Displaying items by tag: Kinsale
Kinsale League Blows Up with 20-Knot Westerlies
#KINSALE – Easter Monday dawned overcast and breezy for the second week of the KYC Spring Series, sponsored this week by Cheeky Cherubs crèches writes Peadar Murphy. By the time the hardy competitors were out on course they were faced with a battle against the elements with westerlies in excess of 20 knots, gusting closer to 30 and the sailors' perennial favourite, rain.
Classes 0, 1 and 2 were on the round the cans course which saw them heading out to Black Head and back east to Sovereigns with a few extra turning points added in to add spice to affairs. In IRC 0, Race 1 saw Meridian and Gloves Off over the line early, but Kieran Twomey's Gloves Off made a particularly good comeback in the gusting conditions to eventually finish just 5 seconds adrift on handicap of race winner Freya, and tied for second place with John Godkin's Godot. Conor Doyle and crew on Freya made it a clean sweep on the day, winning the second race also, with Gloves Off and Godot claiming the next two spots. Overall, Gloves Off holds a slender 0.5 point lead over Freya with Godot keeping them honest in third. ECHO 0 also saw Freya claiming two bullets, albeit a joint first in the second race with Tom Roche's Meridian. In an extremely tight leaderboard, Freya now leads Tony O'Brien's White Tiger by just 0.5 points overall in ECHO, but Gloves Off and Godot are on the same overall score as White Tiger and Meridian is far from out of the running just a further 0.5 points adrift.
In IRC 1, Ian Nagle's and Paul O'Malley's Jellybaby continued their titanic struggle with Dave Scott's Eos, with the RCYC crew coming out top in both races this week. Both boats were pushed outside the pin end at the start of Race 2, and after some very, very close manoeuvring to get around and across the start line, battled back to the top of the fleet in the moderating conditions. Overall it couldn't be closer with both boats locked together on six points. Dan Buckley's Justus lies somewhat adrift in third with consistent set of results. In ECHO 1, it was a good day at the office for Aidan Heffernan's Indulgence coming home with two bullets. The usual suspects, Jellybaby and Eos are lurking at the top of the table overall, with Jellybaby a point ahead of their RCYC clubmates and Eos on the same score as Indulgence.
In IRC Restricted, Jellybaby and Eos claim the two top spots, and separated by one point, with Freya now holding third place after her strong showing in the wintry conditions, a further six points behind.
In IRC 2, the RCYC men on Bad Company must be commended for their consistency, regardless of the conditions. The Desmond, Ivers and Deasy team came home second in both races, adding to their two seconds last week, which were achieved in much lighter conditions. However, that consistency sees them top the table overall on eight points. Brian Goggin's Allure now lies second overall on 10 points, having found the conditions less to their liking than in the first week. Their KYC clubmates on The Main 4 have been catapulted up to third place overall after the Salter, O'Regan and Minehane outfit claimed two bullets in the demanding conditions.
Ernie Dillon's Silk Breeze stole the show in ECHO 2, charging home with two bullets and sizeable leads on handicap, clearly finding her mojo in the rough stuff. The Main 4 crew took second place in both races to claim second place in the overall rankings. Clem and Wendy McElligott's Sea Hawk now leads overall with a third in the second race giving them a one point advantage over their KYC clubmates. Derek Dillon's Big Deal is tied on points with The Main 4, after third and fourth place finishes in Monday's races.
In IRC 3, the Marron and O'Connell team on Bandit continued to reign supreme over Finbarr Dorgan's No Half Measures, and hold a four point lead overall. Padraig O'Donovan's evergreen Chameleon came home third on the day and lies third overall, with the same points as the Ryan and Tyler team on Away on Business. In ECHO 3, the race wins were shared by No Half Measures and Bandit, with Chameleon coming home third and second on the day. No Half Measures lived up to her name, claiming top spot overall, with Chameleon in second and Bandit just a further point adrift in third.
In Class 4, three boats turned out to do battle, with Alan Mulcahy's Sundancer leading Richard Hanley's Saoirse across the finish line in both races to tie the IRC 4 series at seven points apiece. Sundancer gets the nod overall due to more lower scoring finishes. Both boats are locked at the top of the ECHO 4 table too on nine points, with Sundancer in pole position again. The team on La Maraquita are ready to pounce on any slip up though, just a point behind, after solid bullet and second place finishes this week.
It was an eventful day in Whitesail 1, where the crew on Wheels were out to move Heaven and earth to bag a race win. Unfortunately their plans went awry when they instead snared the Matthews Chandlery buoy and had to return to port before the race even started. Of the remaining eight boats in the fleet, Dave Akerlind on Paragon claimed the bullet on the day, with Stephen Lysaght's Reavra just pipping Dave Ross and crew on Sonas for second place. Sonas is in pole position overall, with Paragon's win rising her to second and Dave O'Sullivan's Cimarron VI just a further point behind in third.
Billy Joyce brought Windrose home just ahead of Dave Cullinane's Delos, with Kevin and Celia Murray not much further behind in Objection! It's been a good campaign so far for Delos, with two second places giving her a slight edge over Windrose for now. Michael Lynch's Lady T was not quite in the grove this week, slipping to third overall.
