SAILING: Local knowledge paid off for Irish crews in the penultimate day of racing in the Fáilte Ireland GP14 World Championship at Sligo Yacht Club yesterday.
However, Britain's Ian Dobson and Andy Tunnicliffe have moved into the overall lead after lighter winds dominated racing close off the Black Rock lighthouse.
The new leaders scored two race wins together with an 11th place and hold a comfortable 16-point advantage on the runner-up boat.
Previous leaders and reputed heavy-weather specialists Carl Jeffs with Jim Toothill now lie in third place this morning as the light airs yesterday didn't suit their reported 28-stone combined crew weight, well above the optimum trim for the GP14.
The pair from Trimpley Sailing Club in Britain had a 22nd, a 12th and a fourth yesterday, dropping them 24 points behind the new leaders.
Weather may yet prove decisive in the championship with forecasts for the final races varying from calm to light conditions suggesting an overall shifty finale.
As for the Irish hopefuls chasing a podium result or Gold fleet top 10 at least, yesterday's dying breeze proved tricky for some. While local sailor Tim Corcoran with crew John Downey proved the most consistent, scoring two second places, others were less successful.
Previous Irish leader Hugh Gill with Stuart Boyle from Sutton Dinghy Club dropped a place to seventh overall, mostly due to a 33rd in one race.
Locals Niall Henry and Oisín Geraghty are now placed fifth overall thanks to a third place among the 37-strong Gold fleet.
The Silver division is being led by Scotland's Joanne McDonald with Greg Pitt while Newtownards Steve Preston and Vicky Meredith are winning the Bronze fleet. Titles for all three fleets will be decided when the championship ends after two further races today.
