There was a packed clubhouse at Kinsale Yacht Club for the presentation of O’Leary Life Sovereign’s Cup prizes. Photos by Bob Bateman.

As Afloat reported previously, with a superb string of six race wins in the four-day event, Frank Whelan's Eleuthera from Greystones Sailing Club took the overall trophy on Saturday night as the best boat performing under the international IRC rating system.

The Portcullis Trophy was awarded to John Gordon’s X-Rated from Mayo Sailing Club for best overall performance under the ECHO handicap system.

(Above and below) The Portcullis Trophy for the boat which in the opinion of the Regatta Committee performs to the highest standard under ECHO went to John Gordon’s X-Rated from Mayo Sailing Club Photo: Bob Bateman

George Sisk’s WOW from the Royal Irish Yacht Club also delivered a hat-trick of wins in the Coastal class that enjoyed a 15 nautical-mile race between the new racing mark at the Old Head of Kinsale Golf links and the Sovereigns rocks off Oysterhaven.

George Sisk (right) with the Meridian Trophy presented by Tom Roche (left) Photo: Bob Bateman

George Sisk's winning 'Wow' crew in the Coastal Class Photo: Bob Bateman

In the championship events sailed within the O’Leary Life Sovereign’s Cup this year, Peter Bowring’s Phantom from the Royal St. George Yacht Club convincingly won the Dragon Nationals thanks to two race wins on the final day.

(From left) David Williams, Neil Hegarty (with trophy) and Peter Bowring were Dragon National Championship winners Photo: Bob Bateman

Ross and Aoife McDonald’s Ropedock - Atara from Howth Yacht Club won the 1720 championship with all podium places.

Nigel Biggs from Manchester on Checkmate XVIII and representing the Royal Irish and Howth yacht clubs had a 'do or die' sixth race with Michael Wright’s Mata from Howth.

Class Two winner Nigel Biggs from Manchester on Checkmate XVIII Photo: Bob Bateman

A win for Wright in the penultimate race brought him one point ahead of Biggs who then won the match-race for the final as the pair were unbeatable for the top two places in their 19-strong fleet.

However, Wright still emerged with Irish Half-ton Cup to sit alongside his Division 2 national championship title from earlier this month.

(Above and below) Michael Wright’s Mata crew from Howth were Irish Half Ton Cup winners Photo: Bob Bateman

Dave Cullen of Checkmate XV was third in IRC2 Photo: Bob Bateman

Richard Colwell and John Murphys’ Outrajeous in Division 1, completing a scoreline of all first and second places for the series.

In Class One, winners were from left the Tingle Family (second), Brian Jones (third) and overall winners Richard Colwell and John Murphy Photo: Bob Bateman

In the non-spinnaker fleets, Waterford Harbour Sailing Club’s Shane Statham on Slack Alice won the overall White Sails trophy for his straight wins under IRC plus his counterpart victory on ECHO handicap, a feat only managed by Eleuthera in Division 0 and Kinsale’s John Twomey on Shillelagh in White Sails 2.

(Above and below) Shane Statham on Slack Alice won the overall White Sails trophy

John Twomey and his White sail crew Photo: Bob Bateman

Patrick Burke’s Prima Luce from the Royal Irish Yacht Club won the ‘Prix d-elegance’ trophy for best-presented entry Photo: Bob Bateman

Other major prizes included Patrick Burke’s Prima Luce from the Royal Irish Yacht Club competing in the Coastal division that won the Michelle Dunne ‘Prix d-elegance’ trophy for best-presented entry in the event.

KYC Commodore Dave O'Sullivan addresses the prizegiving Photo: Bob Bateman

Soveeign's Cup Race Director Bobby Nash

(above and below) Irish Sailing President and Race Officer (and Mr. Perfect) Jack Roy Photo: Bob Bateman