Afterwards, there was an Easter egg hunt for the young at heart in the clubhouse, though unfortunately your writer cannot confirm if a certain septuagenarian OD fulfilled his commitment to celebrate his birthday by partaking in the fun family event. Even so, belated happy birthday Neil!
Quarter Tonner Bandit in New Hands for Kinsale League
#KINSALE – With only a week to the start of Kinsale's big April Series, the final race of the yacht club's March league saw some new faces on familiar boats. Kieran O'Connell and Graham Marron who have recently acquired the Quarter Tonner Bolero 'Bandit' (formerly owned by Ian Travers) were on the water for some early season practice. Quarter ton sailing is on a high this season with Cork week regatta centre stage in the 2012 programme. Conditions couldn't have been better yesterday with a brisk 15–knot southerly wind in Kinsale harbour. Joker, a Sigma 38, owned by Mike Brodrieck and Dave Gibbons won the overall March league prize.
Lecture: The East India Company in Kinsale
#LECTURE - This month's lecture organised by the Maritime Institute of Ireland (M.I.I.) is about 'The East India Company in Kinsale', presented by Paddy O'Sullivan.
The lecture will be held next Thursday (15th March) starting at 8pm and as usual takes place in the Stella Maris Seafarers Club on Beresford Place, close to Busaras and behind the Customs House.
O'Sullivan is an engineer, diver, author, and lecturer has uncovered a vast amount of information about the activities of the East India Company in Munster, regarding ship-building, trading, iron smelting, and cannon casting.
All are welcome to attend the evening where a bar and refreshments are available. A voluntary contribution is at the door. The organisers would be pleased for anyone to kindly forward details about the lecture programme, held monthly (third Thursday) at the city-centre venue.
Public transport: The nearest DART stations are Connolly Station and at Tara Street in addition to the LUAS (Red) line stop at Busáras. Car parking is located in the Irish Life Mall (ILAC) on Lower Abbey Street. For information of the lecture programme call 086 150 3766 and by visiting www.mariner.ie/lectures-spring-2012
Kinsale Frostbite Concludes (Prizegiving Photos here!)
#KINSALE – Conditions for the final day of the ASM-Marine Frostbite League at Kinsale Yacht Club last Sunday morning did not look promising initially. The approaching weak warm front, attended by early mist and drizzle, however was accompanied by a steady and persistent South Westerly Force 2 gentle breeze which by race time had strengthened to a welcome Force 3. Racing was followed by a prizegiving, photos below by Brian Carlin. RACING PHOTOS HERE.
Though the usual six week programme as previously reported, had been interrupted by the loss of two days of racing, the Race Committee with the completion of three final races brought the total number to fourteen with three discards applying.
Though the spoils were equally shared in the Laser Standard Fleet on Sunday with Ronan Kenneally (MBSC), James Long (ISKC) and Robert Howe (MBSC) each securing a win, a second and a third, it was Ronan with his outstanding performance of seven straight wins in the early part of the league that that eventually won him the title in this class. His total of eight wins over the series was only to be matched by James and Bruce in the Squib Class.
Darragh O'Sullivan (KYC) in the Laser Radial Fleet, relentlessly making up ground for four races missed earlier, eventually sealed the top spot in this fleet with a flawless performance of three wins and took the KYC Trophy for Best Performance by a Local Sailor in this class. Fellow competitor Eoin Cotter (KYC) saw his overall lead disappear as he scored three fourths, leaving him just four points behind overall. Equally Dermot Lyden's (RCYC/BSC) late surge, with a second and two thirds saw him jump ahead of Tomas Scanlon (Bantry Bay SC) and take third place overall in this very competitive fleet. Though unable to complete the series, Seafra Guilfoyle (RCYC) is to be congratulated for his six wins in total in earlier weeks.
Holding the top place in the Laser 4.7 Fleet from day one, Cian Byrne (RCYC) did enough to retain that position by five points overall with a third, a fifth and a second. His earlier six wins being the foundation of his eventual victory. Sorcha Ni Shuilleabhain (KYC) with improving performances over the past few weeks, saw her final two wins and a third move her up one place into second overall. Unfortunately, Ross O'Sullivan (KYC) had to concede that second place overall despite a win in the second race, as he also scored a seventh and a fourth. Cliodhna O'Regan held her fourth place overall by virtue of her final two seconds and a third.
James and Bruce Matthews (KYC) in Mucky Duck, in their first attempt in the Squib Fleet, expectedly ran out the eventual winners. With eight wins and never out of the top three in any race, their overall advantage of eleven points going into the final day looked unassailable – no pun intended. This did not deter the improving Colm Dunne and Mark Buckley (KYC) in Yacht Services Ireland to have a final flourish and commendably scored a first, a second and a fourth. Marcus Hutchinson's Sensation (KYC) crewed on the day by Victor Fusco and Michele Kennelly scoring a second, a third and a fifth ended the series two points adrift of Yacht Services. Bobby Nash and Mike Walsh (KYC) improving steadily , waited on the final race on the final day to make their mark with a win and ended the series in fourth.
