Light winds got the first races of the 2025 Kildare Innovation Campus Sovereign's Cup underway off Kinsale this afternoon (Wednesday, June 25th), and with it the battle for ICRA National Championship honours in eight classes.
J109s Storm (Pat Kelly of Dublin on left and Schull Harbour's Tighey boy at a leeward mark on day one of the on day one (Wednesday, June 25th) of the 2025 Sovereign's Cup Photo: Bob Bateman
As per forecast, light south-westerlies prevailed, but winds are to intensify on Thursday afternoon and reach speeds of 20 mph to 35 mph for most of Friday, a scenario that offers racing throughout the wind range, making it a true test, particularly over coastal and around-the-cans and fixed-mark courses.
Fifty Footers Sweep Podium in Coastal 1
In the single race of the 20-boat Coastal 1 division, Fifty footers dominated the podium with Nigel Biggs and David Cullen's First 50 Checkmate XX taking the gun ahead of Conor Doyle's Xp50 Freya and Frank Whelan's Greystones Sailing Club Opal, a water ballasted Elliott 57.
Thompson Triumphs Alone in Coastal 2
In Coastal 2, Welsh visitor Mark Thompson was the only recorded finisher in his J97 Jac Y Do from Pwllheli Sailing Club. The rest of the fleet was recorded as 'retired' or 'did not compete'.
Jelly Baby Leads Spinnaker IRC Zero, Ties with ValenTina
The start of the five-boat Spinnaker IRC Zero class with overall leader Jelly Baby tacking onto port on day one (Wednesday, June 25th) of the 2025 Sovereign's Cup Photo: Bob Bateman
The Jones Family's J122 JellyBaby of Royal Cork took a 1,3 in the opening races of a five-boat Spinnaker IRC Zero class, to be on the same four points as Johnny Treanor's J112e ValenTina but ahead after tie break. Lying third is Welsh IRC champion, the South Caernarfonshire YC Corby 37, Impetuous (Crompton/Miller/Hodges) on five.
Murphy's Outrajeous in Charge in Spinnaker 1
John & Suzie Murphy's J109, Outrajeous makes the most of her assymetric spinnker in a downwind leg on day one (Wednesday, June 25th) of the 2025 Sovereign's Cup Photo: Bob Bateman
John & Suzie Murphy's J109, Outrajeous, a yacht that is hotly tipped for Spinnaker IRC One honours this week, did not disappoint in the opening two races of the eight boat fleet, taking a 2,1 to lead by two points from local sistership Artful DodJer (O’Regan Family). A point behind, Barry Cunningham's Chimaera lies third, making it a 1,2,3 for the J109 design.
Half Tonners Clash: 2Farr Leads
Boardman, Kelly, O’Leary in winning mode in the Half Tonner 2 Farr in Spinnaker IRC Two division on day one (Wednesday, June 25th) of the 2025 Sovereign's Cup Photo: Bob Bateman
The battle of the Half tonners is underway in Spinnaker IRC Two as Boardman, Kelly, O’Leary draw first blood in 2Farr a fleet of nine. A 1,2 gives the Rush and Baltimore entry a three-point cushion over the Sovereign's Cup defending champions, James Dwyer's Swuzzlebubble. Lying third is a third Half tonner, Ronan & John Downing's Miss Whiplash from Royal Cork YC.
Shimmering Diamond in IRC 3
With two race wins, the Kinsale Yacht Club Quarter Tonner Diamond leads the Howth Corby 25 Impetuous (Noonan/Chambers) in a ten-boat Spinnaker IRC Three class.
Sovereign's Cup Day 1 Photo Gallery By Bob Bateman
Full results here
