on the water, starting the stady stream of oppies in a fresh breeze from the southwest.

0940 - Decision taken not to launch the regatta fleet, so results posted are now finals. Congratulations to Peter Regan, Stephen Craig and Conor O'Beirne who were 1st, 2nd and third, and congratulations to the entire regatta fleet for competing so well in difficult conditions yesterday.

0930 - Morning, OK conditions at the moment, looks like we should get at least the one race in that we need for a championship. Committee boat is on station and safety boats are launched.

Saturday

1720 - apologies, conditions worsened and we cleared the fleet off the water as more wind was on its way, so two races completed in the main fleet and 5 in the regatta fleet is the result of the day. Results now posted. Sorry for the delay but things were pretty hectic!

1345 - All three fleets racing again, unfortunately fresher breexe has also brought heavier rain, and with that some low cloud, making shore based observations impossible. I can see that the junior fleet is now rounding their windward mark for the second time and that the seniors are now going accross between the two loops, but I cannot read sail numbers.

1315 - Under sequence in the main fleet, for race two

12.35 At the top of the second beat we have Seafra Guilfoyle, Philip Brownlow, Patrick Crosbie and Peter McCann leading the Juniors, with Ali Dix, Guy Aplin, Jamie Aplin and Richard Harrington leading the Seniors

12.25 As the Junior fleet round the leeward mark we have Seafra Guilfoyle in the lead, with Criag Campbell in second place, and Phillip Brownlow coming up in third

12.20 Guy and Jamie Aplin still leading the Senior fleet, along with Lucy Bolger and Richard Harrington.

12.15 - And leading the Senior fleet round the first mark are Paul O'Connor, Alexander Rumball, and a bit of sibling rivalry with brothers Guy and Jamie Aplin.

12.10 - Rounding the first mark and in the lead are Seafra Guilfoyle, Patrick Crosbie, Criag Campbell, Alan Kingston and Peter McCann

1205 - Early signs on hte first beat, these are views from the shore and may not be accurate but.......I will try.

In the junior fleet, Patrick Crosbie, Peter McCann, Seafra Guilfoyle and Dara O'Shea are all making good early impressions with Craig Campbell holding up the flag for the local boats.

12.00 - Both Junior and Senior fleets have now started!

1150 - Back in sequence, fingers crossed again

1140 - News from the committee boat, 25 degree shift with 20 seconds to the gun, forced the postponement

1135 - First start aborted, can't tell from the shore why that was, but we are back under 'AP'

1133 - In sequence, they are muscling up for a start

1110 - Wind back up again to 10-12 knts, unfortunately it brought a shift and the course is being laid again.

1055 - Regatta fleet taking to the water, yuk yuk yuk, conditions now very light and very wet.......

10.40 - Just gone into a postponement due to shifting breeze. Still raining, fairly miserable conditions.

1000 - Boats all leaving the slip, unfortunately the rain has come on and we are launching in the rain. Committe boat is on station and starting to lay some marks

0900 - Cloudy but reasonably bright skies greeting the competitors this morning. Great buzz around the club as everyone arrives and gets set up. Last minute arrivals keeping the registration team busy. Wind is now in the east and is less than 10 knots but looks enough for racing.

Friday

22:00 - Sun just set over the lough, really nice evening, most of the fleet have arrived, looks like the total entry will be 100+ in the main fleet plus a very healthy regatta fleet of 30 boats

17:00 - Some competitors starting to arrive, and they are welcomed to Belfast Lough with some lovely sunshine, currently there is a very pleasant 10 knot breeze from the NW. Conditions like this would be perfect for tomorrow. Fingers crossed!

If you have anything you would like to add or any comments you would like to add, please drop me an e-mail to: polychrest@ntlworld.com