Royal Cork Yacht Club Half Tonner Swuzzlebubble was the Spinnaker 1 - IRC fleet overall winner after four races sailed at Kinsale Yacht Club's Axiom Spring Series.
After a fortnight of cancellations due to big winds and fog, the KYC league concluded on Saturday, but again, the weather attempted to thwart plans and the finale was sailed in mist.
A special prizegiving at KYC was well attended and included a special announcement from the club vice commodore, Anthony Scannell, who said entries for June's Simply Blue Sovereign's Cup were now at 85 boats.
Kinsale Yacht Club Commodore Matthias Hellstern (left) addresses the Axiom Spring Series prizegiving at Kinsale Yacht Club Photo: Bob Bateman
The light winds were very much to the liking of the David and James Dwyer co-skippered Half Tonner lead, who won by a single point from their Crosshaven clubmates, Paul and Deirdre Tingle, in the X4 Alpaca on six points. Third overall was the ECHO winner, the Jones family's J122, Jelly Baby on seven. Ten competed.
Kinsale Yacht Club Commodore Matthias Hellstern (left) and sponsor Tom Roche of Axiom (right) with the Axiom Spring Series Kinsale Yacht Club IRC One Division top three overall Photo: Bob Bateman
Quarter Ton Anchor Challenge Wins IRC Two
In IRC Two Spinnaker, Conor Phelan's RCYC Farr Quarter Tonner Anchor Challenge came from third overall to win thanks to wins in races three and four to be two points clear of Kieran Kelleher and Colman Garvey's Dubois Quarter Tonner Diamond on five. KYC's Under 15 J/24 'Kinsailor' crew took third place on seven. Seven competed.
Kinsale Yacht Club Commodore Matthias Hellstern (left) and sponsor Tom Roche of Axiom (right) with the Axiom Spring Series Kinsale Yacht Club IRC Two Division top three overall Photo: Bob Bateman
Apache and Magnet share the White Sails spoils
One of the most intense battles took place over four races in the ten-boat white sail division between Alan Mulcahy's Apache and Kieran O'Brien's MG335, Magnet.
Kinsale Yacht Club Commodore Matthias Hellstern (left) and sponsor Tom Roche of Axiom (second from right) with the Axiom Spring Series Kinsale Yacht Club White Sails Division top three overall Photo: Bob Bateman
Magnet's ECHO handicap was adjusted after the first race.
Overall, it worked out that the spoils were even; Apache-winning IRC and Magnet-winning ECHO.
Mulcahy's Albin Express crew were also winners of KYC's March League, so they become the south coast form white sails boat in 2023.
Alan Mulcahy and his Albin Express crew from Apache are congratulated by Axim sponsor Tom Roche for their White Sails win in the Kinsale Spring League Photo: Bob Bateman
The event is the year's first event to count for SCORA season points.
