#SovereignNavy – The call of the Naval Service's L.É. Eithne (P31) to Dublin Port yesterday saw Simon Coveney T.D., Minister for Defence attend the launch of the ICRA Nationals and Sovereigns Cup to be held on the 24-27 June, writes Jehan Ashmore.

As previously reported on Afloat.ie the ICRA Nationals, the south coast's biggest sailing event of the year is to be hosted by Kinsale Yacht Club as part of its Sovereign's Cup event. 

The launch held on board L.É.Eithne took place as part of a routine call to the capital where the 1984 built (HPV) Helicopter Patrol Vessel is now in her fourth decade in service since her commissioning also that year. The 31 year-old L.É.Eithne also shares the same number with that of the pennent number designated to the HPV where 'P31' is displayed on her bow.

Originally, she came equipped with French built 'Dauphin' helicopters of the Irish Air Corps that after duties could return to the stern heli-deck and be stowed in the adjoining hanger. 

On her visit to the capital this saw her make an entrance on the Liffey having sailed upriver through the East-Link toll-lift bridge which as it happens was also completed in 1984.

The 1,900 tonnes vessel is one of three ageing patrol vessels all dating to 1984 out of seven-strong fleet based in the Naval Service HQ on Haulbowline Island in lower Cork Harbour. 

Easily recognisable compared to fleetmates as the 80-metre L.É. Eithne has a larger superstructure and a pair of funnels.

She was launched nearby to the naval base in Rushbrooke at the Verolme Cork Dockyard. This would be the yard's final order before closing that same year.

A total crew of 55 (6 officers) serve on board the HPV which has a main armament consisting of a bow-mounted Bofors 57mm canon. 

Secondary armament are a pair of 20mm Rheinmetall canons in addition to a variety of smaller arms ranging from 9mm pistol to a 7.62mm general purpose machine gun.

The 55 crew of L.É.Eithne in which six are officers had departed Dublin Port this afternoon that saw a southbound passage through Dublin Bay and out into the Irish Sea.

During her career the 7,000 nautical-mile range capable vessel has carried out numerous fishery patrol duties, related boardings and among other roles that of drug-interdiction duties. 

She has also been tasked with deployments overseas along with becoming the first Naval Service ship to cross the Atlantic Ocean. On that occasion in 1986, the HPV visited the eastern seaboard of North America with calls to New York, Boston and Hamilton. 

L.É.Eithne along with her fleetmates are to regain the usual total of eighth patrol vessels. This will be achieved when the newbuild OPV90 class James Joyce as previously reported is due for delivery next month.

She is the second of a trio of Enhanced 'Roisin' class vessels following last year's introduction of L.É. Samuel Beckett (P61). 

The final unit due in 2016 represents a fleet renewal and modernisation programme when the remaining 'Emer' class offshore patrol vessel (OPV) L.É. Aisling (P23) is to be withdrawn. 

#cruiserracing – The south coast's biggest sailing event of the year was launched today on board the Irish Naval vessel LE Eithne by Simon Coveney TD, Minister for the Marine. The ICRA cruiser-racer National Championships event is to be hosted by Kinsale Yacht Club as part of its Sovereign's Cup event from 24th-27th June 2015.

The four-day event will decide four national titles as well as the Sovereign's Cup. Over 80 boats have registered so far for the event and this figure is expected to exceed 100 over the next two months.

At least 10 crews have entered from the UK and sailing crews from almost every coastal county in Ireland will attend the co-hosting of the Irish Cruiser Racing Association (ICRA) National Championship with the 10th biennial Sovereign's Cup regatta.

Minister Coveney praised the co-operation between all the stakeholders and cited the event as a prime example of what can be achieved to bring benefits to whole communities when clubs and associations work closely with business groups and local authorities to organise world class events

Many of the Ireland's best racing crews will be competing for the Sovereigns' Cup under the international IRC handicap system that is also used to decide the ICRA national championship titles. The Portcullis Trophy will be awarded to competitors under the ECHO handicap system.

