Dragons To Race in the Sovereign's Cup For The First Time at Kinsale

27th February 2019

From June 26-29 Dragons will sail at the Sovereigns Cup Credit: Bob Bateman

For the first time, Dragons will sail in the Sovereigns Cup at Kinsale this June, even though they have been part of the club for over 20 years.

“Yes, it’s surprising that they haven’t been in it before, but they are this time and it is great that they are participating,” Kinsale Yacht Club Commodore Dave O’Sullivan told me at the launch of the Cup programme where Regatta Director, Bobby Nash, said that 53 boats had already entered, including two from the UK and one from the Netherlands.

"From June 26-29 Dragons will sail at the Sovereigns Cup"

Dragons are a major section of the club even though I learned at the launch that they could trace their history back to Cork Harbour, something I hadn’t known. There are no boats of the class in that harbour now. From June 26-29 they will sail with the 1720s, who will be holding their European Championships in conjunction with the Sovereigns regatta, on courses set specially for the one-designs.

Kinsale Yacht Club is partnering with the Old Head of Kinsale Golf Club which is sponsoring a mark under the Old Head for the regatta.

Dragon racing at Kinsale Photo: Bob Bateman

“Community involvement is very important to us,” KYC Commodore Dave O’Sullivan said. “That makes a great atmosphere in the town during the regatta.”

The O’Leary Life-sponsored Sovereigns Cup will be sailed from June 26-29.

• Listen to the Podcast below where Regatta Director, Bobby Nash and Commodore, Dave O’Sullivan outline the schedule and discuss the racing arrangements.

Published in Tom MacSweeney, Sovereign's Cup

Published in Tom MacSweeney

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Sovereign's Cup

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Tom MacSweeney

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Tom MacSweeney writes a column for Afloat.ie. He is former RTE Marine Correspondent/Presenter of Seascapes and now has a monthly Podcast on the Community Radio Network and Podcast services

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