The latest entry to register for the Simply Blue Sovereign's Cup 2023 at Kinsale from 21st to 24th June is a prime example of one of the most enduringly-successful designs in modern offshore racing. In fact, the Cookson 50 dates back to the previous millennium, when innovative boat-builder Mick Cookson of New Zealand took what has proven to be a timelessly competitive Bruce Farr 50ft hull design in 1996, and fitted it with his own take on a canting keel to create a marque - the Cookson 50 - which has been winning offshore majors ever since.
Ireland got involved with the Cookson 50 early in the new century, when Ger O'Rourke of Limerick commissioned Chieftain from new, and won his class and placed fourth overall (despite it being big boat-favoured event) in the 2005 Sydney-Hobart Race. Then he won the 2007 Fastnet Race overall, the first Irish boat to do so since the Dubois 40 Admirals Cupper Irish Independent in 1987. And then, as Adrian Lee's Lee Overlay Partners (RStGYC), the former Chieftain won the inaugural RORC Caribbean 600 Race in 2009.
But by this time, other teams were notching Cookson 50 success, and since 2006 Ron O'Hanley of the New York YC has been one of the most consistent and enthusiastic with Privateer. Now, 17 years later, he's still with the same boat, but with a well-filled trophy cabinet which includes first in the 2013 Caribbean 600 and a very close second overall in the 2017 Fastnet, plus many others prizes, for if there's a big race on and Privateer is in the entry list, then we can be fairly sure she'll figure on the podium in some position - overall or by class - at the finish.
Robert Rendell's Grand Soleil 44 Samatom (HYC), defending champion in the Coastal Divsion in the Simply Blue Sovereign's Cup from 21st to 24 June at Kinsale. Photo: Annraoi Blaney
Thus the fact that Privateer has now stepped up to the plate for the Coastal Division in June's Simply Blue Sovereign's Cup 2023 is going to add greatly to the interest for this class, which in 2021 was won by Rebert Rendell's Grand Soleil 44 Samatom from Howth. Entries are coming in at a healthy rate for the 2023 Sovereigns, with the classes including the Europeans for the 1720s, which last year at Volvo Cork Week attracts a crack fleet of 42 boats, with the win going to the Crosshaven/Howth English/McDonald squad on Atara.
There's an entry discount until January 31st, when there'll be a draw for a case of wine among all the Early Birds. Enter here
Meanwhile, as Privateer is presumably headed for the Fastnet Race 2023 in July after competing at Kinsale in June, might she find the time to take in the Volvo Dun Laoghaire to Dingle Race on June 7th?
