I have a very potent meteorology indicator in my back yard, it's called a brown bin. When it's upturned and sliding around skippers and crews head to the pub. That was certainly the case yesterday as I was walking my almost airborne little dog around Ballyholme Beach. 

Fortunately Principal Race Officer Con Murphy wishes were granted and a 5 knot reduction on the Beaufort scale came to pass this morning within an hour of the first start gun and they were off!

It would have been a very disappointing outcome if we lost the chance to round off an exceptional 4 days without a race today but, as the prize-giving is at 15:00 and one race completed the fleet was sent home to chill out and compare notes ahead of the final results.

Nothing like this happens without sailors, volunteers and sponsorship. There will, no doubt, be a fitting tribute to all as we gather in Royal Ulster YC this afternoon to celebrate and say our final goodbyes.

Wishing all our visiting competitors fair winds to their home ports. 

Roundup by Bob Torrens
Photo by Con Murphy