Fiona Young's Albin Express North Star leads the IRC White Sails Division of Royal Cork Yacht Club's O'Leary Insurance Winter League 2021 after five races sailed in Cork Harbour.

The Myrtleville helmswoman has a two-point margin after today's race in an ideal northwest sailing breeze at the bottom of a December spring tide.

One time leader, Diamond (Colman Garvey / Kieran Kelleher), is second on nine points from Richard Leonard's Bolero Bandit on 13 points.

Fiona Young's Albin Express North Star Photo: Bob Bateman

After a running start from Cage out the harbour to No. 3 buoy the course set by Race Officer Clem McElligott took the fleet on a beat back to Cage and then a harbour course to the finish.

Front runner - The Tingle family's new X-4 Alpaca Photo: Bob Bateman

The Tingle family's new X-4 Alpaca led on the water but in their wake were some real boat to boat battles real between Anthony O'Leary's modified 1720 and Nick Walsh's new 1720 entry Breaking Bad. Likewise, there was a good tussle between the overall leader North Star and the quarter tonner Diamond.

Results are here

Day Five O'Leary Insurances Winter League Photo Gallery By Bob Bateman

ICRA Champion 2021 yacht Kaya is heading to Cork Harbour subject to survey, that's according to unconfirmed reports from Crosshaven.

This month's advertisement for the Greystones Harbour yacht (for sale at €145k through Key Yachting) drew an immediate response from interested south coast parties currently looking to upgrade.

As regular Afloat readers will know, the J/122 that took overall honours in her debut Irish season at the ICRAs at Dun Laoghaire and Calves Week in West Cork first sailed in Irish waters in May during ISORA's training races.

Set up for both inshore and offshore racing, the good news is the ready to race boat looks to be staying in the Irish cruiser-racer fleet and not going abroad so it's entirely feasible she could yet be on the June start line for the 2022 Round Ireland Race and July's Cork Week.

Last week's club talk by Royal Cork Yacht Club helmsman Harold Cudmore on the exploits of the Cork Harbour One Design classic yacht Jap at St. Tropez in October gave details of the 1897-built yacht's recent performances on the continent but also revealed details of 2022 plans to bring a classic boat division to Cork Week Regatta next year.

As regular Afloat readers will recall, the restored Jap skippered by Cudmore and with a crew that counted club Admiral Colin Morehead among its number won Le Voile Saint Tropez Classic Regatta in the South of France.

In a great result for Cork Harbour classic boat enthusiasts, Royal Cork member Terry Birles and his yacht Erin took fifth in their class in St. Tropez too.

Royal Cork member Terry Birles (left) with a half model of his yacht Erin and RCYC Admiral Colin Morehead Photo: Bob Bateman

During the club talk, Birles presented a half model of the classic yacht Erin for display at the Crosshaven clubhouse.

Details of Cork Week's Classic Division are to be announced at the Paris Boat Show on 4th December.

Jap, built in Carrigaloe in 1897 and fully restored and sailing again (pictured here in Cork Harbour) as part of RCYC's 300th celebrations, took an unassailable lead in her class at the important classic regatta in October. Olympic helmsman Cudmore was on the tiller of the oldest and the smallest yacht at the classic yacht Centenary Trophy fleet in St. Tropez. Photo: Mary Malone

Proof of the continuing resurgence of the 1720 sportsboat class was evident in Crosshaven in Cork Harbour at the weekend with the arrival - and naming of - another addition to the Royal Cork fleet.  

Given the number at the "Europeans Championships" in Dunmore East in September, where numbers were just under 30 boats, the 2022 season already looks sure to be a highlight of July's Cork Week Regatta when the club's design will take centre stage. 

It's obvious there's been some TLC that went into this lovely new addition, her silver-grey topsides looking every inch the perfect finish!

1720 'Breaking Bad' - silver grey topsides

As to the identity of the skipper of Breaking Bad, there's no confirmation from Crosshaven yet, but insiders say a Laser National Champion may take the helm.

Monkstown Bay Sailing Club's dinghy racing ended for the season on Saturday, with the conclusion of the October League in Cork Harbour which had extended into November to finish a series of eight races.

Laser sailor Ronan Kenneally was the Class One winner with a total of 12 points.

