After the success of the inaugural Beaufort Cup for Military and Emergency teams in 2016, this year's entries are approaching 20 boats already, including no less than eight J109's for the Cork Week event. There's an excellent line up of Dublin and Cork boats now involved and organisers are appealing for further Irish boats owners to team up with Services teams.
Fancy entering Volvo Cork Week for free? Joining an exciting new fleet, having a chance to win €10,000 prize money and getting some experienced crew to help race your yacht? Maybe the Beaufort Cup is the event for you...?
Tanaiste Simon Coveney has entered the Dublin-based INSS J109 for the Beaufort Cup. Photo: Afloat.ie
The Beaufort Cup is an international sailing event, run as part of Volvo Cork Week for military and emergency service teams. Beaufort Cup teams also have the opportunity to participate in the full sailing programme for the week.
"There are currently a number of teams looking to team up with Irish boats"
Only 50% of the team must be from the service they are representing, and there are currently a number of teams looking to team up with Irish boats.
So what's in it for you?
Free entry to Volvo Cork Week, the possibility to team up with a military or emergency services crew, join us at the Beaufort Bar in the tented village at Volvo Cork Week, which will have exclusive parties throughout the week, the unique opportunity to attend the Beaufort Cup Gala dinner on Haulbowline Island Naval Base, €10,000 prize money for the charity of your choice, plus the now famous short offshore; a 24hr race from Cork Harbour to the iconic Fastnet Rock and back.
Asked what the lure of this event is, 2016's winner Commandant Barry Byrne said that "the unique atmosphere and camaraderie between the services teams in the fleet is something the yacht owners really enjoy being a part of, also the short offshore is the perfect length; 24 hours down to the Fasnet along some of the most scenic coastline in the world is a great feature of the event, last time we had nine boats all rounding the rock within an hour of each other."
Denis Murphy's Grand Soleil 40 Nieulargo will race as RNLI Crosshaven in the Beaufort Cup. Photo: Afloat.ie
For J109 owners in particular, the possibility to join this fleet and compete against another eight J109s, from the Royal Navy, Royal Engineers, Royal Air Force, Irish Defence Forces and a myriad of other teams, is very appealing.
While there is a large fun element to the competition, and lots of friendly rivalry between the services, there is also very serious racing at the top end of the fleet. This year's fleet has attracted some high profile racing names, such as Irish past All Ireland champions Peter O'Leary and Stephan Hyde.
See the full 2018 Cork Week and Beaufort Cup entry list here
There are currently a number of highly experienced international and national teams looking to team up with Irish boats, if you are interested in getting involved, contact Barry Byrne at [email protected] or James Fegan at [email protected]
