It's all go for the brand new Cape 31 class with the word on the street that Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta could now play host to the Irish National Championships this July.
The first Cape 31 event of 2023 took place in the Solent with ‘Round 0’, the Royal Southern May Regatta.
The mainly light airs event, won by Mike Bartholomew’s ‘Tokoloshe’ and with Howth's Dave Maguire in Valkyrie competing, was a warm-up for the Class before the scoring events kick off later in the month at the RORC Vice Admirals Cup.
Cape 31 Designer Mark Mills from Wicklow reports on the rapid expansion of the class worldwide, with new boats delivered in 2023 to fleets building in Italy, France, and Hong Kong. "It’s no surprise," says Mills, "that the experienced dealers in these locations (The Tortarolo’s in Savona Shipyard, Marc Pajot in St. Tropez, and Jamie Boag in Asia) are actively building excitement and supporting owners to help build competitive, sustainable fleets".
Afloat sources say it looks likely – but not yet confirmed – that Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta will host the Irish National Championships from July 6-9.
This would be a change from the programme, which originally saw the eight-boat Cape fleet scheduled to race for National honours a week after the VDLR.
Defending champion Anthony O'Leary of Royal Cork, who won the inaugural Cape nationals in 2022 (that raced as part of Cork Week Regatta), has recently entered the big Dublin Bay biennial.
Anthony O'Leary’s Cape 31 Antix in winning form at Volvo Cork Week 2022 Photo: Rick Tomlinson
Meanwhile, the Dun Laoghaire Cape 31 'Blast' has come up for sale, as Afloat reports here.