The Sovereigns Cup 2015 was launched on board the Naval Service flagship LE Eithne in Dublin by Simon Coveney TD, Minister for Agriculture, Food, the Marine and Defence (right) pictured with Mike Walsh, Regatta Director Kinsale YC, Norbert Reilly, Commodore Irish Cruiser Racing Association and Ensign Ben Crumplin. Photo: David Branigan

#cruiserracing – ICRA are reporting a buoyant line–up of early entries for its national championships to be sailed off the Cork coast in June. The 2015 Irish cruiser–racer National Championships has attracted an early entry of 40 boats from Ireland, Northern Ireland and the UK. An expected fleet of over 100 will sail in the combined ICRA and Sovereign's Cup event at Kinsale Yacht Club. 

The discounted early bird entry deadline is February 14. 

#cruiserracing – The 2015 ICRA cruiser national championships will be sailed in conjunction with Kinsale Yacht Club's Sovereign's Cup regatta, the Cruiser–Racer conference heard at the weekend. Eight races are planned over four days.

The full Notice of Race for the Wednesday June 24 to Saturday, 27th event has been published and is available to download below as a PDF document and details are below. A Notice of Race for the White Sails Cup is also downloadable below.

ICRA NATIONALS & SOVEREIGN’S CUP 2015

1 ORGANISING AUTHORITY [OA]
1.1 The Organising Authority (OA) is Kinsale Yacht Club in conjuction with the Irish Cruiser Racing Association (ICRA)
1.2 The Event is the ICRA Nationals and Sovereign's Cup 2015 and incorporates the Irish 1/4 Ton Cup.
1.3 For more information contact regatta drector on: +353 21 4773 433 email: [email protected]

2 RULES AND ELIGIBILITY
The Event is governed by the Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS) of the International Sailing Federation (ISAF), the prescriptions of the Irish Sailing Association (ISA), the IRC Rating Rule parts A-C, the ISA ECHO Performance Handicap System, the rules of ICRA, the Quarter Ton class rules
Safety: The regatta is an ISAF Category 5 event. The OA reminds all persons in charge of their obligations in this regard. Copies of the Special Regulations are available from the ISAF website at www.sailing.org
2.1 To be eligible to compete in the Event boats shall, except when sailing under Quarter Ton Class rules
2.1.1 Comply with the definition of a cruiser in the ICRA Constitution;
2.1.2 Have an IRC rating or ECHO standard within the range .800 to 1.250;
2.1.3 Comply with the relevant IRC rating and ECHO handicapping rules

3 ADVERTISING
3.1. The OA reserves the right to refuse entry to the Event, if there is in its opinion, a conflict between a competitor's sponsor and the Event sponsor.
3.2. Boats may be required to display advertising chosen and supplied by the OA.

4 CLASSIFICATION
4.1 ISAF Regulation 22, Sailor Classification Code, will apply. Category 3 sailor allowance per class is set out in the table below.

It is the personal responsibility of every sailor to determine their ISAF Regulation 22 status. Apart from the exceptions set out in the table below, ISAF Group 3 competitors, including competitors who are not classified but who satisfy the requirements of the Group 3 definition, are not permitted to sail in the event. The OA may request a competing boats crew list together with related ISAF sailor IDs
4.2 Group 3 competitors are not permitted to helm except in an emergency.
4.3 Competitors who require an ISAF Classification should apply, in good time, on www.sailing.org/isafsailor

5 CREW LIMITATIONS
IRC Rule 22.4 is deleted. There is no limit on crew number or crew weight as required for boats rated as One Designs or restricted by
Class Rules.

