North Star Shines In Royal Cork's Round Spike Race

13th June 2026

Afloat.ie Team

Harbour Winner — Fiona Young's North Star rounds No. 8 buoy on her way to victory in the Spinnaker IRC division of Royal Cork Yacht Club's Round Spike Race. Spike Island's tactical waters again proved decisive. Credit: Bob Bateman

The Royal Cork Yacht Club's annual Round Spike Race once again delivered a demanding test of harbour sailing on Saturday, with 17 boats competing across spinnaker and non-spinnaker divisions in Cork Harbour.

The race, one of the club's most distinctive fixtures, sent competitors on a tactical circuit around Spike Island, where shifting breeze, tidal influences and localised wind shadows regularly play a decisive role.

In the Spinnaker IRC fleet, Fiona Young's North Star, an Albin Express, claimed overall honours ahead of John and Ronan Downing's Half-Tonner Miss Whiplash. Mark Mansfield and Jon McClean's Fareast 28R Resolute completed the podium in a fleet of eight boats.

Podium Push — Olympian Mark Mansfield helms Jon McClean's Fareast 28R Resolute during the Royal Cork Yacht Club's Round Spike Race. The Cork Harbour crew secured third place in the Spinnaker IRC division. Photo: Robert Bateman

The result underlined the enduring competitiveness of smaller-rated boats on Cork Harbour's intricate waters, where local knowledge and tactical positioning can often outweigh outright speed.

The ECHO standings told a different story. Wan Waterman's J/111 Joyride took victory, with Ria Lyden's X-332 Ellida second and Miss Whiplash third. The contrasting IRC and ECHO results highlighted the variety of performances across the fleet and the influence of different handicap systems.

Corrected Time — Wan Waterman's J/111 Joyride claimed top honours in the Spinnaker ECHO fleet during Royal Cork Yacht Club's Round Spike Race around Spike Island. Photo: Robert Bateman

The non-spinnaker division attracted nine entries and produced another strong showing from classic designs.

Brendan Egan's U-Class yacht Boekanier secured victory in both IRC and ECHO rankings, confirming an impressive all-round performance. Frank and Celine McGrath's Dehler 34 Big Mc finished runner-up in both fleets, while places behind varied between the handicap systems.

Double Winner — Brendan Egan's U-Class yacht Boekanier (U4) races beneath the slopes of Cork Harbour during Royal Cork Yacht Club's Round Spike Race. The classic design claimed overall victory in both the Non-Spinnaker IRC and ECHO fleets. Photo: Robert Bateman

Under IRC, the Albin Express Apache completed the top three. In ECHO, third place went to Gary O'Neill and James Kelleher's Sigma 33 Musketeer.

The annual race remains a popular fixture in the Royal Cork calendar. Its route around Spike Island combines spectacular harbour scenery with some of the most tactical sailing in Irish waters, rewarding patience, positioning and local knowledge as much as boat speed.

Leading By Example — Royal Cork Yacht Club Admiral Denis Byrne helms his Elan 31 Grin & Bear It during the Round Spike Race around Spike Island. The event remains one of Cork Harbour's most popular annual contests. Photo: Robert Bateman

For many competitors, that blend of strategy and spectacle is what continues to make the Round Spike Race a highlight of the Cork Harbour season.

Royal Cork Yacht Club's Round Spike Race 2026 Photo Gallery by Bob Bateman

Race Results

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Published in Royal Cork YC, Cork Harbour

Published in Royal Cork YC

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Royal Cork Yacht Club

Royal Cork Yacht Club lays claim to the title of the world's oldest yacht club, founded in 1720.

It is currently located in Crosshaven, Co. Cork, Ireland and is Cork Harbour’s largest yacht club and the biggest sailing club on the south coast of Ireland.

The club has an international reputation for the staging of sailing events most notable the biennial world famous Cork Week Regatta.

In 2020 RCYC celebrated its tricentenary under its Admiral Colin Morehead.

Royal Cork Yacht Club FAQs

What is the Royal Cork Yacht Club?

The Royal Cork Yacht Club is the oldest yacht club in the world, and celebrated its 300th anniversary in 2020. It is one of the World’s leading yacht clubs, and is in the forefront of all branches of sailing activity. It is the organiser of the biennial Cork Week, widely regarded as Europe’s premier sailing event. It has hosted many National, European and World Championships. Its members compete at the highest level in all branches of sailing, and the club has a number of World, Olympic, continental and national sailors among its membership.

Where is the Royal Cork Yacht Club based?

The Royal Cork Yacht club is in Crosshaven, Co Cork, a village on lower Cork Harbour some 20km south-east of Cork city centre and on the Owenabue river that flows into Cork Harbour.

When was the Royal Cork Yacht Club founded?

The club was founded as The Water Club of the Harbour of Cork in 1720, in recognition of the growing popularity of private sailing following the Restoration of King Charles II. The monarch had been known to sail a yacht on the Thames for pleasure, and his interest is said to have inspired Murrough O’Brien, the 6th Lord Inchiquin — who attended his court in the 1660s and whose grandson, William O’Brien, the 9th Lord Inchiquin, founded the club with five friends.Originally based on Haulbowline Island in inner Cork Harbour, the club moved to nearby Cobh (then Cove) in 1806, and took on its current name in 1831. In 1966 the club merged with the Royal Munster Yacht Club and moved to its current premises in Crosshaven.

