There was a great sailing breeze for today's Royal Cork Naval Race in Cork harbour and the appearance of the Navy's own Sail Training Yacht Creidne added to the occasion at Haulbowline writes Claire Bateman. Scroll down for photos.
The Defence Forces STY Creidne shows her pace in Cork Harbour in today's Royal Cork Yacht Club Naval Race. Photo: Bob Bateman. More photos below
The second fleet to start, comprising of Classes Three, Four and White Sail Class that included many Class One boats, were given a reaching start in the harbour into Corkbeg, a beat across to Cage, a run back to Corkbeg, a reach in the harbour and a beat to the finish before arriving at the Naval Base.
For this scribe the highlight of the event was to watch the Creidne with her gleaming blue topsides joust with Táilte. Creidne being a bigger boat with a longer waterline and ketch rig had the legs on Táilte on the reach but Táilte was pointing higher on the beat, had more manoeuverability and got ahead at Cage. On the reach back to Corkbeg Creidne again showed her speed to round Corkbeg just behind Táilte. It was great sailing and well done to both crews and their helmsMeanwhile in Class Three the Jimmy Nyhan/Maritta Buwalda Outrigger was making all the running and were using their asymmetric spinnaker to good effect and despite the best efforts of the J24 and the Impalas they couldn't catch them.
The conditions were such that the white sail boats were having a ball but as the fleet were rounding the Spit Bank a squall struck and took away some of the pleasure. However, it was soon to clear before the merry band arrived at the Naval Base to enjoy well earned and most generous hospitality provided by the Naval Service.
