Kinsale Harbour felt unseasonably winterish as the Squib fleet headed out the harbour to race for the Frank Clark ltd South Coast Championship. With 21 boats racing a strong Westerly was blowing as the first race got away promptly and perhaps remarkably for this fleet, at the first time of asking !!
In 17-plus knots of breeze, first to the top mark was 89 Klipbok sailed by locals Micky and Michael Carroll, 2nd with their kite quickly up was the ever- speedy Fagin 100 with James Matthews Helming with Harvey at the business end, then Mucky Duck 51 helmed by Cliodhna Ni Shuilleabhain was around third. Down the run positions remained unchanged, as they did for the next leg up and down wind, it was after the final kite drop and the short beat up to the finish the local bandits pulled a winning move and hardened up rather than going for the pin end and managed to overtake the leaders and strike first blood. Outlaw 785 with Ian Travers and Keith O Riordan got the winning hooter, with Fagin 2nd and KIipbok 3rd.
The second race was quickly under way with wind increased to a strong 20 knots, gusting closerto 30knots at times during the race. The Outlaws had a slightly easier time by leading into the top mark and managed to hold this all the way to the finish. It was a tough race but with 19 finishers in tough conditions shows the quality and toughness of the fleet. As always, Race Officer John Stallard did a great job, mark layers and those on the committee boat had a tough day outside the harbour and a huge thank you to them from all the fleet. The party on the balcony that evening was one of Kinsales legendary barbeques. 
With the forecast looking slightly gentler for the following day and the hope of running 3 races, the championship was still up for the winning…
Three great races closed day two of the Frank Clark Ltd South Coast Championships. With winds up at the 18 knot level it was a tough day out there with close racing and some very tight mark roundings. The consistent and brilliantly sailed Fagin, Squib 100, won the event, with James Matthews and son Harvey. The youngest crew in the fleet, Harvey’s tactical skills helped to keep the best of the rest behind them in what was one of the most keenly contested regional events the Squib fleet has enjoyed for some time.
Ian Travers and Keith O Riordan ( 785 Outlaw ) will be on transit training for the next few weeks as an OCS was ultimately the decider between the boats. Father and son duo Paul and Sean Murphy in Crackers, winners of race 4, took the Third podium place
South Coast Champions James and Harvey Matthews
The fleet will be heading to the Nationals in Belfast over the August bank Holiday. We’ll keep you posted with links to enter etc as soon as they up and open.