Hi everyone,
I am just coming up for air after a fantastic Sovereign's Cup at Kinsale Yacht Club. KYC always puts on a fabulous show, and certainly, on the first two days, the weather didn't disappoint!
Well done to Regatta Director Anthony Scannel and your great team, and roll on 2025!
This year (I think it was my 6th or 7th "Sovs"), I was racing on John Treanor's brand new J112e "ValenTina" in the highly competitive 18-boat "Coastal" class. We were thrilled to come away with a hard-fought 2nd overall in an event that really did suit longer, bigger boats.........we "threw everything up" - mainsail, J1.5, J3, A2, A3, A4 and Code 0!
We had a fantastic crew ranging from 17 years old to perhaps just nudging the more "experienced" side of the seventh decade! Here is a video of all of us working together in gybing back in the harbour
Above: On board "Valentina" getting some gybing practice in! Video: Maurice O'Connell / North Sails Ireland
My colleague Shane Hughes was racing in the even more competitive 24-boat 1720 class and finished 2nd overall with my Round Ireland 2022 shipmate Julian Hughes' in "Root 1".
By all accounts, "Root 1" was FAST and turbocharged by the latest North Sails "T7" AirX 650N kite. They will be rueing a costly OCS - next time, guys!
1720 "Root 1" flying her North Sails 3Di RAW "MNi-1" main and "APG-1" jib - Photo: Robert Bateman
In IRC 3, my erstwhile "Jump Juice" skipper Conor Phelan continued his winning ways in "Anchor Challenge". I snapped this quick pic before racing on Thursday - note outboard! "AC" is still flying using her 2017 North Sails inventory and continues to show unstoppable form after also winning the KYC Spring Series earlier this year, as reported in Afloat. Brilliant stuff, guys and well done, too, to tactician Colm "CollyBA" Dunne, who's been racing with Conor since at least 2010!
Conor Phelan continued his winning ways in "Anchor Challenge" at the Sovereign's Cup Photo: Maurice O'Connell/North Sails
In IRC 2, Dave Dwyer, with his son Jameseeee driving the legendary "Swuzzlebubble", dominated the class, recording a string of bullets. What more can we say - hon, the Dwyers!
"Swuzzlebubble" flying her new North Sails 3Di RAW mainsail and 3Di RAW Code 1 jib - Photo: Robert Bateman
In the IRC Coastal class, my good friend Dave Cullen with co-skipper/owner Nigel Biggs, won by miles, powered by their 100% North Sails inventory.......Dave says he's getting old - but I don't believe him.
"Checkmate" extending her lead in the IRC Coastal class flying her new, bigger North Sails A-GRADE Superkote A2 and her NPL (North Panelled Laminate) mainsail - Photo: Robert Bateman
In IRC 1, John Maybury and his great team on "Joker II" battled to a hard-fought victory in IRC 1, pipping the 2021 champions "Snapshot" by two points."Joker II" is still using her 2017 North Sails 3DL mainsail and is still rocketship FAST. Tactician "Darry Hurcan" will be aboard again for Volvo Dun Laoghaire Week - watch out, IRC 1!
"Joker II" flying her North Sails 3Di Mainsail and A-Grade Superkote A2 just after a light airs kite hoist - Photo: Robert Bateman
In the White Sails fleet, Alan Mulcahy's "Apache", powered by North Sails, took the spoils from multiple Paralympian John "Tomb Raider" Twomey, racing with daughter Marielle on "Shillelagh".
Alan Mulcahy's "Apache" team winning White Sails 2 flying their North Sails mainsail and AP jib - Photo: Robert Bateman
Well done to all the competitors, organisers and volunteers in Kinsale.
Here are the North Sails-powered results:-
IRC 1
- Checkmate - First 50 - Dave Cullen & Nigel Biggs - North Sails
- ValenTina - Johnny & Tina Treanor - North Sails
- El Grand Senor - Jonathan Anderson - North Sails
IRC 1
- Joker II - John Maybury - North Sails
- Snapshot - Mike & Richie Evans - North Sails
- White Mischief - Timothy Goodbody - North Sails
IRC 2
- Swuzzlebubble - Dave and Jameseee Dwyer - North Sails
IRC 3
- Anchor Challenge - Conor Phelan - North Sails
- Snoopy - Martin Mahon & Joanne Hall - North Sails
White Sails 1
2. Magnet - Kieran O'Brien & Fiorentina Carroll - North Sails
3. Prince Of Tides - Frank Caul - North Sails
White Sails 2
- Apache - Alan Mulcahy - North Sails
- Shilelagh - John & Marielle Towmey - North Sails
1720 European Championships
2. Root 1 - Julian Hughes - North Sails
From your North Sails Ireland team of Nigel, Shane and your scribe - sail FAST.
Maurice O'Connell
