SAILING ICRA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPSTHE OPENING salvos of the Saab ICRA National Championships were fired yesterday off Howth as a hugely competitive fleet gathered for an Irish cruiser-racer regatta. A total of 106 boats have entered for the three-day series to decide titles in four divisions competing under the IRC handicapping system.

To no one's surprise, Anthony O'Leary's Antix Eíle romped around the course in both races in convincing fashion to win Class Zero. Also known as Silk Glove, the Colm Barrington-owned Kerr 39-footer is on charter to the Royal Cork YC yachtsman to contest next month's Rolex Commodore's Cup in Cowes and is a brand-new boat.

O'Leary was pleased with the new design, especially as it was expected to be quick in light airs, but its performance exceeded expectations. The wind varied from six to 12 knots throughout the day on both courses.

Not everyone was pleased with the light airs. "We definitely struggled for speed when the wind was under 10 knots so we'll be making changes for day two," commented Maurice "Prof" Connell, who was sailing on Blondie IV, the new Mills 40 that placed fifth and sixth yesterday.

While Cork crews dominated the big-boat class, Division One saw two Dún Laoghaire boats battle for the lead. With a win and a second place apiece, Barry Cunningham's Contango leads on tie-break from Tino Hyland and Nigel Biggs's Sail4Cancer.

Wil Williams's Corby 25, Wil2Win, from Pwellhi, Wales, leads Division Two, arguably the most competitive of the four classes in the regatta. Defending champions on Obsession IV from Royal Cork lie third overall but within one point of the leader.

Declan Byrne's Run Doodle from Howth YC, an Elan 31-footer, is the meat in the points sandwich, second. Fourth-placed Tim Goodbody on his Sigma 33 White Mischief is also in striking distance.

Division Three sees local Vince Gaffney on Albin Express holding the overall lead thanks to two wins and a second yesterday.