6 DIVISIONS
6.1 Entrants will be divided into DIVISIONS which will not be finalised until after the closing date of 12th June, 2015.
6.2 The composition of divisions will be determined at the sole discretion of the OA on receipt of the entries, having regard to the following criteria:
6.2.1 The need for a reasonable number of boats in each division;
6.2.2 Having as close a spread as possible in the range of handicaps in each division.
6.2.3 Extra divisions from those used in previous years, with different breakpoints, may be created.
6.2.4 It is the intention to include a division which will group all ¼ tonners
6.3 The OA reserves the absolute discretion, in the interests of fair sailing for all competitors, to allocate any boat to any division.

7 PROGRAM OF RACES
7.1 The Skippers Briefing will be held at 1800 Tuesday 23rd June 2015 in Kinsale Yacht Club.
7.2 Racing is scheduled to be held on Wednesday 24th June to Saturday 27th June 2015.
7.3 The scheduled times of the first warning signals for each days racing will be 1155
7.4 On the last scheduled day no warning signal will be made after 1530, except in the case of a race where a postponement, abandonment or general
recall has been signalled.
7.5 Races will be scheduled to achieve a program of eight races maximum over the Event

8 SCORING & DISCARDS
8.1 The Low Point scoring system of Appendix A will apply.
8.2 Three races are required to be completed to constitute a Championship.
8.3 If 5 or more races are completed 1 discard shall apply.

9 FEES
9.1 The cut off criteria for Early Entry Fee is 14th February 2015. Closing date for entries is 30th May, 2015 unless extended by the OA.

ENTRY FEE: Early Entry By 14th April Thereafter
Over 45' to 50' E390 E410 E470
Over 42' to 45' E370 E385 E445
Over 38' to 42' E330 E345 E395
Over 32' to 38 E290 E305 E350
Over 28' to 32' E270 E285 E325
28' and under E250 E260 E300

9.2 The entry fee includes marina berthing for the competing boat from Tuesday night 23rd June to Saturday night 27th June inclusive and includes 5 additional nights that can be taken free of charge anytime during the summer of 2015.
9.3 There will be an additional fee of €50 euros per boat per lift (payable on the pier) for craning in and out facilities for boats arriving by road by prior
arrangement.
9.4 Entries may be made online through the event website
9.5 Entries are accepted at the sole discretion of the OA.
9.6 Entries are accepted for the full Championship only - boats may not enter for individual races.

10. RATINGS & HANDICAPS
10.1. IRC certificates shall be ENDORSED and have a VALIDITY DATE no later than 12th June, 2015 and are required to race in all IRC Divisions with the exception of Class 5, White Sail IRC when an unendorsed IRC certificate will suffice.
10.1.1. No alteration in a boat's TCC will be permitted after this cut-off date except as a result of a rating protest, or to correct Rating Office errors. Such errors shall be certified in writing as such by the Rating Office.
10.1.2. A boat's owner and any other person in charge shall ensure that the boat is maintained to comply with her measurement and that her rating certificate
remains valid for all races in the series.
10.1.3. If, for any reason, a boat's TCC is changed after the cut-off date above it shall be the duty of the boat's owner or any other person in charge to inform the OA of any change immediately and any increased TCC shall be applied to all races in calculating her series score. This provision is subject to 10.1.5
10.1.4. The name/s of the equipment inspector/s and/or measurer/s shall be published on the official notice board for the duration of the event [RRS 78]
10.1.5. The validity date may be extended in extraordinary circumstances at the sole discretion of the OA. The boat seeking the extension shall apply in
good time in writing setting out the grounds for the extension.
10.2. A copy of the boat's current IRC Endorsed certificate shall be included with the entry form or submitted at registration. This copy shall be available for inspection by another competitor at any time.
10.3. The OA reserves the right to inspect any boat to ensure compliance with IRC certificates.
10.4. Each entry will be assigned an initial ECHO Handicap based on current ECHO Handicap data gathered from the various handicap authorities. A
system of progressive ECHO handicapping, where each boat's handicap is automatically adjusted on the basis of performance in each race, will apply.
The act of handicap adjustment or failure to adjust will not be grounds for a request for redress. (This changes RRS 62)

11. HAUL OUT RESTRICTIONS
Boats shall not be hauled out once launched and during the Event except with and according to the terms of prior written permission of the OA.

