Following Saturday's (September 20th) bumper turnout for the Naval Race in Cork Harbour, the final event of the three-fixture inaugural Triple Crown Series, there was plenty to celebrate in the Officers' Mess at the Haulbowline Naval base.
Competitors gather in the Officers' Mess at the Haulbowline Naval base following the Naval Race for the presentation of inaugural Triple Crown Series prizes Photo: Bob Bateman
The IRC divisions opened the Royal Cork Yacht Club and Cove Sailing Club co-hosted event with strong racing across four fleets.
In IRC0, Murphy Family’s Grand Soleil 40 Nieulargo scored 2,1,1 for four points to top the table. G. Radley’s Ron Burgundy 36 IMP followed on five, with Tim McCarthy and Wan Waterman’s J/111 Joyride third on 13. Denis Ellis’ Corby 33 I-Zimbra and Paul & Deirdre Tingle’s X4³ Alpaca filled the top five.
Murphy's Nieulargo powers to victory in IRC0 at the Triple Crown 2025 in the packed Cove Sailing Club and Royal Cork Yacht Club Regatta Series Photo: Bob Bateman
Tim McCarthy and Wan Waterman’s J/111 Joyride fights off Paul & Deirdre Tingle’s X4³ Alpaca during the early stages of the Cork to Blackrock Race Photo: Bob Bateman
Pat Tanner’s Castro ¾ Tonner Bateleur88 led IRC1 on three points from two wins. Dónal Keane’s J/92S Ejine was next with seven, while Ria Lyden’s X-332 Ellida placed third on eight. James Donegan’s J/109 Jalapeno finished fourth.
Pat Tanner’s Castro ¾ Tonner Bateleur88 in action in the inaugural Cork Harbour Triple Crown Photo: Bob Bateman
Michael McCann’s Etchells 22 Don’t Dilly Dally swept IRC2 with three straight wins. Sean Hanley’s HB31 Luas placed second on seven, ahead of Gary O’Neill’s Sigma 33 Muskateer (10) and Diarmuid Good’s Laser 28 Summer Light (12).
Mark Mansfield’s H-Boat Humdinger Photo: Bob Bateman
In IRC3, Mark Mansfield’s H-Boat Humdinger topped the standings on five points. Fiona and Jack Young’s Albin Express North Star followed with six. Gary Mills’ Shipman 28 Tonga took third on 10, with Peter O’Leary’s Star Archie fourth on 11.
Eric Lisson’s Sadler Holly Blue led the IRC White Sail fleet overall Photo: Bob Bateman
Among the White Sail fleets, Eric Lisson’s Sadler Holly Blue led the IRC overall with seven points from 1,2,4. Ian Hickey’s Granada 38 Cavatina was close behind on eight, while Ronan Twomey’s First 40.7 Rosmarina scored nine. Andy Jenkins’ S&S 34 Morning After and Noel & Alan Coleman’s Oyster 37 Blue Oyster rounded out the group.
Ronan Twomey’s First 40.7 Rosmarina
Echo fleets also produced tight finishes. G. Radley’s IMP won Echo 0 on four points. Bateleur88 took Echo 1 with three, and Don’t Dilly Dally led Echo 2 on four.
Rob Foster’s Oceanis 31 Clodagh
Whitesail Echo 3 went to Rob Foster’s Oceanis 31 Clodagh, winning with results 1,1,3 for five points. Tom O’Mahony’s Hanse 311 Loch Greine was second on seven, with Michael Rider’s Dehler 37 Freya, Maurice Kidney & Gerry Holland’s Shipman 28 Barossa and Conor Hanlon’s Sun Odyssey Lapwing completing the first five.
