Royal Irish's Niall Dowling Leads Cape 31 Class at RORC's Vice Admiral's Cup

21st May 2023

Niall Dowling’s Arabella is leading the Cape 31 Class at RORC's Vice Admiral's Cup, scoring a consistent 5-7-1 Credit: RORC

Three different teams scored victories on Saturday in the 25-strong Cape 31 Class at the RORC's Vice Admiral's Cup on the Solent.

James Howells’ Gelert took Race 1, Roger Bowden’s Nifty ran away with it in Race 2, and Niall Dowling’s Arabella won Race 3.

After three races, Niall Dowling’s Arabella is leading, scoring a consistent 5-7-1. Mike Bartholomew’s Tokoloshe scored a 3-3-9 and is second by virtue of countback from Michael Wilson’s Shotgunn, which scored 6-5-4. Anthony O’Leary’s Antix is definitely in the mix, two points off the podium.

RORC member Niall Dowling hails from Ireland and is also a member of the Royal Irish Yacht Club. “I knew would have a good last race but had no idea that we were leading after three races; I haven’t been allowed to look at anything but my telltales all day!” smiled Arabella’s Niall Dowling. “Consistency was a real key today, the Tokoloshe guys sail the boat incredibly well, but to be honest, our lead is not down to me; it’s the great crew on Arabella. I hope we are not one-day wonders because this is great sailing!”

After the biggest fleet of Cape 31s to ever make a start line, Niall Dowling gave his opinion about what matters in the Cape 31 Class. “Having 25 Capes out is amazing, but what is even more impressive is that nobody is being destructive,” continued Dowling. “The Class have managed to grow the fleet well and keep the good atmosphere. Maintaining the class spirit, where everyone is out to have a good time, is key; if we can continue to do that, then great. On the course today, with the wind from the north, it was shifty, so we all had ups and downs, but I think everyone had great sailing and returned to the dock delighted.”

Four boats from Ireland have made the journey to the Solent, and the Irish champion, O'Leary's Antix from Royal Cork, has had a consistent score of 7.0, 5.0, 3.0 to date.

Anthony O'Leary's Antix from Royal Cork (red boat), is fourth with a 7.0, 5.0, 3.0 score in the Cape 31 Class at the RORC's Vice Admiral's Cup Photo: Rick Tomlinson

Howth Yacht Club's Dan O'Grady's Aja is lying mid-fleet in 13th. David Maguire's Valkyrie is 20th, and Darren Wright's Adrenaline is 22nd.

Racing continues on the Solent today.

The results are here.

Published in Cape 31, RORC, Royal Irish Yacht Club

Published in Cape 31

Tagged under

Cape 31

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