12. PRIZES
Overall Prizes and trophies will be awarded under IRC and ECHO.
12.1 The Sovereign's Cup will be presented to the boat which in the opinion of the Regatta Committee performs to the highest standard under IRC.
12.2 The Portcullis Trophy will be presented to the boat which in the opinion of the Regatta Committee performs to the highest standard under ECHO.
12.3 A White Sail Trophy will be presented to the boat which in the opinion of the Regatta Committee performs to the highest standard under white sail
12.4 The Irish Quarter Ton Championship Trophy will be presented to the Quarter Tonner with the lowest points score under IRC.
12.5 The Michelle Dunne Prix D'elegance Trophy will be presented to the boat and crew which in the opinion of the Regatta Committee is the best turned
out at the regatta.
12.5 Final prize giving for the ICRA Nationals and Sovereigns Cup and Irish National Quarter Ton Cup Regatta will take place on Saturday 29th June in
Kinsale Yacht club.

13 REGISTRATION AND SAILING INSTRUCTIONS
All entrants shall register with the Event Office in the KYC. Sailing Instructions will be available at registration and may be posted on the event website.
Registration will take place on the following days:
Monday 22nd June 1400 – 1700
Tuesday 23rd June 1000 – 1800

14 RACING AREA & COURSES
14.1. Races will be sailed in the waters off Kinsale Harbour.
14.2. The courses to be sailed will be windward leeward or fixed mark courses.
14.3. Competitors are advised to ensure there is a working VHF radio on board each boat as the courses for the Round the Cans races may be called out on VHF.

15. ACCOMODATION & SOCIAL
15.1. Information on local accommodation is available on the Event website.
15.2. Entertainment will be provided after racing each day.
15.3. Competitors are granted temporary membership of KYC for the duration of the Event subject only to the Club rules for withdrawing or withholding
such membership.
15.4. On Friday 26th June KYC will host a Ladies lunch for the wives and partners of the competitors and their guests. Details will be available on the event web page. It is intended that all funds raised during this event will be presented to the Access Sailing Committee from KYC for the promotion of sailing amongst disabled youths at Kinsale yacht Club

16. SAFETY & DISCLAIMER OF LIABILITY
16.1. The safety of a boat and her crew is the sole responsibility of the person in charge [RRS 46] who must do their best to ensure that the boat is fully found, thoroughly seaworthy, and manned by an experienced crew who have undergone appropriate training and are fit to face the conditions encountered. The person in charge must be satisfied as to the soundness of hull, spars, sails, rigging and all gear. The person in charge must ensure that all safety equipment is properly maintained and suitably stowed. The crew must be familiar with the use and position of such safety equipment. The person in charge accepts that the responsibility for a boat's decision to participate in a race or to continue racing is theirs and theirs alone. Neither these regulations nor any action of the OA in any way limits or reduces the exclusive responsibility of the owner or the person in charge.
16.2. The wearing of personal flotation devices is strongly recommended at all times
16.3. Competitors participate in the championship at their own risk - see Fundamental Rule 4, Decision to Race. ICRA, KYC, their officers, servants and agents accept no responsibility in respect of loss of life, personal injury or loss of or damage to property sustained in conjunction with or prior to, during or after the event.

17. INSURANCE
It is a condition of entry for each boat owner to have their boat adequately insured against any risk, including civil liability to third parties and to ensure that such insurance remains valid for the entirety of the event.

18. MARINA
18.1 Marina berths will be available, free of charge, from Tuesday 23rd June until 1200 on Sunday 28th June 2015. Berths will be allocated on arrival and are subject to suitable space availability.
18.2 A limited number of marina berths will also be available from Sunday 15th June 2015. The provision of berths will be at the discretion of the OA and
advanced booking is required. Requests for an advanced berth should be made by contacting the KYC Marina Manager.

