The 44-boat 1720 sports boat class had a stand-alone Cork Harbour Race on Wednesday as part of their European Championships being staged in conjunction with Volvo Cork Week Regatta.

The third day of Cork Week was blessed with sunshine and 8-10 knots of breeze from the north. 

Rope Dock Atara with Ross McDonald on the stick, representing Royal Cork YC & Howth YC, scored a solid race win, leading the race from start to finish.

The 44-boat 1720 sportsboat fleet reaching in their Cork Harbour race. Photo: Bob Bateman

Fionn Lyden’s Spiced Beef from Baltimore SC was second and Peter O’Leary’s Royal Cork team racing Ricochet was third.

Wednesday's 1720 Cork Week Harbour start Photo Rick Tomlinson

Racing at Volvo Cork Week continues tomorrow with the penultimate day of racing for the regatta. Five race areas, in and outside Cork Harbour, will be organised by the Royal Cork Yacht Club.

Just one race was completed on day two of Cork Week for the 44-strong 1720 Class European Championships.

Light and shifty winds added to the complexity on the water as Race Officer Ciaran McSweeney and his race management team were obliged to call two general recalls for over-eager 1720 teams before finally getting the fleet away with the Black Flag flying.

Aidan Lynch’s Baltimore Sailing Club team racing MO was the race winner. Second place was adjudged a tie with Kenny Rumball’s Royal Irish team on The Conor Wouldn't, crossing the line with Robert Dix’s Baltimore SC team racing Elder Lemon.

Rope Dock Atara helmed by Ross McDonald retains the lead for the 1720 European Championships. The Conor Wouldn't moves up to second and Padraig Byrne & Donny Wilson’s Zing is in third.

Current 1720 European champions Robbie English, Aoife & Ross McDonald from Royal Cork YC / Howth YC lead after the firsthree races sailed at Volvo Cork Week.

Despite the balmy air temperature, RCYC's own sportsboat class’s return was marked by dense fog on the windward-leeward course about a mile outside Cork Harbour.

The mist soon cleared, revealing 44 1720s going at it, guns and blazes.

44 1720s are racing at Volvo Cork Week Photo: Rick Tomlinson

There were three highly contested windward-leeward races between Roches Point and Ringabella Bay. An outstanding performance from Rope Dock Atara gives the team from Royal Cork and Howth a whopping 11-point lead after three races. Padraig Byrne & Donny Wilson’s Zing from the Royal Cork is second and Tom, Neil & Paul Hegarty’s efolioaccounts from Baltimore won the first race but finished in third at the end of Day one.

Ross McDonald, Robbie & Aoife English, and Killian Collins racing 1720 Rope Dock Atara. Photo: Rick Tomlinson

“We are delighted with a 2-1-1 today, “commented Rope Dock Atara’s helm Ross McDonald. “Our aim was to keep the race results in single digits, as I believe this will be a high-scoring regatta, so to get off to a flyer is fantastic. We got one good start, one okay, and also one that we had to get out of jail. In this fleet, especially in light air, it is all about getting the fresh air and the wheels on.”

efolioaccounts.com Tom, Neil and Paul Hegarty from Baltimore SC lies third overall Photo: Rick Tomlonson

1720 Top three after three races 

1st Rope Dock Atara Robbie English, Aoife & Ross McDonald Royal Cork YC / Howth YC
2nd 1720 ZING Padraig Byrne & Donny Wilson 1792 Royal Cork YC
3rd 1720 efolioaccounts.com Tom, Neil and Paul Hegarty 1724 Baltimore SC

Results here

When anybody asks how the concept of the Cork 1720 Sportsboat Class first came to see the light of day in Crosshaven in the early 1990s, the response these days tends to be “Which version of the story would you prefer?”. For in all, more than 160 of these Tony Castro-designed 26ft dayboats with bulb keel, retractable bowsprit and mighty gennakers were to be built, and at Cork Week 2000 their fleet mustered more than 60 boats.

Local names like Mansfield and O’Leary took on visitors like Ainslie, Barker and Spithill. It was undoubtedly a highlight of class history. Since then, the 1720s have waxed and waned as a class, but at the moment Class Captain David Love is happy to report that they’re definitely in full-on waxing mode in Ireland, with growing classes at Crosshaven, Dun Laoghaire, Kinsale, Baltimore, Dunmore East, and Howth, such that they’re looking to have 48 boats racing in the Europeans within Volvo Cork Week from 10th to 15th July.