What does the Royal Cork Yacht Club do?

The Royal Cork Yacht Club today encompasses a wide variety of sailing activities, from young kids in their Optimist dinghies sailing right through the winter months to the not-so-young kids racing National 18s and 1720s during the remaining nine months. There is also enthusiastic sailing in Toppers, Lasers, RS Fevas and other dinghies. The larger keelboats race on various courses set in and around the Cork Harbour area for club competitions. They also take part in events such as the Round Ireland Race, Cowes Week and the Fastnet Race. In many far off waters, right across the globe, overseas club members proudly sail under the Royal Cork burger. The club has a significant number of cruising members, many of whom are content to sail our magnificent south and west coasts. Others head north for the Scottish islands and Scandinavia. Some go south to France, Spain, Portugal and the Mediterranean. The more adventurous have crossed the Atlantic, explored little known places in the Pacific and Indian Oceans while others have circumnavigated the globe.

Who are the flag officers of the Royal Cork Yacht Club?

As of November 2020, the Admiral of the Royal Cork Yacht Club is Colin Morehead, with Kieran O’Connell as Vice-Admiral. The club has three Rear-Admirals: Annamarie Fegan for Dinghies, Daragh Connolly for Keelboats and Mark Rider for Cruising.

How many members does the Royal Cork Yacht Club have?

As of November 2020, the Royal Cork Yacht Club has approximately 1,800 members.

What are the Royal Cork Yacht Club’s burgee and ensign?

The Royal Cork Yacht Club’s burgee is a red pennant with the heraldic badge of Ireland (a stylised harp topped with a crown) at its centre. The club’s ensign has a navy blue field with the Irish tricolour in its top left corner and the heraldic badge centred on its right half.

Does the Royal Cork Yacht Club organise racing?

Yes, the Royal Cork Yacht Club organises and runs sailing events and courses for members and visitors all throughout the year and has very active keelboat and dinghy racing fleets. The club also hosts many National, European and World Championships, as well as its biennial Cork Week regatta — widely regarded as Europe’s premier sailing event.

Does the Royal Cork Yacht Club cater for youth sailing?

Yes, the Royal Cork Yacht Club has an active junior section with sailing in Optimists, Toppers and other dinghies.

Does the Royal Cork Yacht Club cater for sail training?

Charles Yes, the Royal Cork Yacht Club regularly runs junior sailing courses covering basic skills, certified by Irish Sailing.

What sailing classes does the Royal Cork Yacht Club host?

The Royal Cork hosts both keelboats and dinghies, with the 1720 Sportsboat — the club’s own design — and National 18 among its most popular. Optimists and Toppers are sailed by juniors, and the club regularly sees action in Lasers, RS Fevas, 29ers and other dinghy classes.

Does the Royal Cork Yacht Club have its own fleet?

The Royal Cork Yacht Club has a small fleet of 1720 Sportsboats available for ordinary members to charter.

What facilities does the Royal Cork Yacht Club have?

The Royal Cork Yacht Club’s Club House office can provide phone, fax, email, internet and mail holding facilities for a small charge. Club merchandise and postcards may be purchased. Showers and toilet facilities are available 24 hours a day, free of charge. Parking is plentiful and free of charge. Diesel and petrol are available on site. Marina berths are generally available for a fee payable in advance; arrangements must be made before arrival.

Does the Royal Cork Yacht Club have a bar and/or dining facilities?

Yes, the Royal Cork Yacht Club’s Club House has all of the usual facilities, including bars and restaurant, which are open during normal licensing hours. The restaurant provides a full range of meals, and sandwiches, snacks etc, are available on request.

What are the opening hours of the Royal Cork Yacht Club?

Normal working hours during the sailing season at the Royal Cork Yacht Club are 9am to 9pm daily. For enquiries contact the RCYC office on 021 483 1023 or email [email protected]

Does the Royal Cork Yacht Club host functions such as weddings, parties or corporate events?

Yes, the Royal Cork Yacht Club caters for all types of events rom weddings, anniversaries, christenings and birthday celebrations to corporate meetings, breakfast meetings, luncheons, private dinners and more. For enquiries contact the Royal Cork Yacht Club office on 021 483 1023 or email [email protected]

How do I become a member of the Royal Cork Yacht Club?

New members are invited to apply for membership of the Royal Cork Yacht Club by completing the Nomination Form (available from www.royalcork.com/membership) and returning it to The Secretary, Royal Cork Yacht Club, Crosshaven Co Cork. Nominations are first approved by the Executive Committee at its next meeting, and following a period on display for the members, and are reviewed again at the following meeting at which any objections are considered.

Do I need to own a boat to become a member of the Royal Cork Yacht Club?

No; while ordinary members of the Royal Cork Yacht Club are usually boat owners, there is no requirement to own a boat when submitting an application for membership.

How much does it cost to join the Royal Cork Yacht Club?

The annual feel for ordinary members (aged 30+) of the Royal Cork Yacht Club is €645. Family membership (two full members and all children aged 29 and under) is €975, while individuals youth (ages 19-29) and cadet (18 and under) memberships are €205. Other rates are available for seniors, associates and more. All fees quoted are as of the 2020 annual subscription rates.