19. SPONSORSHIP
The Irish Cruiser Racing Association and Kinsale Yacht Club are very pleased to welcome Covestone Asset Management as our sponsor at this year's event.

20. MEDIA WAIVER
Competitors give their consent to the OA to use or so license the use of their name, comments, photographs and likeness as it sees fit for the promotion of cruiser racing. The OA reserves the right to use or to license the use of any images and sound recorded during the Event free of charge,

21 WHITE SAIL/NON–SPINNAKER
White sail/non-spinnaker boats please refer to addendum to this notice of race

#sovscup –Sovereign's Cup final day and the best wine was kept till last! All in all the Sovereign's Regatta turned out to be a great event weather writes writes Claire Bateman.

Scroll down the page for more on the water photos from Bob Bateman in today's closing races of the 2013 Kinsale's Sovereign's Cup.

Perhaps a little light on the first day for some and perhaps a little heavy on day three some others but on the marina this morning before racing crews were busy putting on the Factor 50 as they busied themselves getting the boats ready for sea after yesterdays hectic activity.

Speaking with Martin Breen of the much travelled Reflex 38 Lynx with his Discover Ireland livery, he said that he had been to Scotland, had done the D to D and the the ICRAs in Fenit but Kinsale was the first really good regatta he had been at this year.

Outside the harbour the weather was perfect with sun and 12 to 15 kts of breeze.

Classes 0 and 1 who were on the Round the cans course were given a joint start but it took a second attempt under a Z flag to get them going with a long beat to Black Head.

Classes 2 and 3 were on the windward/leeward course much further out to sea and the 1720s whose starts were an hour before everyone else each day were in Bullen Bay as usual.

In the first race when they got to the wind mark the first kite to pop was a red one with Nin O'Leary on the helm back in his winning way after two losing two races yesterday when the back stay broke on the O'Shea–Durcan entered T-Bone.

#sovscup –This morning dawned bright enough but a little bit cloudy at times and there was a smell of wind around writes Claire Bateman. Sure enough, when the yachts poked their noses outside the mouth of the harbour the wind was up to 15-20kts and with a west going stream and a westerly breeze there was a large swell being thrown up. This led to a number of retirals during the day in most fleets and was a game changer in many instances on the scoreboard.

The 1720s tucked neatly into Bullens Bay and in the stronger conditions Peter O'Leary BSC/RCYC had three wins today. However, there I a group of four behind him with only five points separating them. Tome Forester-Coles 29, Anthony O'Leary RCYC 31, Ben Cooke BSC 32 and the O'Shea/Durcan T-Bone RCYC, sailed by Nin O'Leary had a second in the first but carried maximum points in the two subsequent races.

Meanwhile, Classes 0 and 1 were sailing on the windward/leeward course and as they were furthest out to sea got the toughest of the conditions and even the committee boat had difficulty in anchoring. Keronimo had a clean sweep with two wins on the day. Gloves Off RCYC is lying next followed by Impetuous and Jump Juice, RCYC. Jump Juice had two seconds today.

In Class 2 the leader board has changed. Anthony Gore-Grimes in Dux is on 13 points but Leonard Donnery RCYC sailing Cavatina is just one point adrift and the Waterford raider Shane Statham ln Slack Alice lies third with 16 points . Desmond/Ivers/Deasy RCYC are on 22 points but Paul and Deirdre Tingle RCYC, still coming to grips with their new Corby 25, can be very satisfied today with a fifth and sixth bringing them to 25 points.

In Class 3 John Twomey continues on his merry winning streak clocking up his sixth win out of six races with Bandit and An t-Oileanach of RCYC lying 3rd and 4th respectively.

A report today erroneously stated that not one National Champion from the ICRA Nationals at Fenit was sailing at Kinsale in the Sovereign's Cup. This is incorrect as Anthony O'Leary RCYC who won his Class at Fenit preferred to sail his 1720 in the European Championships at the Sovereign's Cup as also did Barry Cunningham RIYC who won his class in Quest at Fenit and is sailing in the Quarter Ton Class at Kinsale.

