The Axiom Private Clients Spring Series 2024 at Kinsale Yacht Club got underway on Easter Monday with a fine turnout of over 30 cruisers and 1720 sportsboats in both the Spinnaker and Whitesail divisions.

The racing lived up to its pre-event promise to deliver an 'impressive lineup' of contenders following on from KYC's March Frank Godsell sponsored league, including visiting entries from Waterford Harbour Sailing Club, Royal Cork YC and Schull Harbour Sailing Club.

The series incorporates the SCORA League 2024.

Although raced under IRC and ECHO, the White Sails division is attracting strong interest. Alan Mulcahy's Albin Express Apache continued its strong form from March and finished top in IRC and ECHO in the nine-boat fleet, according to KYC's provisional results below.

Alan Mulcahy's Albin Express Apache is the IRC and ECHO White sail leader in Kinsale Yacht Club's Axiom Spring Cruiser Series Photo: Bob Bateman

John O Connor's Impala 28 Fast Buck lies second on ECHO, and Patrick Beckett's Tofinou 8 Miss Charlie lies third.

In the spinnaker divisions, Kinsale Yacht Club says the first day's "results are being held over until next week to allow for redress".

Kinsale Yacht Club's 2024 Axiom Spring Cruiser Series Photo Gallery by Bob Bateman

Kinsale Yacht Club is all set to host its Axiom Spring Series 2024 for sailing cruisers and one designs, which incorporates the SCORA League 2024, on Easter Monday, April 1st.

The event promises an 'impressive lineup' of contenders already signed up and following on from KYC's March Frank Godsell sponsored league, including entries from Waterford Harbour Sailing Club, RCYC, KYC, and Schull Harbour Sailing Club.

The Sailing Instructions for the event can be downloaded below, covering the Spinnaker, White Sail & 1720 Classes.

The Frank Godsell March League 2024 for mixed cruisers at Kinsale Yacht Club that was cancelled last weekend due to 'adverse wind and sea conditions' will sail two races this Sunday to compensate.

Although racing under IRC and ECHO, the White Sails division is attracting the most interest, with Alan Mulcahy's Albin Express Apache finishing top in IRC and ECHO after the first races on March 11th.

The Frank Godsell March League 2024 for mixed cruisers at Kinsale Yacht Club was cancelled on Monday, March 18, due to 'adverse wind and sea conditions'. 

Although racing under IRC and ECHO, the White Sails division is attracting the most interest, with Alan Mulcahy's Albin Express Apache finishing top in IRC and ECHO after the first races on March 11th.

Racing continues next Sunday. 

The picturesque town of Kinsale Harbour in West Cork was packed with spectators over the weekend as it played host to the tenth annual St. Patrick's Maritime Festival. Despite a gloomy and wet day, the town was buzzing with excitement as the festival kicked off on Saturday night, March 16th. The highlight of the evening was the dazzling fireworks display, and yachts, boats and commercial craft lit up overall, which drew huge crowds from all over the region.

Kinsale Yacht Club Commodore Tony Scannell with Kinsale's St. Patrick's Maritime Festival committee ahead of last night's maritime parade by boats and fireworks display Photo:  Bob Bateman

As the gloomy day turned into a foggy evening, the organisers faced a difficult decision—whether to proceed with the parade and fireworks. However, they decided to take the plunge, and the event was a resounding success.

(L to R) Anthony Scannell, Commodore Kinsale Yacht Club, Celine Henderson of St. Patrick's Maritime Festival, James Lyons winning skipper and Aine Ryan O'Brien. Photo: Bob Bateman

Kinsale Yacht Club played an important role in the event, with members' boats involved in the on-the-water parade. The RNLI Kinsale lifeboat featured along with inshore and offshore fishing vessels, as well as yachts led by Kinsale Yacht Club Commodore Tony Scannell on board his yacht, "Hansemer." This resulted in a wonderful display as the boats emerged from the mist and passed by James' Fort. The coinciding fireworks provided great entertainment for all.

Commodore Scannell welcomed Festival organisers back to the clubhouse after the parade, where awards were presented to the best-dressed boats. 

Tenth Kinsale St. Patrick's Maritime Festival Photo Gallery by Bob Bateman

The logistics of putting on such a spectacular show were not without their challenges. The nearby Cork airport had to control permission for the fireworks display, which only gave a narrow window in which to hold it. However, the organisers pulled it off with aplomb, and the fireworks display was a true feast for the eyes.

The festivities kicked off at 7:30 pm, with participants gathering behind the Blockhouse to prepare for the parade. The procession began with a minute's silence in memory of Des Hurley, the Kinsale fisherman who passed away in December, setting the tone for a sombre yet celebratory occasion. 

Vid below by Mary Malone

The 42nd annual Frank Godsell League kicks off this Sunday at Kinsale Yacht Club, located on the South Cork coastline.

The cruiser league will run for three weeks, with two more races to follow after Sunday's opening.

The next race will occur on Monday, March 18, the day after St. Patrick's Day, and the final race will occur on Sunday, March 24. The first gun for each day of the race will be at 13:55.

Kinsale Yacht Club is anticipating a strong turnout of boats for the event, which, according to them, is sponsored by Frank Godsell for a record 42nd consecutive year, a feat that is "surely unequalled anywhere."

