Second-placed Summerfly edges closer to Aoife

Spectacular conditions on Roaringwater Bay rewarded the 76 boats competing in Cork Dry Gin Calves Week yesterday as the race committee opted to bring forward the long race around the Fastnet lighthouse from today’s original schedule.

The race, which was delayed until lunchtime, was split between the smaller boats and white sails classes that were given a sprint to the famous rock off Cape Clear while the bigger boats were routed further via the Gascanane Sound before returning to the finish.

Amongst the early white sails finishers, Hugh O’Donnell on Aoife succeeded in defying the progressive ECHO handicap system with a well-earned fifth place yesterday to follow his win in Tuesday’s opening race.