Club Commodore Sandy Rimmington and crew Alex Barry sailing an RS400 finished in second place on 17 points. Richard Harrington, sailing another Laser, was third on 20 points. Feva XLs dominated Class Two of the league. Robyn and Hazel Barry being the winners on 8 points. Amy and David Doherty were second on 10 points and Isabelle McCarthy, with Bella Clarke Waterman, third on 12.

The club is pleased with the support for dinghy racing throughout the season where, in the combined overall results for Class One June/July/August/October, Ronan Kenneally has come out the top sailor, having won the August and October Leagues.

Judy Moynihan and Therese Loesberg in a Laser Two finished second overall and Emmet O'Sullivan in an RS Aero 7 was third. In Class Two racing for the months of June/July/August/September the Feva XLs were definitely the dominant boats overall.

Tony Geraghty and Tara Kennedy finished top overall, winning the Class leagues in June/July and August. Lucy O'Connell and Kate O'Connor finished in second place overall. Ann and David Doherty were third. All sailed Feva XLs.

Grab your antlers, lace up those hooves – help save lives at sea by getting on your running shoes for the RNLI's Reindeer Run at Fota House and Gardens in Cork Harbour.

The RNLI is calling on the people of Cork to do their bit and join the RNLI's 5K Reindeer Run at Fota House and Gardens at 11 am on Sunday, 5 December to help raise vital funds to support volunteer crews in their mission to save every one.

RNLI volunteer lifeboat crews across Ireland launched 945 times last year, coming to the aid of 1,147 people, 13 of whom were lives saved. That was an average of three people aided each day - rescues which were only possible because of the donations made to the charity by supporters.

It is hoped hundreds of people will don a pair of antlers or festive attire and join mascot Rookie the Reindeer to raise funds for the charity. All those participating will receive a medal. Runners, who must register (see below), and buy tickets for the event in advance, are encouraged to raise sponsorship which will go towards saving lives on the water.

Every time an RNLI crew launches, they are determined to save everyone. But they can't do it without people like you. Raising money through the Reindeer Run is a fun and festive way to get active and be a lifesaver, because you'll be raising the vital funds that power the crew. It helps the RNLI recruit and train volunteers and could fund the kit they need to protect themselves. It helps ensure a lifeboat is ready when the call comes, and it helps deliver water safety advice far and wide.

Eolan Walsh, Ballycotton RNLI Coxswain says: 'The Reindeer Run is more important than ever this year. We always have to be ready in case the pagers go at Christmas, but it's a big boost to know the Reindeer runners have been giving their support at this busy time of year to help ensure we can launch.

'It can be hard on our family and friends if we disappear halfway through Christmas dinner, but the sea and the dangers it can bring never takes a holiday, so nor can we. Fundraising events are our own call for help, as we rely on the generosity of the public to fund our rescues and kit that helps keep the crews safe when they risk their lives for others.'

To register for the Reindeer Run at Fota House and Gardens or to set up your own virtual one, please visit rnli.org/reindeerireland

Malahide and Wexford Harbour duo of Jack McDowell and Henry Thompson continued their overall lead of the 420 class at the Investwise Youth Sailing National Championships at Cork Harbour.

Counting four race wins on the opening day of the championships, the pair ended the ten races five points clear of Eoghan Duffy and Conor Paul of Lough Ree. Lying third is Malahide's Imogen Hauer and Hugo Micka.

420: Sailed: 10, Discards: 1, To count: 9, Entries: 9

Racing is scheduled for Sunday, but a forecast for strong winds looks set to cut the championships short.

Update Sunday 09.24: Due to current wind conditions and forecast, the race committee has decided to cancel sailing for the day. Prizegiving at 10 am in the marquee

420 Day Three Youth Nationals Photo Gallery By Bob Bateman 

Royal Cork's Jonathan O'Shaughnessy and Michael Crosbie, who put in a strong showing at the Laser Europa Cup in Hyeres, France, are the favourites for youth honours this Thursday in Cork Harbour.

O'Shaughnessy finished just outside the important top ten in 11th and Crosbie 21st in a tense edition of the Under-18 test.

More than 260 sailors participated in the French regatta, and full results are here.

Radial racing in Cork Harbour Photo: Bob Bateman

It's a result that confirms O'Shaughnessy, who took the Radial National title in August, and Crosbie, who was the winner of the Kinsale Laser end of Season Regatta in October, as favourites for the Investwise Youth Sailing Nationals at Royal Cork later this week. 