MULTIPLE EXPLANATIONS FOR ORIGINS OF CLASS

Failure is an orphan but success has many fathers, and Class Captain Love is the very soul of diplomacy in not apportioning individual credit for the class’s beginnings thirty years ago, and its growing current success. Back in the day when they started racing, I was told that it was basically a group of National 18 sailors on Cork Harbour who wished to re-create the very special spirit of their wonderful centreboard class on a larger canvas, yet with a sit-on rather than hang-out keelboat.

But equally these days, they’ll tell you there was a very significant inspirational input from Half Ton and Quarter Ton sailors who wanted to transpose the best of their sport into a more straightforward value-for-money One-Design boat which carried no hint of a suggestion that racing nights at sea would be on the agenda.

The absolute simplicity of the concept continues to be one of the 1720’s best features

And now, with everyone from the Lollipop Lady to the Meter Reader telling us that global recession is on the way if it isn’t here already, the 1720s have the USP of offering incredibly good value. They’ve survived to become inexpensive. There’s virtually no wood in them, they’re of a generation of fibreglass which lasts for ever, and you can still find de-commissioned yet perfectly usable 1720s at the far end of somebody’s uncle’s hayshed if you only know how to ask the right questions.

FINDING PHILANTHROPIC SAILMAKERS

Admittedly the chance of finding a decent suit of sails with these rural relics is remote. But as we all know, Ireland’s sailmakers are a soft-hearted and incredibly philanthropic group of folk who will respond favourably to requests for substantial discounts when you use the magic password “1720”, with perhaps a Masonic handshake to be sure to be sure.

And finally, there’s the fact that, with a crew of five, they’re notably labour-intensive boats. Thus they provide a purpose in life for young people who might otherwise be listlessly loitering on street corners, their day jobs taken over by electronic instruments and machines. Indeed, it can only be a question of time before Social Security grants are available to anyone who can show that their 1720 provides healthy, mind-stimulating activity for at last ten hours a week for four young (and not-so-young) people who might otherwise be deflected into a wasted life of anti-social inactivity.

The big warm winds of the Caribbean provide ideal 1720 sailing 

Thus there’s a lot to celebrate in the fact that the 1720s will be providing fantastic sport for at least 240 people during Cork Week, and there’s even more to celebrate in this remarkable class’s survival and regeneration over thirty years. So although every night will be party night, on Tuesday 12th July in Crosshaven it’s going to reach stratospheric heights with the 1720 30th Anniversary party.

MEDALLISTS AT THE BOYNE

For those who don’t know, it’s called the 1720 Class simply because 1720 was the year of foundation of the Water Club of the Harbour of Cork, the direct antecedent of the Royal Cork Yacht Club. Now as it happens, on the 12th July in the other end of Ireland, some people will be celebrating an earlier contest, which took place in 1690. In that, the people from around Cork tended to be on the side which won the Silver Medal. The Silver Medal from the Battle of the Boyne is not something to be sniffed at. But nevertheless the 30th Anniversary of the Cork 1720 on 12th July 2022 at Crosshaven will be much more fun.

The 1720s are still as much fun to sail now as they were thirty years ago

Waterford Harbour Sailing Club took the top three places overall at the 1720 East Coast Championships at Dun Laoghaire Harbour on Sunday, with the Dunmore East's club's Julian Hughes taking the title by two points. 

The Royal Irish Yacht Club hosted a four-class Dun Laoghaire Cup for sportsboats with racing for 1720, SB20, J80, and Beneteau First 21 classes turned out to be a three race, no discard event, primarily due to unstable winds on Dublin Bay.

The 1720 East Coast Championship, the J80 East Coast Championship and the First 211 National Championship were all staged as part of the Cup.

In a fine turnout of nearly 50 boats, just one race was possible in each class on Saturday. Conditions were tricky, as DBSC Squib sailor Vincent Delany describes here. Sunday saw two races completed to secure the championships.

Overnight leader in the 21-boat 1720 class, Howth's Robert Dix, suffered a black flag in the first race on Sunday morning, which ultimately dropped him to sixth overall. 

Second to Hughes skippering 'Root 1' (a nod to his Kilkenny Carrot farm) was clubmate Ciaran Finnegan, in Green Diesel. Third was Rob O'Connell's Fools Gold. 

