Kooijman extends overall lead

AS THE ideal racing weather continued on Dublin Bay yesterday, Dutch national Albert Kooijman on Just 4 Fun increased his overall lead of the Alfa Romeo J24 European Championship at the Royal Irish Yacht Club.

A slip in the first race a sixth place recovery from the bottom half of the fleet appeared to end his opening day run of fortune when he scored straight wins.

However, another win in Race Four proved the true form and a seven-point advantage emerged at the end of the day. Kooijman can also look forward to dropping the "bad" result when the first discard comes into force after tomorrow's Race Seven.

Alfa Romeo J24 European Championship (at Royal Irish YC, Dun Laoghaire)

Overall after four races: 1 Just 4 Fun (A Kooijman/NED - 9.00); 2 Hitchhikers Guide (D Ellis/GBR - 16.00); 3 Stouche (S Jardine/GBR - 23.00); 4 Rotoman (L Loose/GER - 23.00); 5 J di F (Guardia di Finanza/ITA - 24.00); 6 Wijit (M Penfold/GBR - 25.00).

Best Irish: 7 Virgin On the Ridiculous (D O'Donovan - 62.00); 8 Cries of Passion (B Maguire - 63.00); 13 Crazyhorse (F Heath - 80.00).

Results provisional - subject to protests.