#sailorofthemonth – The summer of 2013 has been the season in which world sailing has come to Ireland. In addition to two World Championships, events such as the Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta and the Sovereigns Cup at Kinsale have brought sailing visitors to our shores. Then too, being a Rolex Fastnet Race year, 2013 saw a fleet of record-breaking size rounding our most famous rock, an event in which a dozen Irish boats took part.

The events which were staged from Irish ports involved an enormous amount of voluntary effort from our own communities, large and small. And skilled effort at that. Well-meaning willing helpers can be a mixed blessing. But when experienced administrators build up their chosen team of specialists as the allotted time of each major event approaches, the effective administrative machinery - virtually guaranteed when Ireland is hosting a big event - slips smoothly into place.

After such a summer of so much success in event management, there are many volunteers whose efforts deserve to be highlighted. So in making John Twomey of Kinsale the Afloat.ie "Sailor of the Month" for August, we hope that other organisers will realise that we are applauding their efforts too.

But amongst the elite of organisers, John is the crème de la crème.

An active participant himself to Olympic level, his election last November as President of the International Association For Disabled Sailing was a well-earned indication of the high regard in which he is held in global sailing. And in bringing the Worlds to his home port and ensuring that it was a success which was popular with the general public too, John Twomey played a unique role, deserving of national recognition and celebration.

#ifds – Today the wind was up and the sun was shining and from early on there was certainly no sign of competitors and officials relaxing with coffee around the Kinsale Yacht Club writes Claire Bateman. Every one had gone to sea fully ready for action and determined to get the most out of the day. They were not to be disappointed.

The weather forecasters had got it spot on and a nice south westerly wind of about ten knots filled in and the Race Officers were anxious to get up and running.

Your intrepid photographer and scribe had been slightly delayed getting to Kinsale this am and as a result were in fact last leaving the marina . However, we managed to arrive bang on time and went first to the Sonar fleet who were in sequence. Here all praise must be given to the Race Officers and mark laying boats for all the fleets and they should certainly sleep well tonight. The slickness and timing of the entire operation had to be seen to be believed. In fact the two Race Officers were starting their races exactly on their scheduled times.

It was good to see Irish IFDS President, John Twomey getting off to an excellent start and rounding the first windward mark in third place. The Sonar Class have now completed six races and it is the French team of Bruno Lourdren, Eric Flageul and Nicolas Vimont-Vicary who are current leaders on seven points after one discard. They are followed by NED 1 helmed by Udo Hessels and crewed by Mischa Rossen and Marc el van de Veen on eighteen points. In third place is AUS 1 helmed by Colin Harrison, crewed by Jonathon Harris and Russell Boaden on twenty points. The top Irish score in the class is IFDS President John Twomey crewed by Ian Costelloe and Anthony Hegarty on thirty points. .

In the SKUD Class The battle is between Alexandra Rickham and crew Niki Birrell from the UK , the Italian team led by Marco Gualandrias and John Mcroberts of Canada in first, second and third places respectively. The British team are now counting four first places with the Italians counting a first and three seconds and Canada counting two seconds and two thirds.

Meanwhile in the 2.4mR class Heiko Kroger of Germany had two wins today and results are showing him in second place with Bijilard Guus NED in first place However, the other NED competitor Barend Kol is third place on equal points with Heiko Kroger while in the latter two races today Helena Lucas of Britain, Gold Medalist London 2012 was getting into her stride with a second and a first and it would be a foolish person that would write her off at this stage.

So, it is all to play for tomorrow and will make for a very interesting and nail biting day indeed.

#ifds – Another fairly windless day in Kinsale yesterday morning with just a light breeze greeting the competitors in the Cork County Council IFDS Championships writes Claire Bateman. However, it was all extremely enjoyable with a lovely convivial atmosphere and most people enjoying their morning coffee while the postponement flag was flying. Suddenly the harsh sound of a hooter alerted all present to the fact the flag had been lowered and one could not believe the speed with which the clubhouse, marina and surrounds that had been packed were suddenly empty and silent.

Competitors needing assistance to get to their boats were speedily surrounded by their helpers and within what seemed like a matter of minutes the fleets were all heading to sea. Also disappearing with the speed of light were the committee boats, the support RIBS, jury RIBS, etc. and the event was on or, was it? To be or not to be, that was the question.

The first attempt at a start was on the Sonar course east of Kinsale. Race Officer Peter Crowley tried a start with a north westerly wind blowing but unfortunately the wind died half the way up the beat and that race had to be abandoned. After a short delay the wind that had been off the land had filled in from the sea with a nice 8/10knot south westerly breeze enabling a start for all three classes and they finished the day with three good races.

The Sonar fleet included Kinsale's own John Twomey, a veteran paralympian, and his crew Anthony Hegarty and Ian Costelloe, and Paul McCarthy and his crew Brian O'Mahony and Paul Ryan. The Sonar fleet also included Amy Kelehan, who previously raced in the SKUD fleet, and her crew Jacqui Browne and Austin O'Carroll.

The start line for the 2.4M s was quite something with all forty two of the lean mean machines like miniature 12 metres making their charge for the line. 

On the 2.4mR and SKUD 18 class courses, two races were completed when the wind eventually filled in. In the nine boat SKUD 18 fleet it was a second and a first for Italian Marco Gualandris who is now the leader overnight followed by the London 2012 bronze medalist Alexanda Rickham UK and John McRoberts from RVYC in Canada.

For full results see here.

#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.

#sovscup – On the eve of racing in the 2013 Sovereign's Cup, Kinsale Yacht Club released IRC class bands for tomorrow's handicap cruiser divisions.

Based on these bands, it is expected that ten boats will come to the starting area in Class 0, while Class 1 will see 16 boats (most of which lie in a very narrow handicap range) fighting for honours.

18 boats will do battle in Class 2 with an anticipated seven boats in Class 3.

IRC Rating Range

Class 0 > 1.061

Class 1 0.990 - 1.061

Class 2 0.924 - 0.989

Class 3 < 0.924

Kinsale is a natural, virtually land-locked harbour on the estuary of the Bandon River, approximately 12 miles south west of Cork harbour entrance. Home to a thriving fishing fleet as well as frequented by commercial shipping, it boats two fully serviced marinas, with the Kinsale Yacht Club & Marina being the closest to the town. Visitors to this marina automatically become temporary members of the club and are therefore entitled to make full use of the facilities, which include a fully licensed bar and restaurant serving evening meals on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Fuel, water and repair services are also available.

Kinsale Yacht Club Marina, Kinsale, Co. Cork

Tel: 00353 21 4772196  Fax: 00353 21 477 4455

Email: [email protected]

VHF: Ch M

Access: H24

#kyc – Last Sunday was a bright and sunny day in Kinsale for Patricks day saw seven cruisers hit the water writes Brian Carlin.
The wind was cool with a strong northwesterly building to 20-25 knots.
The PRO made the most of the conditions and sent the small fleet of Class 1's and white sails on a fast downwind ride to Black Head.
The flat seas and strong winds made for an ideal windward leeward course, centre point being the only other mark on the course.
Results: IRC All In went to Chancer (Carroll Bros), Echo went to Joker (Broderick & Gibbons)
White sails went to Maximser (Carl Queen)