#ROYAL CORK – In spite of the cold the sun was shining brightly and there was a buzz around Royal Cork Yacht club today writes Claire Bateman. SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTOS by Bob Bateman.
The young stay at home Oppies were out, the Multihulls were competing in their Southern Championships and last but not least, the cruisers were emerging from their winter hibernation for the second day of the O'Leary Insurance Group April White Sail League.
While short in numbers today, not surprisingly with the 12/15kt N/NE skinning breeze, there was no lack of enthusiasm in the League as was evidenced by the pre start manoeuvering on the line at the Grassy start under Race Officer Mark Ring. The course was 66 and Conor O'Donovan in X-tension made the best of the start coming off the line. He was followed by Kieran and Liz O'Brien's Magnet with Ria Lyden of Ellida hitching a ride today, Pat Vaughan in Aramis was next followed by last weeks winner Simon Brewitt in Callisto.
Meanwhile the Optimists who were too young to travel to the Irish Youth Nationals in Dublin were sailing on the Curlane Bank and not too far away was the colourful sight of the sails from the Southern Championships of the Irish Multihull Association. This event attracted entries from Ballyholme, Blessington, four members from the Galway DART 16 fleet and the home club RCYC all scorching up and down the windward/leeward courses.
To literally add to the buzz three helicopters brought great interest to the area where they were flying throughout the afternoon. One was from the Air Corps and there were two Sikorskys from Search and Rescue. It was a great thrill for the competitors to note that one of these was none other than the magnificent new Sikorsky recently added to the service.
Racing continues tomorrow in the Multihull Southern Championships and next Saturday for the O'Leary Insurance Group White Sails April League.
