The scene is set for today's tenth edition of Kinsale Yacht Club's biennial Sovereign's Cup with an entry of 93-boats.
Last night skippers and crews attended the venue for a pre-regatta briefing and this morning's racing is expected to get off to a gentle start with only light winds forecast. Scroll down the page for Bob Bateman's social shots from last night's opening.
Regatta Director Mike Walsh opened the Cup event in bright sunshine to the applause of competitors. This years event sponsored by Covestone Asset Management see's ninety three boats across all classes compete for the overall trophy the Sovereigns Cup.
A warm day with the lightest of breezes complimented by some warm sunshine provided competitors with the ideal conditions to complete their final preparations. Boats that needed to be craned in now sit alongside the marina ready to go with crews having put in the final tweaks to their rigs. Elsewhere, delivery crews unloaded non-essential equipment and switched to racing sails. Around Kinsale Yacht Club itself, a pleasant buzz of activity was evident throughout the day as those with jobs to do went about them in the pleasant conditions, while those who can afford to sit and watch the world go by had plenty to entertain them!
All a sailors are requested to note Amendment No1 to the SI's has been published to the official notice board.
Wednesday's forecast is for very light winds but it is hoped the clear skies will allow for a sea breeze to develop.
The recent reopening of Kinsale Yacht Club after renovations creates a fitting venue to celebrate the tenth birthday of this popular event. The welcome, competitive racing in what are some of Ireland's most beautiful sailing waters, along with the very social atmosphere ashore characterise Sovereign's Cup and have made it the success it is over the last ten years.
The 90-boats registered to date are spread across 16 classes with a healthy sprinkle of talent from both at home and overseas racing in each division. The regatta will be sailed across four different courses. The windward/leeward course will be managed by Alan Crosbie with Jack Roy shepherding the round the cans course. Peter Crowley has his hands full with both the 1720 and Quarter ton classes and Donal Hayes is looking after the White Sail division.
Class Zero has an impressive line-up of 8 boats, primarily made up of custom IRC boats from around the Irish coast and the UK. Entering for the first time is the Ker 40 "Keronimo" which will no doubt put it up to regatta stalwarts such as Jump Juice, Dark Angle and Impetuous. Class 1 has 17 entries in what is a very tight class band. The majority of boats range from 34 to 36 feet. Travelling through the water at similar speeds, there are sure to be plenty of traffic management issues. An impressive six J109's line up in class one. In light of this Regatta Director Mike Walsh has elected to make them a class within a class and award prizes to the top three scoring boats under IRC.
This year sees the return of the Quarter ton fleet for what will be their third class start at Sovereign's Cup. The fleet is made of the who's who of the class from both at home and the Uk. Rob Gray, class winner in 2011 returns with a "new" boat "Cote". Other notable Solent raiders are making the journey with recently crowned ICRA National Champion Quest along with Diarmuid Foley's beautiful Anchor Challenge leading to Irish charge.
Kicking off last night's Sovereign's Cup 2013 at Kinsale. More photos below.
Racing on the same course as the Quarter Tonners are the 1720's who hold their European Championships as an integral part of this year's Sovereign's Cup. The class last sailed in Sovereign's Cup in 1997, when the class trophy and indeed the overall award, the Sovereign's Cup was awarded to the Anthony O'Leary. The 16 boats entered so far this year are packed previous National and European Champions. As with so many other classes this year, anyone could win this class making one to keep a close eye on as the regatta progresses.
