#juniorallireland – Former Optimist star Seáfra Guilfolyle sailing with Richard McGinley from Royal Cork Yacht Club outwitted two Irish world sailing champions today to be crowned the 2013 Junior All Ireland Sailing Championship after a close nine race regatta at Schull Harbour in West Cork. Full results downloadable below as a jpeg file.

Going in to the medal race Guilfoyle was tied on points at the top of the leader board with Finn Lynch, who only two weeks ago won the U21 Laser Radial World Championships. But a fourth for Seáfra in the medal race was enough to put him two points clear of Finn to claim the prestigious title. 

The championship got under way at the Fastnet Marine OEC in Schull, Co. Cork yesterday (Saturday) where the initial five scheduled races were successfully sailed and concluded today with three further fleets races followed by a double points medal race for the top 10 boats. 23 of Ireland’s top young sailors take to the water in locally built TR3.6 dinghies.

Racing began this morning in light to moderate winds in Schull Harbour. Finn and his crew Florence Lyden had been the overnight leaders but dropped back to third after the first race while Darragh O’Sullivan, and his teammate Anna O’Regan took the lead with Seáfra and Richard McGinley in the silver medal position. Only three points separated the three sailors and with two more fleet races and a double points medal race yet to be sailed, every move and tactical decision would be critical. 

Proving just how tight the competition was, it was Seáfra won took pole position with a bullet in Race 7 knocking Darragh back to third place while Finn moved up to take second overall. And the battle continued during Race 8 when a win for Finn meant both he and Seáfra were tied on 21 points with only the medal race left as the decider. 

Competitors at the ISA All Ireland Junior Sailing Championships in Schull Photo: Michael Mac Sweeney/Provision

Both Seáfra and Finn got off to a tricky start in the medal race. They, along with Darragh, were towards the back putting them in the difficult position of having to climb up the fleet. But with a wealth of skills and international experience the talented sailors worked the conditions improving their positions. At the end, Seáfra couldn’t quite reach the top three but a fourth place finish was enough to beat Finn’s fifth giving him the Gold with a two point lead. 

Commenting on his win Seáfra enthused “The medal race was really nerve-wracking especially having Finn so close to me the whole time but I’m really happy with how I sailed. I’m delighted with the outcome and I’m looking forward to getting to compete at the Senior All Irelands next month in Howth”. 

#nyyc– Anthony O'Leary was aiming to make it third time lucky at the New York Invitational Cup yesterday but although an overall win eluded him and his 12 man crew, the skipper of the Royal Cork entry did post his best result so far, a fourth overall writes Louay Habib. The Irish national cruiser champion had previously finished fifth and eighth in the first two editions of this corinthian event. Final results downloadable below as a pdf document.

Twenty yacht clubs from 13 different countries enjoyed some sensational racing at the 2013 Invitational Cup presented by Rolex. However, on the final day of the regatta, the lack of wind frustrated the competitors and race officers alike. The race committee tried every trick in the book to get some racing in and initially they succeeded by taking the fleet offshore, where 10 knots of breeze filled in from the South at around 1400 local time for Race 11.

Larchmont YC (at right) knew before that start that this would be the only race of the day and the team from New York wasted no time in harassing the regatta leader, Royal Canadian Yacht Club. In the pre-start the two yachts were prowling around each other in an attempt to force a penalty. At the start, Larchmont YC managed to get over the top of Royal Canadian Yacht Club, forcing them to the unfavored right side of the course and for a time, Larchmont YC looked like they might be able to put enough boats in between them and the Canadian team to win the regatta. However, at the top mark, two yachts were penalized and Royal Canadian YC made up a few places there before capitalizing on free air to make even more gains on the run. By the bottom mark, Royal Canadia YC was ahead of Larchmont YC on the water.

As quickly as the breeze had materialized, it vanished, and the race was abandoned, much to the frustration of Royal Hong Kong YC, which was way out in front.

Tonight, the New York Yacht Club will host the Awards Ceremony for the 2013 Invitational Cup presented by Rolex and the Royal Canadian Yacht Club will be awarded the Invitational Cup trophy for the second consecutive time. Larchmont Yacht Club finished second with Royal Thames in third, the highest finish ever for a European club.

#corkweek – Royal Cork Yacht Club's Rear Admiral John Roche is to Chair Cork Week 2014, scheduled to run from July 5th to 11th next year.

#nyyc – The Royal Cork Yacht Club, skippered by Anthony O'Leary have yet to score a better result than fifth at New York's Yacht Club's (NYYC) Invitational Cup but their consistency has propelled the Irish team into second place. Anthony is sailing with two of his sons, Nicholas and Robert.

It was a long hard day on the water for the 20 Yacht Clubs competing for the Cup. The start was delayed by several hours waiting for the breeze to fill but when it came, three spectacular races were completed with some of the best racing imaginable. The 200 competing didn't reach the dock until after 5 p.m. and the NYYC apres sailing hospitality was very much appreciated.