After 12 races sailed at Kinsale Yacht Club's 2024 Custom Rigging Frostbite Series, Ian Travers and Keith O'Riordan sailing Outlaw were crowned overall Squib keelboat division winners on 16 points, three points clear of Colm Dunne and Daniel McCloskey in Allegro.

KYC Club mates Harvey Tucker and Harvey Matthews in Fagan were third on 21. 11 competed.

Kinsale Frostbite Prizegiving 2024 - John Stallard, Principal Race Officer, Michele Kennelly (Sailing Secretary of Kinsale YC), Daniel McCloskey (Squib keelboat division second place crew), Harry Lewis (Custom Rigging Sponsor) and second-placed skipper Colm Dunne Photo: Bob Bateman

Mixed dinghies

First in the mixed dinghies division after 11 races sailed was Mark O'Driscoll in the Laser 4.7 on 21. Second was Ben Fusco and Aisling Fiuza in an RS 400 on 28. Robert Hughes sailing a Laser 4.7 was third on 33. Five competed.

Mark O'Driscoll (left) was the Kinsale Yacht Club's Custom Rigging Frostbite Series mixed dinghies division winner and Rachel Bogue was the Topper class winner Photo: Bob Bateman

Toppers 

Rachel Bogue topped the four boat Topper fleet on 11 points, one point ahead of Fintan Tuohy with clubmate Ollie Lyons third on 15.

Kinsale Yacht Club Frostbite Prizegiving 2024 Photo Gallery by Bob Bateman

Kinsale Yacht Club has cancelled racing on Sunday, 25th February, due to the adverse weather forecast. KYC Race Officer John Stallard will run the next Frostbite races for Squibs and dinghies sailing on Sunday, March 3rd.

Easterly winds are expected to gust to over 40 mph on Sunday morning.

Details of February's 11th racing at Kinsale are here

Kinsale Yacht Club has announced entry is open for its staging of the Dragon Gold Cup, sponsored by Astra Construction Services Ltd, from September 6 to 13, 2024.

This year's event will attract over 60 teams from more than 20 countries worldwide.

The Dragon Gold Cup, which was first presented in 1937 by the Clyde Yacht Clubs Association, brings together competitors from around the world to compete in a friendly spirit. The event is renowned for its world-class racing programme, camaraderie, and hospitality.

This will be the third time that Kinsale Yacht Club has hosted the prestigious event, having previously done so in 1977 and 2012. The club is known for its exceptional hospitality and will be pulling out all the stops to ensure that this year's event is a resounding success.

The organising committee, chaired by Maeve Cotter, has already begun preparations for the event, which will include registration and equipment inspection from September 5 to 7. On September 7, a warm-up race will allow competitors to familiarise themselves with Kinsale's outstanding open water race area.

Championship racing will be held from September 8 to 13, and the event will be one of the most challenging inshore keelboat regattas in the world. The Race Committee may adjust the programme if races are lost, but just one race per day is scheduled, and the races are run over a very large windward/leeward course with leg lengths of two miles or more.

In addition to the overall Gold Cup prizes, there will also be prizes for the top Corinthian, all amateur, crews. Competitors wishing to enter the Corinthian competition must submit their full crew lists with confirmation of the World Sailing ID and valid G1 categorisation for each crew member by September 7, 2024.

Online Entry is now open with a special Early Bird entry fee of €850 for those who enter by June 30, 2024. From July 1, the entry fee will be €950, and entry will close on August 26, 2024.

The entry fee includes craning in and out, trailer parking, berthing, and tickets to the Gold Cup Gala Dinner and the Opening and Closing Ceremonies for all members of the crew.

Kinsale Yacht Club is again hosting the annual Craftinsure Irish International 420 Dinghy Spring Training, marking the start of a new sailing season for the fleet.

The event started on Monday, 12th February and will conclude with the 420 Munster Championships scheduled for Friday and Saturday, 16th and 17th February. 

With 20 boats in attendance, the sailors are ready to focus on practical training and improvement. Coaching is led by Graham Grant, supported by Cara McDowell, Daniel Thompson, Aly O'Sullivan, and Jack McDowell. The training promises four days of intensive coaching for the fleet. The coaching team boasts a wealth of experience, ensuring that the participants receive guidance rooted in the nuances of this high-performance two-person dinghy.

Throughout the week, sailors will focus on refining their rigging and boat-handling skills while setting goals for the upcoming season. The coaching plan is geared towards tangible improvement, ensuring a solid foundation for competitive sailing. 

Après sailing activities include the annual sailor and parent dinner, followed by nautically themed activities, which will be a great way to bring the 420 sailing community together.

Organised by the Irish 420 Association, the Kinsale training is an open invitation to all 420 sailors, regardless of their level of experience

The 420 Munster Championships, scheduled for Friday and Saturday, 16th and 17th February, have already seen 18 boats enter and promise to be a very competitive affair. Spectators can watch from Charles and James forts, offering a scenic view of the racing action.

Organised by the Irish 420 Association, the Kinsale training is an open invitation to all 420 sailors, regardless of their level of experience. The class looks forward to welcoming sailors, coaches, and parents to this practical and focused event. Everyone is looking forward to fair weather and a successful week of training and sailing for all participants.