There has been strong support for evening cruiser racing at the Royal Cork Yacht Club since it began last month.
The number of yachts taking part is considerably higher than last season.
“It has been a fantastic show,” Rear Admiral Keelboats, Rob Foster, a driving force in encouraging participation, has told keelboat sailors in his review of the May evening leagues series.
Friday evening’s whitesail has had the biggest turn-out with 27 yachts racing and 19 on Thursdays in spinnakers throughout the May League series.
After five races in the Friday whitesail series under In House Handicapping, Louise O’Keeffe’s Labous Gwen was the overall winner. Second was Clodagh O’Donovan’s Roaring Forties and third the Rear Admiral’s, Clodagh.
Fiona Young’s North Star won IRC Spin Division in the Thursday League series where five races were also sailed. Second was Ria Lyden’s Ellida and third Kieran O’Brien's Magnet. First and second were reversed under ECHO handicap with Eliida winning and North Star second. Sean Hanley’s Luas was third in ECHO.
The May Coastal Race winner in IRC was Ronan and John Downing’s Miss Whiplash, with Ellida second. Placings were also reversed in ECHO handicap in this race, with Ellida the winner and Miss Whiplash second.
The RCYC and Cove SC are combining in the reintroduction of the Cork Harbour Combined Clubs League for cruisers, which starts this Friday evening, with the first race scheduled for First Gun at 1855. Racing is for spinnakers and whitesail under both IRC and ECHO handicaps. The series, sponsored by Cobh-based Johanna Murphy Estates Agents, will continue each Friday to June 28.