#commodore'scup – Ireland is set to contest the 2014 Commodore's Cup with two of three boats required already slated for the biennial event which is being held in Cowes, Isle of Wight between 17-25 July 2014. Sailing officials from the Irish Cruiser Racer Association (ICRA) remain tight lipped about team composition but it is understood a third boat has been identified and negotations to form the squad are ongoing.
An ICRA press release says the Irish Team have two very competitive boats, one Irish and one from the U.S. Both have top Irish sailors as part of their crew.
In 2010, Ireland won the event but disappointingly in 2012, in the teeth of recession, Ireland did not defend the Commodore's Cup title after weeks of doubt about Ireland's ability to put a competitive three boat team together.
Now it looks like Former Irish Cruiser Racer Commodore Barry Rose will make good on his 2012 promise to 'return with a credible team for the 2014 event'.
Rose reported to a September executive meeting of the sailing body that two 'strong boats' are interested and a third is being sought for an Irish team.
ICRA now say a third slot is still available and is an opportunity for a competitive boat or Irish team.
The executive also discussed fielding a corinthian team and the possibility of a second Irish team remains a possibility.
In the UK, the RYA is planning for next season's premier sailing event, the Brewin Dolphin Commodores' Cup
The biennial event, organised by the Royal Ocean Racing Club, is one of the most prestigious events on the international yachting calendar culminating in a tough mix of inshore and offshore racing across a tense seven-day racing programme on the testing waters of the Solent.
With RYA GBR Red having won the event in 2012, the pressure is back on for a successful defence of the trophy. In order for owners to be able to plan and prepare their boats and teams, the RYA is looking to invite either owners or their representatives to a meeting in London or Southampton in late November to inform them of the selection process and to discuss training weekends and qualification events in the build-up to selecting the teams to represent the RYA.
The Commodores' Cup, which started in 1992, is an international three-boat team event using the IRC Rating system and is open to boats rated between 1.020 and 1.230, with only one boat rated above 1.150.
Janet Grosvenor, Chair of the RYA Offshore Racing Group, said: "The Brewin Dolphin Commodores' Cup next year is coming up fast and we need to make sure we have the buy-in of owners and sailors at an early stage so that we can help support them in their preparations both for the trials as well as for the event itself. Having spoken to RORC it looks like another high quality year with regards to entries and we are excited about the prospects of the potential RYA teams for next year."
"The RYA has in place a Selection Committee who will be introduced at the meeting. They have the challenging job of working with the teams over the winter and spring and making the final decision on which boats are finally selected to represent the RYA."
The RYA is urging interested parties to register their interest in the BDCC Owners Meeting and the opportunity to represent RYA Team GBR at the 2014 regatta as soon as possible.
For more information on the Brewin Dolphin Commodores' Cup meeting or if you're interested in finding out more then please contact [email protected], RYA Technical and Racing Services Manager.
