After five races sailed and one discard, Denis and Annamarie Murphy's Nieulargo was crowned IRC One champion at Kinsale Yacht Club's Axiom Private Clients Spring Series 2024 on Sunday.
The Royal Cork Yacht Club Grand Soleil 40 crew, skippered by RCYC's Lady Admiral, were clear winners in the 13-boat fleet by six points from Crosshaven clubmate James Dwyer on the helm of the restored Farr Half-Tonner Swuzzlebubble, who finished on ten points.
Third place was taken by Stephen Lysaght's Reavra Too, an Elan 333, from the host club.
The Royal Cork Yacht Club Grand Soleil 40 'Nieulargo' winning crew at Kinsale's Spring League, skippered by RCYC's Lady Admiral, Annamarie Murphy, pictured back row third from right Photo: Bob Bateman
The final race under Race Officer John Corkery on Saturday, April 27th, was held in medium conditions but a return to more winter-like conditions in a sloppy sea state. See the final day's racing photo gallery below.
The final course of the Spring Series IRC One Champion off Kinsale. K = Hake M=Sandycove B= Bullman Photo: Bob Bateman
The series prizegiving was held in a packed clubhouse immediately after, and prizes were presented by series sponsor Tom Roche of Axiom Private Clients. See the prizegiving photo gallery below.
The scene at Kinsale Yacht Club for the Axiom Spring Series prizegiving Photo: Bob Bateman
In IRC Two, vintage designs dominated the podium, with Kieran Kelleher's Quarter Tonner Diamond from Kinsale Yacht Club beating the visiting challenge of Waterford Harbour's Sigma 33 Flyover. Third was Padraig O'Donovan's Finot-designed Fastnet 34, Chameleon.
(Above) Kieran Kelleher's Quarter Tonner Diamond is in winning mode downwind at the Axiom Spring Series off Kinsale (and below) Kieran Kelleher' and Colman Garvey at the prizegiving with sponsor Tom Roche of Axiom Private Clients pictured centre Photo: Bob Bateman
With five race wins, Alan Mulcahy's Albin Express Apache was the clear winner on four nett points from John O'Connor's Impala 28 Fast Buck on eight. Third was Patrick Beckett's Tofinou 8, Miss Charlie on 15.
Alan Mulcahy's Albin Express Apache (above) was the clear IRC White Sails 1 winner(at prizegiving below) on four nett points in the Axiom Spring Series at Kinsale
A three-boat 1720 fleet division was won by James Matthews.
Full results below