Rory Ryan

Light winds made for slow progress for much of the race, but we had plenty of opportunity to test newly serviced winches, Genoa sheets and a preventer while sailing goose-winged after the first mark. A small increase in winds towards the end saw us closing much of the gap to the back of the fleet

Sailed from Garrykennedy to Dromineer with a practice start around Mountaineer buoy

We expected to travel from GarryKennedy to Dromineer, but heavier gusts than forecast would make manuvering in Dromineer a tad tricky. We decided to bring Dark Angel out to test recent repairs to the mast post. With the second reef in the main we headed out. After an hour of bearing into the wind and running along with it we decided to head back to the safety of GarryKennedy harbour. While we were out, some of the boats from lough derg sailing club were practicing, and their instructors kindly checked in with us to make sure we were ok.

We anchored for an hour in the harbour behind Fumicino Lighthouse where we swam and had lunch.