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

Fourteen-year-old William Walsh of the National Yacht Club at Dun Laoghaire won the 35-boat Senior fleet after six races sailed at the Optimist Munster Championships in Cork Harbour.

Walsh won by nine points from Howth Yacht Club's Des Turvey. Third was Royal Cork Yacht Club's Oisin Pierse.

Royal St. George helmswoman Abigail Murphy, aged 12, continued her overnight lead to win from Malahide Yacht Club's Conor Cronin in the 49 boat Junior fleet. Third was Howth Yacht Club's, Sarah Scott.

After six races sailed in the Regatta fleet, the National Yacht Club's Basile Dion (10) won from Royal Cork Yacht Club's Abigail O'Sullivan. Third was Howth Yacht Club's Kate Spain.

The youth sailing championships utilised the new purpose-built public slipway facilities provided by Port of Cork at Paddy's Point in Ringaskiddy. They raced under the burgee of Monkstown Bay Sailing Club.

The Senior and Junior fleet sailed five races on the Harbour's Curlane Bank under race officer Anthony O'Leary.

The Junior fleet raced on the Oyster Bank, conveniently located close to the Paddy's Point slipway on Saturday but did not race on Sunday due to weather.

The full results are here. 

Optimist Munster Championship Day 2 at Paddy's Point Photo Gallery 

National Yacht Club (NYC) junior sailors lead two of three Optimist dinghy divisions in a 119 boat fleet racing for Munster Championship honours at Monkstown Bay Sailing Club in Cork Harbour.

The youth sailing championships are utilising the new purpose-built public slipway facilities provided by Port of Cork at Paddy's Point in Ringaskiddy under the burgee of MBSC.

The Senior and Junior fleet sailed three races on the Harbour's Curlane Bank under race officer Anthony O'Leary.

The Junior fleet raced on the Oyster Bank, conveniently located close to the Paddy's Point slipway.

Fourteen-year-old William Walsh of the NYC leads the 35-boat Senior fleet after three races sailed from Royal St. George Yacht Club's Patrick Foley. Third is Royal Cork Yacht Club's, Joseph O'Leary.

Royal St. George helmswoman Abigail Murphy, aged 12, leads from Malahide Yacht Club's Conor Cronin in the 49 boat Junior fleet. Third is Kinsale's Ãrigo Rama­rez Fernandez.

After six races sailed in the Regatta fleet, the National Yacht Club's Basile Dion (10) leads Royal Cork Yacht Club Abigail O'Sullivan.  Third is Howth Yacht Club's Kate Spain.

Full results are here. 

Optimist Munster Championship at Paddy's Point Photo Gallery 

Kieran Collins Coracle IV of the host club leads the IRC Spinnaker 0/1 Division after the first race of Royal Cork Yacht Club's AIB Autumn League in Cork Harbour.

The Olson 30 made the most of the big seas and strong winds to take the first gun ahead of Brian Jones' J/109 Jelly Baby.

Third in the combined Zero and One eight boat fleet was the Grand Soleil 40, Nieulargo (Denis and Annamarie Murphy).

Fiona Young's Albin Express North Star tops an eight boat IRC 2 Spinnaker division. Dave Lane's J24 lies second with Sean Hanley's HB 31 Luas lying third.

Royal Cork's club J/24 Jumbalaya surfs a wave in the first race of the Autumn League

Royal Cork's Autumn League Race One Photo Gallery By Bob Bateman

Full results across all divisions are here