Niall O'Riordan's SB20 Sea Biscuit was second overall Photo: Afloat

For the SB20s, in an 11-boat fleet, it was business as usual for the crew of Ted skippered by Michael O'Connor, who won from Niall O'Riordan's Sea Biscuit. Ger Demspey's Venues World was third. 

The 11-boat B211s who raced under both scratch and ECHO were won (on scratch) by Peter Carroll on Yikes with Jimmy Fischer's Billy Whizz second and Andrew Bradley's Chinook in third. 

Jimmy Fischer's B211 Billy Whizz was second Photo: Afloat

In a five boat J80 fleet, 1 GBR 605 Vincent Lattimore leads Declan Curtin. Royal St George's Mark Nolan lies third.

Overall results are here

The Royal Irish Yacht Club hosted four-class Dun Laoghaire Cup for sports boats with racing for 1720, SB20, J80 and Beneteau First 21 classes got off to a slow start on Saturday due to unstable winds on Dublin Bay.

In a fine turnout of nearly 50 boats, just one race was possible in each class with RIYC Sailing Manager Mark McGibney telling Afloat: "Fickle and unstable wind direction led to a very frustrating day for the race management team".

The 1720 East Coast Championship, the J80 East Coast Championship and First 21 National Championship are all being staged as part of the Cup.

For the SB20s, in an 11-boat fleet, it is the first opportunity to 'cross swords' in what promises to be a very exciting season in the build-up to September's class World Championships being staged at the same venue. Michael O'Connor leads from Niall O'Riordan. Tadhg Donnelly is third.

In the 21-boat 1720 class, Howth's Robert Dix leads from Rory Lynch. Third is Robert O'Connell.

The 11-boat B21s who are racing under both scratch and ECHO are led (on scratch) by Peter Carroll with Jimmy Fischer second and Hugh Kelly third. 

In a five boat J80 fleet, 1 GBR 605 Vincent Lattimore leads Declan Curtin. Royal St George's Mark Nolan lies third.

Racing continues on Sunday with the prospect of more breeze. Results are here

As regular readers of Afloat will know, Ireland's only dedicated sportsboat regatta was postponed in 2021 due to COVID.

Baltimore Sailing Club in West Cork is, predominantly, a ‘summer club’ that is very busy when seasonal visitors arrive in the village from Cork City, Dublin and other locations. That does not limit its ambitions to develop the sport as its newly-elected Commodore Grahame Copplestone has been telling me.

The annual general meeting this week had a list of planned events that it hopes to host, starting in April and this year running possibly into October/ November. The list includes Munster Lasers – 16th-17th April; Wazsp Southerns/Foil Event – 14th – 15th May; National 18’s South Coast – 4th -5th June; 1720 Nationals – 1st, 2nd 3rd August or 8th, 9th 10th August; Baltimore Cup – August weekend; ITRA Nationals –late October/November.

1720 sportsboats are strong in Baltimore Sailing Club where class ace Robert O'Leary (left) is the club Sailing Secretary Photo: Deirdre Horgan

Grahame Copplestone takes over from outgoing Commodore Charlie Bolger who has agreed to stay on as a club committee member. Peter O’Flynn has been appointed as Vice Commodore; Tom Bushe – Treasurer; Etain Linehan – Secretary; Sheila O’Sullivan – Rear Commodore; Rob O’Leary – Sailing Secretary, with Committee Members - Ruth Field, Dee Griffiths, Pierce Ryan, Glenn MacCarthy and Fiona MacCarthy.

"The 1720 Class has become a major part of the club"

The 1720 Class has become a major part of the club and owners of these boats are encouraging a “cohort of younger sailors to join the fleet,” the new Commodore says. He told me that the club is putting a lot of emphasis on retaining younger sailors in the sport and is also intending to develop more cruiser racing.

The Heir Island Sloop raced at Baltimore Sailing Club is designed for local one-design racing and day sailing on the semi-sheltered waters of Long Island Bay and Roaring Water Bay in South West Cork

Graham Copplestone is my first podcast guest in 2022. Listen to his interview here where he outlines in detail the club plans, starting with its position as a summer club.

Proof of the continuing resurgence of the 1720 sportsboat class was evident in Crosshaven in Cork Harbour at the weekend with the arrival - and naming of - another addition to the Royal Cork fleet.  

Given the number at the "Europeans Championships" in Dunmore East in September, where numbers were just under 30 boats, the 2022 season already looks sure to be a highlight of July's Cork Week Regatta when the club's design will take centre stage. 

