The early pecking order is beginning to emerge in the Johanna Murphy & Sons-sponsored Cork Harbour Combined League, with the Echo divisions producing several closely fought contests after two races sailed.
Jointly organised by Royal Cork Yacht Club and Cove Sailing Club, the series resumed last Friday evening after weather disruption delayed the opening stages of the season.
In the Spinnaker Echo fleet, George Radley's Sun Fast 32 Tuco leads on three points after opening the series with a race win and following up with second place. Pat Tanner's Bateleur '88 and Gary Mills' Le Rendezvous are tied on six points.
Paul O'Shea's Elegance tops Non-Spinnaker Echo Class 1 on four points following victory in the second race. Behind her, Rosmarina, Magnet, Aramis and Summer Light are separated only on countback after all four boats accumulated nine points from the opening two races.
Leading Light — Paul O'Shea's Sun Odyssey 36i Elegance sails away from the fleet in Cork Harbour. Victory in the second race moved the Royal Cork Yacht Club yacht to the top of the Non-Spinnaker Echo Class 1 standings after two rounds. Photo: Robert Bateman
The closest battle may be in Non-Spinnaker Echo Class 2, where John O'Connor's Fast Buck leads on eight points. Bright Wings and Lapwing are tied on 11 points, with Boekanier just one point further back on 12.
While IRC standings were unavailable at the time of publication, the ORC divisions are also beginning to take shape.
Tuco has made a perfect start in ORC Spinnaker, posting two race wins from two starts to lead on two points. Bateleur '88 is second on four points and Le Rendezvous third on six.
Magnetic Attraction — Kieran and Fiorentina O'Brien's MG 335 Magnet rounds a Cork Harbour mark. The Royal Cork Yacht Club entry leads the ORC Non-Spinnaker standings after two successive race wins in the Combined League. Photo: Robert Bateman
In ORC Non-Spinnaker, Magnet has matched that achievement with two straight victories. The MG 335 leads on two points from Rosmarina on four, while Summer Light occupies third place on seven.
With only two races completed and no discards yet in play, the Cork Harbour fleet remains tightly packed as the 2026 Combined League heads into the heart of the summer programme.
