Anthony O'Leary's Antix crew scored a first and a second in the final two races, which gave the RCYC ace the inaugural title on his home waters.
Six pocket-rocket Cape 31s designed by Wicklow’s Mark Mills, contested the first Cape 31 Irish nationals at Cork Week with teams from Cork, Dublin, Hamble, UK, and the Isle of Man in action.
The 2022 Cape 31 Irish National Champion is Royal Cork’s Anthony O’Leary’s racing Antix after scoring a 1-2 on the final day. Antix winning crew: Anthony O’Leary, Peter O’Leary, Ben Field, Rebecca Coles, Peter Greenhalgh, Mark Hassett, and Tommy Murphy. A thrilling battle for runner-up came from two teams from Howth YC. Dave McGuire’s Valkyrie won the last race to take second by a single point from Dan O'Grady’s Aja.
Anthony O'Leary's Antix crew Photo: Rick Tomlinson
“In 1997 we won the first 1720 National Championships, so in 2022 to win the first Cape 31 Nationals has a special ring to it!” commented Anthony O’Leary. “There is a very high level of competition in the Cape 31s, and it was great fun as well. Every day we go out, we are learning so much. This has been a light airs week and we still have loads to crack in the medium and heavy airs. It is very exciting to be on this learning ladder, and we are having a ball, the boats are spectacular!”
Cape 31 Adrenaline leads at a wing mark Photo: Rick Tomlinson