It's obvious there's been some TLC that went into this lovely new addition, her silver-grey topsides looking every inch the perfect finish!

1720 'Breaking Bad' - silver grey topsides

As to the identity of the skipper of Breaking Bad, there's no confirmation from Crosshaven yet, but insiders say a Laser National Champion may take the helm.

Everyone at UK Sailmakers Ireland is proud of how well our customers performed at last weekend's 1720 European Championships at Waterford Harbour Sailing Club.

We would also like to congratulate the McBearla's team on their overall victory.

UK Sailmakers Ireland has put every effort into making our sails the fastest on the race track, and it's showing with all our sails on the podium in Dunmore East: 

1. McBearla IRL 2000 Rope Dock
2. Elder Lemon IRL 2888 Robert Dix
3. Live Wire IRL 1755 Baltimore sailing Club
4. Probably Legal IRL 1804 Mia Murphy

We would also like to thank Waterford Harbour Sailing Club for running an excellent event. Julian Hughes and his team did a fantastic job.

De Ja Vu IRL 1777 Ross Johnson running deep down the inside, making gains on the fleet. 

Root 1 IRL 1848 Julian Hughes rounding the right-hand leeward mark

Full Irish IRL 1748 David Kenefick leading a split gybe in the fleet downwind 

Elder Lemon IRL 2888 Robert Dix setting as he rounds the wing mark and goes on to win race 5 with his XD carbon sails 

On Saturday, fog cut short the final day of racing of the 1720 European Championships at Waterford Harbour Sailing Club, handing the overall title to Ross McDonald and the McBearla crew. 

Although the stage was set for a thrilling final three races to decide the podium places, overnight scores stood, meaning McDonald and his RopeDock Atara crew won by an impressive margin of 16 points.

A 27-boat fleet, one of the biggest in recent years, had gathered at Dunmore East for the three-day event.

As Afloat reported earlier, McDonald took an early lead in Thursday's first races. It's a return to the performance that McDonald found in July when he won the Eastern Championships on his home waters at Howth.

A 27-boat 1720 fleet, one of the biggest in recent years, had gathered at Dunmore East for the three day Euros event

Thanks to a win and a sixth-place scored on Friday afternoon, another Howth helmsman, Robert Dix, finished second place by a point at the helm of Elder Lemon.

Baltimore's Mark Hassett skippering Live Wire finished third. 

The host club's Cian Finnegan won the Under-25 trophy. The 1720 top rookie prize also stayed with the hosts as Rob McConnell took the award in tenth place.

The interclub trophy, based on the top three aggregate scores, went to Baltimore Sailing Club.

1720 Europeans Top Ten Overall

1 1720 Rope DocK Atara 1720 2000 HYC/RCYC McBearla's 7.0 1.0 2.0 4.0 (17.0) 1.0 32.0 15.0
2 1720 Elder Lemon 1720 2888 BSC Robert Dix 2.0 (28.0 DSQ) 5.0 17.0 1.0 6.0 59.0 31.0
3 1720 Live Wire 1720 1755 BSC BSC 4.0 (16.0) 14.0 6.0 4.0 4.0 48.0 32.0
4 1720 Probably Legal 1720 1804 RCYC Mia Murphy 5.0 7.0 12.0 7.0 (19.0) 3.0 53.0 34.0
5 1720 Dutch Gold 1720 2020 BSC Rob O'Leary 1.0 10.0 10.0 (28.0 OCS) 8.0 7.0 64.0 36.0
6 1720 Spiced Beef 1720 184 BSC Fionn Lyden 9.0 11.0 4.0 3.0 (13.0) 11.0 51.0 38.0
7 1720 True worth 1720 1812 WHBTC Ben Scallan/Doireann Lawlor 17.0 (23.0) 7.0 13.0 10.0 2.0 72.0 49.0
8 1720 The Connor K 1720 1722 RIYC Kenneth Rumball 8.0 6.0 11.0 18.0 6.0 (28.0 BFD) 77.0 49.0
9 1720 Smile 'n' Wave 1720 1722 BSC Ben Cooke 3.0 8.0 15.0 14.0 (16.0) 10.0 66.0 50.0
10 1720 Fools Gold 1720 1749 WHSC Rob McConnell 22.0 4.0 3.0 1.0 (24.0) 21.0 75.0 51.0

Results here