The ICRA Nationals were a great success in Royal Cork Yacht Club last weekend building on the integrity of the previous events writes ICRA Chief Barry Rose.
The conditions were sparkling with two tough days sailing followed by a peach of a day on Sunday in blue skies flat seas and 7/10 knots of breeze to finish off in Carribean style.
Carribbean sailing, Cork Harbour style. Photo: Bob Bateman
After Friday's tricky opener in big swells and shifty breeze many competitors throught Saturday's blast in mostly winds ranging 20 to 30 knots was as exciting and tough a days sailing as they could remember. Pics HERE. The race officers Peter Crowley and Richard Leonard laid super courses and got in a full programme. Results and overall winner pics here.
There was real quality through the fleets and representation from every Coast in Ireland from Northern Ireland, UK, Wales and New Zealand giving the event an International feel.
The Royal Cork provided its usual warm welcome and good organisation on and off the water.
A top class buffet was attended by 180 people on Saturday night and sailors danced to samba music until the early hours.
The Dubarry Brass Boot Special award was presented to the New Zealand team on Black Fun for making the effort to ship their boat and travel so far.
Irish crews gave visitors the boot, on and off the water. Photo: Bob Bateman
The Dubarry and ICRA formula to award day prizes to all crews on winning boats was a welcome recognition that sailing is a team sport and the system where each boat could only win 1 set of crew prizes saw these day prizes spread around to good effect.
Long way from home. Dublin visitors got a great welcome. Photo: Bob Bateman
The last ingredient in the event was the amazing value for money with a 120 Euro entry fee including a week on the Royal Cork marina, a 100 Euro lift in and out offer and an accomodation deal with Hotel partners the Carrigaline Court of 130 Euros B and B for 4 days and 1 dinner was hugely appreciated and enjoyed by competitors.
Happy campers - on site parking facility at the club. Photo: Robert Bateman
A free bus down each morning and home made burger and chips and a beer for 10 Euro after sailing were nice details that all went down well.
The hooded sportsboat, another Cork Harbour invention. Photo: Bob Bateman
The prize giving on the deck in the Royal Cork in the sun saw Crosshaven at its best. ISA President Niamh Mc Cutcheon presented the medals and Vice Adrmiral Peter Deasy the trophies. They were assisted by Chairman of the organising Committee Rear Admiral Ronan Enright and ICRA administered the proceedings with Commodore Barry Rose Secretary Denis Kielly and treasurer and former Commodore Fintan Cairns. Prize giving pics HERE.
Those who did not attend missed a cracker of a Championship and those who won National titles thoroughly deserved them for the variety of conditions they encountered and the skill and standard to which they sailed.
