After a difficult two years when sailing activities were restricted by the Covid pandemic, the Commodore of Kinsale Yacht Club on the southern coastline of County Cork, Matthias Hellstern, says the ”main focus this year is club racing and getting the whole club side of things moving again.”
“We have a number of projects underway, refurbishing and upgrading the older part of the club premises is one, the Under 25 programme is another.”
The launching of the KYC’s J/24 Kinsailor Photo: Bob Bateman
Last week was marked with the launching of the club’s J/24 Kinsailor, intended to bridge the gap that has affected sailing when younger sailors leave dinghies. “We are dealing with that problem. The members of Kinsale are very conscious that young sailors are the future of the club.”
Squib racing in Kinsale Harbour Photo: Bob Bateman
The current dinghies Frostbite series, in which he is sailing himself on a Squib, has got the season started. This month cruisers begin racing. Their March League for the Frank Godsell Cup, first presented back in 1982, will start on Sunday of next week, March 13. There will be further races on March 20 and 27, for spinnaker and white sails classes. That will be followed by the Spring Series, starting on Sunday, April 3.
Topper dinghy racing at Kinsale Photo: Bob Bateman
The big event at the club this season will be the Squibs Nationals, incorporating both the Irish and UK Championships. Cancelled due to Covid in 2020, “it’s exciting to have an international event back at the club again,” Commodore Hellstern tells me on this week’s Podcast. We also discuss the club’s new race around the Blaskets this year and the Dragon Gold Cup. He is also a Dragon sailor.
