Two hundred sailors went afloat at Ballyholme Yacht Club on Belfast Lough at midday yesterday for what was to have been the postponed first championship race, but a promising light northerly which had filled in across Belfast Lough became patchy and died away.

The practice race the previous day (25 July) had enjoyed a fresh north-westerly but it failed to hold overnight resulting in racing being abandoned yesterday.

Three races are scheduled for today (27 July).