Every four years the National 18 Championship or as it is known, the Cock O'the North, comes to Crosshaven and this year Class Captain Peter O'Donovan had the brainwave to stage a reunion for the Class
writes Claire Bateman. Much endeavour by Peter and his willing band of helpers has gone into the 2011 event. Indeed, many boats that were lying discarded only a month ago have been dug out and revamped to arrive at Crosshaven looking like new. The fulfillment of this dream was the largest ever start line of 18s in the capable hands of Race Officers David O'Brien and Peter Crowley for the practice races today (Sun) and it included very welcome visitors from IOMYC, RFYC, Tamesis, Blackwater SC, Lymington Town SC, Cologne from Bofham SC, Gloucester SC, Baltimore SC and our near neighbour Monkstown Bay.
It was decided to give the fleets a long start line to cater for the differing speeds of the categories of 18s involved. A south west breeze of some 12 knots made for nice sailing and there was plenty of close competition as the boats rounded the weather and spreader marks.
For the racing proper starting tomorrow the fleets will be split with the Classics FG at 11am and will sail round the cans courses with plans to have the morning races finished in time to visit the local hospitality centres. The Ultimate fleet will start racing at FG 11.30am and it is expected that, weather permitting, they will sail outside the harbour.