Rocco Wright (Howth YC) Photo: Bob Bateman

It'll be a new look Radial fleet in Cork with some new names into the fleet, including Rocco Wright (Howth YC), who dominated the 4.7 National Championships back in August.

Michael Crosbie Photo: Bob Bateman

New names into 4.7s

As well as some high profile departures from the ILCA4 (Laser 4.7s), there's also some new entries into the class.

Sienna Wright (Howth YC) and Hannah Dadley-Young (Ballyholme YC) are now racing 4.7s along with Daniel Palmer (Ballyholme YC), who's moved in from the Topper class, along with Mauro G Regueral Noguerol (RCYC).

Four-course areas will operate in Cork Habour Aghada, Curlane Bank, Cuskinny and Roches Point with an 11-race schedule for the ILCA 6/Laser class.

Racing begins on Thursday, October 28th, and as well as deciding national honours, the event serves as the second part of a qualifications system to determine Ireland's representative at the Youth World Sailing Championships in Oman this December.

Monkstown Bay Sailing Club is based in the inner part of Cork Harbour and is buzzing with the start of its October League and, says Club Commodore, Sandy Rimmington, a revival of the 5O5 fleet and a plan to expand the teaching of sailing through schools.

A 5O5 owner himself, he puts the revival of interest in the fleet to focus on holding the 5O5 World Championships in Cork next year. For the fourth time, they will be held at the RCYC in Crosshaven around the harbour from Monkstown, from August 3-13.

“This has led to the rejuvenation of the 5O5 fleet, which had always been strong in Monkstown,” the MBSC Commodore says.

Alex Barry (right) helming a 505 at RCYC's 'At Home' Regatta Photo: Bob Bateman

Support for dinghy racing is strong, with the club having successfully staged the Munster Optimists Championships at the start of the month and being assigned the Southern Feva Championships for April next year and, in the week before the 5O5 Worlds next August, Monkstown will host the Irish Championships for the class.

The Munster Optimists Championships were staged by MBSC Photo: Bob Bateman

The club’s committee is putting together a busy programme for next season.

“We are planning to push dinghy sailing even more next year especially Laser, RS dinghies, the 5O5s and the Oppies, with Laser Frostbites in February when we hope for up to 20 boats taking part, the RS Southerns for Feva/200s/400s in April, Prep for 5O5 Worlds Winter Sprint Series. We are trying to make sailing accessible to all by working with schools that may not get the opportunity to use the water and teach teenagers how to sail. We are currently fundraising to buy more boats for this. The Optimists event was a massive success and will allow us to build interest in sailing and take on more events.”

"The club bought a 1720 which has been used for adult training"

The club bought a 1720 sportsboat which has been used for adult training, and purchased two new rescue boats. “This allows us to increase the numbers we can train.”

Consideration is being given to putting the 1720 into its first competitive event next season, possibly at Cork Week at the RCYC.

The Commodore leads the club’s October Saturday morning dinghy league in Class One, sailing an RS 400, crewed by Alex Barry. In second place is Richard Harrington in a Laser and third Ronan Kenneally, also in a Laser.

Three RS Feva XLs are the leading boats in Class Two. Robyn Barry, crewed by Hazel Barry, are the leaders; 2nd Amy and David Doherty and third Isabelle McCarthy, crewed by Bella Clarke Waterman.

Monkstown Bay club dinghies are based on the Sand Quay in the middle of the village, and it was there I talked to Commodore Sandy Rimmington, my guest on this week’s podcast, which you can listen to here.

Four boats, including a Port of Cork RIB, a kayak and the local RNLI, were involved in Tuesday morning's dolphin rescue in Crosshaven in Cork Harbour that eventually saw two small dolphins escorted safely back to sea.

The dolphins were accompanied out of the shallow water in the Crosshaven Harbour, four or five times, as the tide was going out, making it a race against time to have the mammals out at sea before the water ran out.

RNLI spokesperson Jon Mathers said the dolphins were herded out of the Harbour a number of times before eventually managing to direct the dolphins out past Currabinny.

"The boats formed a line that stopped the dolphins coming back in. Then as the tide was going out, the boats had to turn back, but the two boats drove them out a bit further and the dolphins are safe, for now."

The ECHO has more on this here

The dolphins are encouraged out into deeper water in Cork Harbour