Kinsale Yacht Club, Covestone Asset Management and the weather have all combined to produce an outstanding event that will conclude tomorrow (Sat) with two final races.

More wind and a bigger sea for the penultimate day of Kinsale's Sovereign's Cup. Scroll down for Bob Bateman's photos below:

#sovscup –Scroll down the page for images from today's day two, the halfway stage, of the Sovereign's Cup at Kinsale Yacht Club shot by Afloat's Bob Bateman.  

The Sovereign's Cup was established in 1995 and this year marks the 10th staging of this popular south coast cruiser regatta. The biennial event attracted  93 boats from all over Ireland and the UK to compete for the prestigious Sovereign's Cup for best all round score in IRC and The Portcullis Trophy for best progressive handicap.

#sovscup – RCYC's O'Leary clan continued to carve their way to the top of the 1720 European Championships table with six of the scheduled races completed. Nicholas, onboard T-Bone enjoyed a second and two bullets in today's racing held as part of the Covestone Asset Management Sovereign's Cup. T-Bone now enjoys a six point lead overall over Spiced Beef, with brothers Peter and Robert O'Leary onboard, which found today's shifty wind in Bullen Bay less to its taste. Baltimore-based Ben Cooke on Smile and Wave continues to keep the top two honest in third, just a further point adrift, while Anthony O'Leary, lies waiting in fourth should his sons slip up in the remaining races.

Kinsale Yacht Club's Sovereign's Cup passed the halfway point with a mid-event prizegiving at the newly renovated Kinsale Yacht Club.
In the Quarter Ton Cup, the competition continues apace amongst the 8-boat fleet. Rob Laidlaw in Aquila appears at this stage to marginally have the upper hand over Rob Gray's all-black Cote, scoring two bullets and a second to Gray's two seconds and a first. There's not much in it though, with the final race today being decided by a mere seven seconds. William McNeill's Illegal Immigrant lies in third overall after three third place finishes, and likewise Tony Hayward's Black Fun was remarkably consistent notching up three fourths today, to lie in fourth place overall. However, the smart money at this stage would be on Laidlaw or Gray to lift the trophy.
In White Sail Class 1, KYC's Dave O'Sullivan in Cimarron VI and Christine Willis in Rodmar of Aberaeron are tied on points at the top of the table, with the O'Mahony clan on Loch Greine just a further point behind. However, with Emir Herr winning today's race, and the overall scores reasonably close, it is all to play for yet in this fleet. In IRC, Rodmar of Aberaeron leads by a single point from Colm Bermingham's Bite the Bullet with Stephen Lysaght's Reavra just a further point back. In White Sail Class 2, KYC's Ger Grant in Loa Zour won today's race to lead overall from clubmates Caroline Forde and Gill Good on Guinness Kann and Richard Hanley on Saoirse.
In Class 2, the Waterford-based Statham team on Slack Alice now enjoy a five point lead in Class 2 IRC. In a tightly bunched fleet, this could be described as "commanding", as the second and third placed boats, the evergreen Cavatina and Bad Company are tied on points. However the two RCYC boats have only two points to spare over former Sovereign's Cup winner Dux. In Class 2 Echo, Henry Hogg's Lisador is currently comfortably ahead of Typhoon and Bad Company, but once again nine boats could be considered contenders for overall honours when one considers that Typhoon was the only one of the top five boats in Echo to score better than a third in today's racing.

