It's turning into an early battle of the Half Tonners in Class Two of the O'Leary Life sponsored Sovereign's Cup off Kinsale writes Bob Bateman.
Class Two is the Cup's biggest class with 19 boats competing and Half Tonners occupy five of the top six places so far. The event also comprise the Irish Half Ton Championships.
Nigel Biggs' Checkmate XVIII (Royal Irish YC / Howth YC) leads the Class Two IRC (and the Half Tonner class) counting a 1, 2 to be three points clear of John Swan's Harmony of Howth Yacht Club. As regular Afloat readers will know, talented trimmer Neil Makley from North Sails UK, is racing with Biggs and is already making his presence felt, it appears.
Breaking up the Half Tonners is Royal Cork's well-sailed Olson 30 (Kieran Collins).
Somewhat unusual easterly breezes for Kinsale and a lumpy sea with 16-knots provided Principal Race Officer Jack Roy with testing conditions for day one of the Cup across three courses.
Racing is scheduled to continue tomorrow morning at the Cup but easterly winds are forecast as gusting as high as 40 knots.
John Swan's Harmony is second overall after two races sailed in Kinsale
Results are here. Scroll down for photo gallery from Day One of the Sovereigns' Cup Class Two and Half Tonner action by Bob Bateman below
