Visiting Cape 31s Tokoloshe and Shotgunn Arrive for Thursday's Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta

4th July 2023

Michael Wilson's Shotgunn arrives at Dun Laoghaire Harbour for this week's Cape 31 National Championships being run as part of Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta Credit: Michael Chester

The much-anticipated arrival of two of the world's top Cape 31s for Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta on Dublin Bay this Thursday is underway.

Shotgunn (Michael Wilson) and Tokoloshe (Mike Bartholomew) from the Isle of Man and South Africa are being unloaded by crane this morning on the town's Carlisle Pier.

The Irish National Championship is being run in conjunction with the VDLR. Racing will run from Thursday to Sunday, with the Royal Irish Yacht Club hosting the fleet of six.

Confirmed entries include the following boats. Tokoloshe (RSA), Shotgun (Isle of Man), Katabatic (GBR), Antix (IRL), Aja (IRL) and Valkyrie (IRL).

Mike Bartholomew's Tokoloshe is craned off its road trailer at Dun Laoghaire's Carlisle Pier ahead of this week's Cape 31 National Championships run as part of Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta from Thursday

As Afloat reported previously, the fleet will have a mix of professional and amateur sailors, with several Olympian and World Champions declared as crew. The only fully Corinthian crews will be Aja and Valkyrie from Howth Yacht Club.

Tokoloshe afloat on Dublin Bay as her mast is stepped at Dun Laoghaire Harbour Photo: Michael Chester

All teams have been competing in the Solent this season with fleets of more than 25 boats on the start lines. While starts are expected to be less crowded, there will be no lack of close encounters on the racetrack in Dublin Bay as punchy winds are expected to see the fleet achieve speeds over 20 knots.

Published in Cape 31, Volvo Regatta

Published in Cape 31

Tagged under

Cape 31

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