During the day, the wind speed ranged from just 5 knots to a feisty 18 knots and with bright sunshine bathing the racing area, between Gould Island and Prudence Island, the second day of racing at the NYYC Invitational Cup was a joy to behold. Mark roundings were not for the faint hearted, as a multitude of boats came barrelling in, often overlapped at virtually every corner.

Race 3 of the series belonged to the Australian team from the Prince Alfred Yacht Club, consolidating their 1-5 scoreline on the first day and putting pressure on the overnight leader, Larchmont (N.Y.) YC. However, Prince Alfred Yacht Club scorecard faltered in the last two races of the day, as costly errors pushed the team down to sixth overall.

Meanwhile Larchmont YC continued the charge taking another second place to consolidate their position at the top of the leader board. However in Race 4, Larchmont YC was shut out at a top mark in a ball of traffic and didn't recover, scoring 16th for the race. The Royal Yacht Squadron started the day strongly, taking third in Race 3 but fell away in the following two races. wrapping their spinnaker around their bow on the last bottom mark.

After five races, Larchmont YC still lead the regatta, but two teams are just a few points behind, one of these is Royal Cork.

The RCYC's Nicholas O'Leary is enjoying the experience of sailing a new boat design.

"We just concentrate on getting away clean from the line." said Nicholas O'Leary, the team's tactician. "We don't sail a Swan 42 at home, but the whole team races in one-design 1720s in Cork and that has been a real bonus, especially downwind, as we have a lot of experience with asymmetric kites. I have to say that we had a real battle on today. Fighting with the other boats in the pack behind the race leaders, is hard work, you have to scrap for every place."

The reigning NYYC Invitational Cup winners, Royal Canadian Yacht Club have moved up to third place having won two of today's races. " The day didn't start so well, we actually had a good start in Race 3 and then we tried to tack inside the New York Yacht Club and we didn't make it." said RCYC skipper, Terry McLaughlin. "I should have called to duck them and that was a mistake and we did our turns. However we got our act together in the last two races, as we know we can. We got the shift right in Race 4 and we won the favoured side in the last race, so the last race turned into an easy win, we had a big long debrief after today, as we like to sort out our problems. After the way we sailed yesterday, we feel very fortunate to be in third place. We will see how we go tomorrow, but this is a long series."

Spare a thought for the kind generosity of the Swan 42 owners who have kindly chartered their yachts for this regatta. Chuck Kenehan is the owner of Mahalo, which has been chartered to the Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club. "I was itching to get out there and race today." admitted Kenehan, whilst watching from a spectator boat. "That was just fantastic racing and I am so glad to see so many yacht clubs from overseas enjoying the wonderful sailing grounds that Newport has to offer." -- Louay Habib

Racing is scheduled to continue at 1100 local time tomorrow. Full detailed results.

Standings after 5 races:

1. Larchmont YC, USA, 25 points
2. Royal Cork YC, IRL, 31.3
3. Royal Canadian YC, CAN, 32
4. Japan Sailing Federation, JPN, 35
5. New York Yacht Club, USA, 36
6. Royal Prince Alfred YC, AUS, 36
7. Royal Thames YC, GBR, 40
8. The San Francisco YC, USA, 45
9. Royal Southern YC, GBR, 47
10. Royal Freshwater YC, AUS, 50
11. Royal Yacht Squadron, GBR, 51
12. Seattle Yacht Club, USA, 54
13. Royal Belgian Sailing Club, BEL, 56
14. Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, AUS, 59
15. Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club, HKG, 61
16. Yacht Club Italiano, ITA, 62
17. YC Argentino, ARG, 70
18. Real Club Nautico de Barcelona, ESP, 79
19. Royal Swedish YC, SWE, 88
20. Nylandska Jaktklubben, FIN, 88.8

#opti – In a show of strength for Royal Cork Yacht Club youth sailing, the Munster club took the top three places in the Optimist Leinster Championships senior fleet and also won the junior fleet at this weekend's Leinster Championships at Howth Yacht Club.

Bitterly cold conditions, a confused sea, wind gusts of over 20 knots, and a rip-roaring tide made the young sailors value their warm sailing clothing at Howth Yacht Club.

With an attendance of 138 sailors it was certainly going to be some event and so it proved. There were 43 sailors in the Senior fleet, 55 in the Junior fleet and 40 in the Regatta fleet.

Excellent if difficult conditions prevailed yesterday. Wind on both days was westerly with a touch of North. Sailing yesterday started later than today with the result the fleets experienced an ebb tide in quite a long race. Today sailing was started earlier to give the sailors better racing with races somewhat shorter and the fleets sailed with a flood tide so all round excellent sailing conditions were experienced to test the sailors. Winds yesterday (Sat) were much stronger medium to fresh 15/16 knots with stronger gusts.