Nicholas O'Leary's T bone crew lead the 1720 Euros in Kinsale. Photo: Bob Bateman. Scroll down for more photos

Class 3 were also on the Windward Leeward course with Class 2 today, and enjoyed the 15 knot+ south-westerly breeze and the pleasant sunshine. KYC member, John Twomey continued to dominate in his Blazer 23 Shillelagh, with a further two bullets today to go with the two from yesterday. Twomey's results are underscored by the fact that he has the lowest handicapped boat in the fleet, but consistently maintains a significant on-the-water lead in each race. Jaws Seachange Now and Bandit lie in second and third place respectively. In Class 3 Echo, Twomey's dominance continues, with Jaws Seachange now in second overall, but Bill McConnell's Monkey Business climbing to third overall after two second placed finishes today.
The Class 0 and 1 fleet enjoyed a very long day at sea today on the round-the-cans course which gave all boats a chance to stretch themselves in the glorious conditions. In the first race of the morning, Andy William's stunning Ker 40 Keronimo was across the line early, and had to dip back before resuming the race, scything her way through the fleet before surfing into an on-the-water lead downwind while clocking in excess of 20 knots! The "Z" flag had to be unfurled by PRO Jack Roy for the second race after a general recall. Keronimo leads overall in Class 0 IRC, but is tied on points with Kieran Twomey's Gloves Off, which continued her good form today. Murray Finlay's XP38i Roxstar lies a little adrift in third overall. Richard Fildes'campaign on his Corby 37 Impetuous suffered a serious setback today after they were Z-flagged in the second race of the day apparently dropping her out of contention until the discard comes into play. In Class 0 Echo, Gloves Off and Keronimo lie first and second respectively, with Tony Ackland's Dark Angel in third overall.

Dublin Bay Joker 2 leads Class one. Photo: Bob Bateman. Scroll down for more photos

In Class 1 IRC, John Maybury's Joker 2, has established herself as the boat to beat, not having been outside the top three to date, and scoring a bullet in today's second race. Local KYC boat David Scott's EOS lies in second place overall after squeaking a win from Joker 2 by two seconds in the first race today. The A35 Fool's Gold of Rob McConnell lies in third overall but, with just eight points separating second and sixth places and amid reports of very competitive racing - where minute margins are making significant differences - no one is calling this class yet. J109s and A35s occupy the top seven positions in Class 1 ECHO. Joker 2 also tops the table here with the RIYC boat 10 points clear of Tony Fox's Gringo and John Kelly's Jump the Gun rounding out the top three a further 8.5 points behind.

More images in the gallery below and in a separate Sovereign's Cup photography posting here

#sovs cup – Local Paralympian, John Twomey laid down a marker after the first day of racing at the Sovereign's Cup in Kinsale, County Cork yesterday. The ten times paralympian is in training for the IFDS world disabled sailing championship to be held at this venue in August and leads the class three fleet having swept the boards with two first place finishes on day one. Jamie Bergin and Brendan Foley are lying second after day one with 5 points.

Today is the second day of racing in the four day biennial cup.

British visitor Impetuous was first out of the starting blocks and shot to the top of the leader board of class zero. This result combined with their third place finish in race two leaves Richard Filde's Corby 37 in joint first position at the end of day one.

Keronimo the English Ker 40 was first over the finish line and ended up with a respectable 4th on corrected time in the first race. Andy William's boat produced a podium finish in the second race to leave him lying in third place overall. Kieran Twomey's Gloves off is keeping the home flags flying in joint first place with two second places.

RIYC Visitor Leslie Parnell finished in first place in race one in class 1 on his First 34.7 Black Velvet- Dublin Boats dominated the first three places in race 1.

The second race saw RCYC's D-Tox taking the honours with John Maybury's J109 Joker 2 taking 2nd place leaving him in 2nd Place overall. Black Velvet finished 7th in the second race leaving them in third place at the end of the days racing.

EOS is the leading local boat lying 4th overall. This 16 boat fleet looks to be setting itself up for some close competition over the coming days.

Waterford's Shane Statham sailing Slack Alice is top of the leader board in class 2 with 9 points after two races. Three boats , Sunburn , Cavatina and Alpaca are lying joint second with 10 points . Bad Company and the Main4 are providing stiff competition only a point behind.

