Baltimore RNLI Honoured with San Souci Cup at Beaufort Gala

8th July 2026

Afloat.ie Team

Fastnet Honour: The Baltimore RNLI crew, led by skipper Rob O'Leary, receive the San Souci Cup for the Beaufort Cup offshore race at Haulbowline Naval Base. Pictured with Minister of State Gerry Buttimer, Department of Defence Secretary General Jacqui McCrum and Irish Naval Service Commodore Darragh Kirwan (right). Credit: Con Murphy

Baltimore RNLI's Beaufort Cup crew were presented with the San Souci Cup at Wednesday evening's (8 July) Beaufort Cup gala dinner at Haulbowline Naval Base.

The San Souci Cup is awarded for the offshore Fastnet race within the Beaufort Cup programme as part of the biennial Cork Week Regatta. The overall Beaufort Cup trophy is still being contested and will be presented following the conclusion of racing on Friday.

Skipper Rob O'Leary accepted the trophy on behalf of the Baltimore RNLI crew.

Among those attending the presentation were Minister of State Gerry Buttimer, Department of Defence Secretary General Jacqui McCrum and Irish Naval Service Commodore Darragh Kirwan.

Reflecting on the regatta so far, O'Leary praised Wednesday's harbour race.

Harbour Spectacle: A colourful fleet flies symmetrical spinnakers after Cork Week's spectacular downwind harbour start across the entrance to Cork Harbour. More than 90 boats spread across the course in one of the regatta's signature races. Photo: Robert Bateman

"Fantastic racing so far, the highlight of the event so far was the 90-boat fleet starting at the mouth of Cork Harbour on a downwind start. You couldn't recreate that anywhere in the world but Cork Harbour."

The San Souci Cup presentation came after Storm's commanding performance in the Beaufort Cup offshore race, where the Baltimore RNLI crew secured both line honours and the IRC victory in the Fastnet challenge. The overall Beaufort Cup will be decided after Friday's final races.

Published in Cork Week

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