After a series of near misses in the Commodore’s Cup, there were many reasons why 2008 would have been wholly appropriate timing for an Irish win on the Solent. It wasn't to be but the scene in Cork Harbour last Saturday during Royal Cork's October league – where two more teams are in gestation – is proof that Ireland still has the will to win the Commodore's Cup.
Third time lucky is how it was scripted in 08, but not how it was acted out. After first being jilted by the French and now, for the second time, by the English, the Irish could be forgiven for giving up on the cup. But we haven’t, and we won’t.
Ahead now lie eight months of waiting for another assault on the title, but also eight months in which Ireland can plot its final capture. It’s a measure of that resolve that the Irish campaigns for 2010 are already forming, buoyed up by the fact that in the closing stages on Sunday, July 6th, 2008 Ireland White held the overall lead.
This is a significant point, not least because it reinforces just how quickly this event can turn, but mostly because it shows Irish cruiser pro-am racing deserves its place on the world stage.
Post-regatta analysis at the time focussed on how the Irish teams – who brought experience and talent to the event – were passed as the winning line was in sight.
But there was no disappointment for Ireland when two teams returned home with second and third overall in a competition that resembles, in so many ways, the Admiral’s Cup of years ago.
So it was hats off, then, to the Ireland White team of Blondie IV, Eamonn Rohan’s Mills (King) 40; Tiamat, Tim Costello’s Mills 43; and No Naked Flames, Adrian Allen’s Mills (Slim) 37.
And fair dues too to the Ireland Green trio of Eamonn Crosbie’s Ker 32, Voodoo Chile; Conor Phelan’s Ker 37, Jump Juice, and Anthony O’Leary’s Ker 39, Antix Eile.
Many now expect that a combination of these boats may resurface as a new team again next year. The ICRA meeting in two weeks time will reveal a lot.
Our 08 teams almost made it to the top of a fleet that contained some of the finest cruiser racers from Great Britain, France, Spain, the Netherlands and Hong Kong, as well as Ireland. Armed with all this experience we will soon have another chance at success.
Our sailors have the talent and the craft to get their hands on that elusive cup; all we need now is the resolve to continue the quest. Last weekend in Cork showed that resolve.
