Cowes based international yachtsman, Peter Morton has won the Keanes Jewellers Quarter Ton Perpetual Trophy at Kinsale Yacht Clubs biennial Sovereigns Cup Regatta. The four day series involved eight races, on principally windward leeward courses under the Old head of Kinsale. Wind conditions varied over the four days racing from 8 to 22 kts making for exciting racing. Kinsale puts its best foot forward for the 18 strong class with beautiful cloudless skies and high temperatures making for idyllic sailing conditions.
These beautiful little boats came in many shapes and sizes from the
unique one off “Odd Job” who won the Harken ® PrixD’Eligence to the
fully IRC optimised and refurbished Anchor challenge who won the
overall trophy. The fleet travelled from all over Ireland and the
South coast of the UK making the class one of the closely observed at
this 11 class event. This will no doubt increase interest in this
already vibrant class locally
. The opening day saw the fleet on a windward leeward course racing in
16-18 kts in a steep seaway under the direction of Donal McClement. The
cowes based “one offs” established their dominance from early on with
Class secretary’s Louise Mortons Espada, Rob Grays Aguila and Peter
Mortons Anchor Challenge swapping podium places. The standard of finish
and presentation of these boats is a credit to their owners.
Thursday saw the class complete a coastal race with race officer Alan
Crosby sending the 18-strong fleet on an eight mile beat to the
appropriately named Daunt Rock buoy, close to the mouth of Cork
Harbour. The 18-22 kts easterly made for a very lumpy sea as the fleet
short tacked along the shore trying to get tidal relief in the strong
Westerly flowing spring ebb tide. The initially daunting beat along the
coast was all worthwhile as the fleet turned the weather mark and
experienced an exhilarating run in ideal planning conditions 9 miles
West to Sandycove Island at the mouth of Kinsale Harbour.
Friday and Saturdays racing were much more sedate affairs with windward
leeward racing in 8-10 kts. Yet again the top three English boats came
to the fore, proving they are not mere one trick ponies. Irish boats
doing well were Ian Travers’ Bandit, who won the Ron Holland Design
sponsored prize for the lowest overall points scoring production boat
prize, Ken Lawless’s Supernova, the Holland/O Brien/Kenefick
partnership on Manzanita and Kieran Collins on the beautiful
Tamborine.
At the prize-giving overall winner Peter Morton thanked Kinsale
Yacht club for running a wonderful event in a fabulous location and
indicated his intention to return in June 2011. Regatta Director Tony
Kingston praised the visiting Quarter tonners for their commitment
travelling to the event and paid particular reference to the Quarter
ton class secretary, Cowes based Louise Morton for her energy and
enthusiasm in this regard and looked forward to their return. In
appreciation for her efforts, Robert and Clair Bateman, both former
Quarter Ton sailors very generously presented Louise with a framed
picture of Espada from day ones racing.
Kinsale Yacht club would like to thank all sponsors who supported the Quarter Ton class at Sovereigns Cup, in particular Keanes Jewellers Cork, Pig Bags, Harken, One Sails, North Sails Ireland, The Old Head Golf Club, and DOSCO the brush people. The 2011 edition of Sovereigns’ Cup is scheduled to run from 22nd to 25th June. See you there!
