Day one of the inaugural Key Yachting J Cup Ireland was successfully completed on Saturday. An impressive 40 boats entered the brand-new regatta at the Royal Irish Yacht Club in Dun Laoghaire on Dublin Bay.
Boats are fairly equally split into four classes: mixed IRC, J/109s, J/24s and J/80s.
The Cup is hosted by the Royal Irish Yacht Club and Supported by Viking Marine, Quantum Sails and Cyclops Marine.
Key Yachting is the J Boats dealer in the UK and Ireland. Key Yachting has organised the successful and popular J Cup in the UK for a number of years.
Barry Cunningham's 'Chimaera' leads the 10-strong J/109 one-design fleet racing at the inaugural Key Yachting J Cup Ireland on Dublin Bay
J/109 Class
There is a large presence of J/109s, with 10 racing in the One Design fleet over the course of the weekend. The fleet was up first on the start line, and after some waiting around for the wind to pick up and the course to be set, they were off. By the end of the last race and after various protests, it was clear Barry Cunningham's 'Chimaera' was the top dog, scoring 2-3-2. Nick Smyth's “Joker 2” followed in 2nd, scoring 3-5-1, and Simon Knowles' Howth based 'Indian' in 3rd with a total of 10 points.
J/109 racing on day one of the J Cup Ireland on Dublin Bay
J/80 Class
The class have a large fleet at the regatta for their National championships. Howth-based J/80 ‘Mojo’ helmed by Pat O'Neill, had a good day scoring 1-1-2, placing them in the top spot. Jonathan Craig's “Lisney Sotheby's International Reality followed in 2nd place, scoring 3-2-1, and Austin Kenny's 'Ram Jam' in 3rd.
J/24 Class
The Under 25 team from Kinsale on 'Kinsailer' scored three straight bullets in today's races, which means she's sitting comfortably at the top spot in front of Dave Bailey's ‘Hard on Port’ in 2nd with 6 points and Conor Haughton's ‘Jade’ in 3rd with 12 points. J Cup Ireland is hosting the J/24 Eastern Championships, so it's all to play for going into the second and final day.
IRC
The IRC class has a varied mix of I Boats competing, which made for a competitive and exciting first day. After a hairy start and consequent restart, the IRC class racing was underway. By the end of the third race, John and Suzie Murphy's J/109 'Outrajeous' lie in the top spot, very closely followed by Michael and Richard Evans' J/99 ‘Snapshot’. Colin and Kathy Kavannagh's J/97 ‘Jeneral Lee’ Results may well change by the end of day 2, so this is definitely the class to watch.
The current results are below and on this link
The day ended with a BBQ and Gin reception at the Royal Irish Yacht Club, and there was a great turnout for the onshore entertainment.
Racing continues on Sunday.
