Following a dockside sweep-stake amongst the 30 competing teams at the Murphy & Nye 1720 European Championship as to precisely what time Lake Garda’s southerly ‘Ora’ breeze would pump in, boats left the dock just after midday to race the first three races of the championship in a moderate (for the area) 12-15 knots.

Race One was won by Conor Clarke in Wow, with Robert Eckstein (British born, but Italian resident) in second, and Darren Baker in Miele Mad Cow took third. Well? we did wonder what the ‘unknown’ Italians could do?

Race two saw a return to form for the current 1720 UK National Champion Ruairidh Scott in King Quick, back on his winning streak, with Eckstein second and Clarke taking a hard fought third place.

Tacktick micronet, helmed by slippery racing snake Geoff Carveth, took a bullet in race three, Eckstein crossed the line in solid second and Maurice ‘Prof’ O’Connell was third in Aquatack.

At the end of Day 1, the leader board shows Robert Eckstein in first place on eight points, Ruairidh Scott second with 10.8, and Conor Clarke third on 15.8.

Games commence again today at the Murphy and Nye 1720 European Championship, with races 4 to 7 scheduled.