George Sisk’s XP44 WOW from the Royal Irish Yacht Club on Dublin Bay leads the eight-boat Coastal Class in the O’Leary Life sponsored Sovereign’s Cup off Kinsale after today’s first race writes Bob Bateman.

Although the Dublin Bay boat leads, Kinsale yachts are second and third. Thomas Roche’s, Salona 45 Meridian is second and Conor Doyle’s Xp 50 Freya third.

Somewhat unusual easterly breezes for Kinsale and a lumpy sea with 16-knots provided Principal Race Officer Jack Roy with testing conditions for day one of the Cup across three courses.

Racing is scheduled to continue tomorrow morning at the Cup but easterly winds are forecast as gusting as high as 40 knots.

Results are here. All provisional and subject to protest.

Meridian is in second place

Conor Doyle’s Xp 50 Freya crosses George Sisk’s Wow at the start of the first Coastal Race