Prize-Giving was attended by KYC Commodore Cameron Good who congratulated the deserving winners and thanked all the sailors for their efforts. Special mention went to PRO Bruce Mathews for his continuing and enthusiastic support, the KYC organizers, the Sponsor and all those who had helped both on and off the water to make this annual event such an enjoyable regatta. Bruce Matthews in his reply highlighted the continuing support of each class and his appreciation of the contribution of the Committee Boat members. The Commodore awarded the prizes for each class which were presented by Agnes McLaverty on behalf of ASM-Marine. Bruce Matthews closed the proceedings with the presentation of the KYC Trophies for the Best Local Performance in the Laser to Darragh O'Sullivan, and the Squib Trophy which was awarded to James and Bruce Matthews.
Photos from Kinsale Frostbites Final Race
#KINSALE – Stronger winds brought the ASM-Marine Frostbite League at Kinsale Yacht Club to a close this afternoon. Brian Carlin's final race photography is below.
Wind in the Sails (Evenually) at Kinsale Frostbite Series
Elan 340 for Sale (That Can Pay Her Running Costs!)
#BOATS FOR SALE – A 'highly spec'd and well maintained' 2007 Elan 340 has just come on the market. According to the broker Crosshaven Boatyard in Cork 'the yacht has the unique advantage of earning an income for her new owners'.
Priced at €73,500 ex VAT, this hi-tech designed performance cruiser has been used as a sail training and charter yacht with Kinsale's Sovereign Sailing. James Lyons from Sovereign Sailing told Afloat.ie "The Elan is a perfect fit for our fleet as she is licensed by the DOT for skippered and bareboat charter. The concept of our management fleet is the that owners use the boat as much as they wish and we use it for around 6-8 weeks a year which covers all her annual expenses".
She can be viewed through Hugh Mockler of Crosshaven Boat Yard. The full advert giving detailed specs is on the Afloat Boats for Sale site HERE.
Kinsale's Frostbite Series in Full Swing (Photos here!)
#KINSALE–Sailing in the annual ASM Marine sponsored Kinsale Yacht Club Frostbite series is underway inside Kinsale Harbour. Brian Carlin captured yestrerday's action (below) in the Squib keelboat and dinghy classes.
The league runs over six Sundays in Late Jaunary and February about sixty sailors will enjoy short sharp races on the Bandon River in underneath Kinsale's famous Charles Fort.
Racing features starts for all singlehanded Laser classes, mixed dinghies and Squibs. Three races are scheduled for each class every weekend. If the full programme is sailed over the six weeks that will see 18 starts for each class.
Entry fees are modest and include mooring and dinghy park space for all competitors.
Cork The Place to Be For a Holiday On The Sea
#TOURISM - Winter might be upon us, but it's a great time to plan a new year holiday in Ireland on the sea, according to the UK's Daily Echo.
From night-time paddling in with renowned kayaking instructor Jim Kennedy, to snorkelling in Baltimore, relaxing in Skibbereen and and fresh seafood lunches in Kinsale, a vacation in Cork can appeal to any taste.
Whale and dolphin watching is a big draw for the region, too, as Ireland's coast – the first cetacean sanctuary in Europe - plays host to a growing variety of species.
The summer feeding grounds off the southern coast are particularly busy, and tourist boats are often treated to whales breaching the surface and surrounded by dolphins putting on a show.
The Daily Echo has more on the story HERE.
Dragon Gold Cup for Kinsale in 2012
#DRAGON – Irish sailors will be vying for the prestigious Dragon Gold Cup from 8th-15th September 2012 when it is contested on Irish waters by Kinsale Yacht Club.
Leading the Irish challenge will be Dun Laoghaire sailor Martin Byrne who won the Dragon Edinburgh Cup last July.
Kinsale last held a major Dragon event in 2003 for the European Championships. Many of the famous sailors who attended that event will be expected to return for the Gold Cup in 2012, including current world champion Lawrie Smith, ex world champions Poul Ricard Hoj-Jensen and Tomas Muller and a number of former world champions and Olympians from other classes who now compete in the Dragon class internationally as well as the strong Irish Dragon fleet.The Dragon Gold Cup was last held in Ireland in 1997 when the Royal Irish Yacht Club in Dun Laoghaire hosted the event.
The 2012 Cup will attract approximately 80 boats and participants will be coming from all over the world, including Australia, Scandinavia, Russia, Ukraine, Ireland, UK and other European Countries.
Kinsale Yacht Club is well positioned to host this major Dragon event as it is has a good reputation for great racing, top class facilities on and off the water as well as great accommodation and restaurants that bring sailors back to Kinsale.
The Dragon attracts competitors from all over Europe, along with Royal participation, ex Olympian Pol Ricard Hoj-Jensen, many current professionals, world champion, Lawrie Smith and very accomplished Corinthians. The Gold Cup is a very Special event as participants aren't required to qualify, unlike the Worlds and Europeans therefore it attracts a superb atmosphere with a mix of serious sailors and those interested in the sailing and social programme.
The notice of race has just been finalised and may be viewed on the event website.
The Dragon Nationals held in Kinsale in August 2011