Conditions to day were somewhat lighter with 5/6knots of breeze and there were two black flag starts. Conditions yesterday were reported as being extremely cold with much warmer conditions today. Reports back from the sailors pronounced the racing as excellent with great sailing and all credit due to the race officials.

In the Senior Fleet the winner was Harry Durcan, RCYC, current National Champion, second James McCann RCYC and third Johnny Durcan, RCYC.

In the Junior fleet the winner was Chris Bateman, RCYC, followed by James McMahon HYC and Ella Hemeryck, NYC.

The Regatta fleet was won by Conor Gorman, NYC, followed by Hugh O'Connor, NYC with Ruth Lacy, HYC third.

#rcyc – Royal Cork Yacht Club's CH Marine sponsored Autumn Regatta will take place over five weeks, beginning on Sunday September 29th and finishing on Saturday October 26th. The prizegiving will take place after dinner on the final Saturday evening.

The entry fee for the five weekends of racing is €75, the same as last year.

#420 – Two races sailed outside Roches Point in light winds saw a conclusion after nine races and one discard to the 2013 420 dinghy National Championships at Royal Cork Yacht Club this evening. Results available to download below.

The wind died completely at the end of the last race as brothers Harry and David Whitaker (RCYC) took first place overall, with Robert Dickson and Sean Waddilove (HYC and SSC) second and Ewan McMahon and Colin O'Sullivan (HYC / MYC) third. 16 boats competed.

Dickson and Waddilove, ISAF Youth Worlds reps in Cyprus, put up the main challenge and had more first places than the Whitakers but had to settle for second overall to the ever consistent brothers.

Lizzy and Cara McDowell (MYC) were first girls in 6th place overall. Second girls were Cliodhna no Shuilleabhain and Jil McGinley (KYC /RCYC) with Kate and Alanna Lyttle (RSGYC) in third place

For many of the leading sailors this event set them up nicely for their next challenge as no sooner were the boats back in the dinghy park on Sunday than they were being loaded onto a big trailer and off to Pwllheli in North Wales for the 420 Junior Europeans which start later this week. 

#420– Royal Cork Yacht Club hosts the 2013 Volvo 420 National Championships from the 9th to the 11th of August with three races being planned on each day off Roches Point, Cork Harbour. The nationals follows some intense international activity in Valencia, Spain where Howth pair Robert Dickson and Sean Waddilove were top Irish, and third U16 crew.

Preceding the Cork Harbour championships, former Olympic 470 crew man and 420 coach Ross Killian from the National Yacht Club will take a coaching session on 7th and 8th August with a total of three coaches on the water. The cost for the session is €100 per boat with food being provided on the Wednesday night.

Last year, the nationals were won in impressive style by the young Royal Cork YC pairing of Patrick Crosbie and Grattan Roberts who took the gun in five of the 9 races and never placed lower than 3rd.

#marinas – The Royal Cork Yacht Club marina in Crosshaven in Cork Harbour is the only new marina in Ireland that has attained Blue Flag status in 2013 and is one of only three new Blue Flags awarded this year. The news of the new eco award for Cork was previously reported on Afloat.ie here.

Steeped in history, the Royal Cork Yacht Club in Crosshaven, Co. Cork, prides itself on being the oldest Yacht Club in the world and the award of Blue Flag status comes after last year's award of 5 Gold Anchor Marina status as well as an ICOMIA Clean Marina Award – an internationally recognised sure sign of a quality marina. ICOMIA is the International Council of Marine Industry Associations and represents the recreational boating industry worldwide.

There are now four Blue Flag Marinas in the country, the other three have had the award for the last few years and they are Kilmore Quay in Wexford, the Three Sisters Marina in New Ross and Killinure Point Marina in Westmeath.

The Royal Cork Yacht Club was the only new marina in Ireland that has attained Blue Flag status in 2013 and there was huge emphasis during the presentations on how difficult is for a marina to attain Blue Flag status.

Gavin Deane, General Manager, Royal Cork Yacht Club said: "This is another terrific achievement for the Club. Mark Ring, the Marina & Racing Coordinator at the Royal Cork led the project and put months of work into achieving Blue Flag status so it's great to see that work paying off. We can now call ourselves the oldest and cleanest yacht club in the world!"

The awards comes as planning begins for Cork Week 2014 Ireland's most prestigious yachting regatta, which takes place at the club in Crosshaven in July next year.

Royal Cork Yacht Club Marina is a private yacht club marina with visitor berths located in the fishing village of Crosshaven, one of three marinas in this Cork harbour location. With 100 berths overall and accessible at all stage of the tide this marina was one of the first of such facilities in the country, pioneered by members of the Royal Cork Yacht Club.

The marina offers Petrol & Diesel and all other services available locally.