Cork Olympian Peter O Leary and Ben Cook each had a 1st and a 3rd for the first two races. Tom Durcans' T- Bone scored two 2nds to leave three boats sharing 4 points on the 1720 European Championship after the first two races . Three times Sovereign Cup winner Anthony O Leary was not letting the Kids get away with it . He pulled a bullet out of the hat in race three leaving him in touch with the leaders and was lying a respectable 4th with 11 points after 3 races.

Sam Laidlow's Aquila opened his account with a bullet in the first of the ¼ Tonner National Championship. Cote helmed by Rob Grey finished 2nd in race 1 but with a bullet in race 2 shared the top place with Sam Laidlow after two races. Aquila continued their winning ways in race three leaving them clear leaders with 4 points after day one.

OD Donal Hayes sent the Gentlemen's class of white sailors class 1 on a two and a half hour cruise around Kinsale harbour . Howth visitor Bite the Bullet helmed by Colm Bermingham leads this fleet after the first day . RCYC's Loch Greine is lying second with Welsh visitors Rodney of Aberaeron claiming a respectable 3rd. Best of the local fleet in this class was Dave O' Sullivan's Cimmaron VI.

Saoirse , Guinness Khan and Loa Zur took the spoils in Class two.

Full day one results here.

#sovs cup – Local Paralympian, John Twomey laid down a marker after the first day of racing at the Sovereign's Cup in Kinsale, County Cork yesterday. The ten times paralympian is in training for the IFDS world disabled sailing championship to be held at this venue in August and leads the class three fleet having swept the boards with two first place finishes on day one. Jamie Bergin and Brendan Foley are lying second after day one with 5 points.

British visitor Impetuous was first out of the starting blocks and shot to the top of the leader board of class zero. This result combined with their third place finish in race two leaves Richard Filde's Corby 37 in joint first position at the end of day one.

Keronimo the English Ker 40 was first over the finish line and ended up with a respectable 4th on corrected time in the first race. Andy William's boat produced a podium finish in the second race to leave him lying in third place overall. Kieran Twomey's Gloves off is keeping the home flags flying in joint first place with two second places.

RIYC Visitor Leslie Parnell finished in first place in race one in class 1 on his First 34.7 Black Velvet- Dublin Boats dominated the first three places in race 1.

The second race saw RCYC's D-Tox taking the honours with John Maybury's J109 Joker 2 taking 2nd place leaving him in 2nd Place overall. Black Velvet finished 7th in the second race leaving them in third place at the end of the days racing.

EOS is the leading local boat lying 4th overall. This 16 boat fleet looks to be setting itself up for some close competition over the coming days.

Waterford's Shane Statham sailing Slack Alice is top of the leader board in class 2 with 9 points after two races. Three boats , Sunburn , Cavatina and Alpaca are lying joint second with 10 points . Bad Company and the Main4 are providing stiff competition only a point behind.

Cork Olympian Peter O Leary and Ben Cook each had a 1st and a 3rd for the first two races. Tom Durcans' T- Bone scored two 2nds to leave three boats sharing 4 points on the 1720 European Championship after the first two races . Three times Sovereign Cup winner Anthony O Leary was not letting the Kids get away with it . He pulled a bullet out of the hat in race three leaving him in touch with the leaders and was lying a respectable 4th with 11 points after 3 races.

Sam Laidlow's Aquila opened his account with a bullet in the first of the ¼ Tonner National Championship. Cote helmed by Rob Grey finished 2nd in race 1 but with a bullet in race 2 shared the top place with Sam Laidlow after two races. Aquila continued their winning ways in race three leaving them clear leaders with 4 points after day one.

OD Donal Hayes sent the Gentlemen's class of white sailors class 1 on a two and a half hour cruise around Kinsale harbour . Howth visitor Bite the Bullet helmed by Colm Bermingham leads this fleet after the first day . RCYC's Loch Greine is lying second with Welsh visitors Rodney of Aberaeron claiming a respectable 3rd. Best of the local fleet in this class was Dave O' Sullivan's Cimmaron VI.

Saoirse , Guinness Khan and Loa Zur took the spoils in Class two.