SAILING COMMODORE'S CUP:IRELAND GREEN, one of Ireland's two teams competing at the Rolex Commodore's Cup at Cowes, opened the series in strong form, lying just half a point behind the defending champions from France after two 12-mile races off Cowes yesterday.
The team, comprising all Mark Mills-designed racing boats, have lived up to commentators' pre-event billing, along with France Blue headed by the veteran campaigner Gery Trentesaux.
Eamonn Rohan's Blondie IV from the Royal Cork Yacht Club scored a race win plus a fourth place in the two 12-mile races yesterday, while Andrew Allen's No Naked Flames from Belfast Lough produced a fourth and a second place.
Tim Costelloe's new King 40 from the Dun Laoghaire Motor YC had two sixth places, which belied their performances which saw them lead the entire fleet for much of the day before the IRC handicap corrections were applied.
The Britain Red team lies third, also matching expectations, though team officials from the Irish Cruiser Racer Association (ICRA) are at pains to point out the event is in its early stages.
A record turnout of 15 teams, each comprising a small, med-size and large boat and involving almost 50 sailors per squad, are contesting this biennial championship that has yet to see an Irish victory after narrow defeats in both 2004 and 2006.
"It's early days in this regatta but to have one team half a point behind the French Blue is not a bad start," said ICRA Commodore Fintan Cairns. "I don't think I've ever seen so many protest flags as in the second race of the day; thankfully, there were none involving Irish boats."
Ireland White fared only moderately well, possibly explained by opening night nerves.
Anthony O'Leary's Antix Eíle from the RCYC was best of the three with a second and third yesterday, while clubmate Conor Phelan's Jump Juice was unlucky to trap weed around its rudder in the second race to finish 11th compared to their fourth place in the opening race.
Eamon Crosbie's Teng Tools from Dun Laoghaire was unlucky not to make the front row starting and scored a sixth and a 13th yesterday. "I'd be happy that they're capable of coming back from the result at this stage," said Cairns.
Today's two inshore courses will be followed tomorrow by the high-scoring offshore course.
