Simon Coveney of Crosshaven is "Sailor of the Month (Offshore)" for July

1st August 2024

Former Minister for Defence Simon Coveney, skippering the Defence Forces crew with his right-hand sailing man Brian Matthews aboard a J/109 at the 2024 Beaufort Cup as part of Volvo Cork Week

Freedom of the seas. Recently retired Government Minister Simon Coveney revelling in the practical skills of helming a J/109 to success Credit: James Tomlinson

Competitors in Volvo Cork Week 2024 thought they'd quite a rugged time following the main programme, even though they were in port every night. But the select Services groups competing for the Beaufort Cup had the full menu, including a night at sea bashing their way around the Fastnet Rock. This was against some tough competition, including the cream of the Crosshaven Lifeboat crew racing the formidable Nieulargo.

Regularly showing ahead of this kind of competition was quite something. But former Minister for Defence Simon Coveney, skippering the Defence Forces crew with his right-hand sailing man Brian Matthews aboard a J/109, brought a real team together from disparate branches of the Defence Forces, and did the business in style.

Published in Sailor of the Month, Cork Week, Royal Cork YC

Published in Sailor of the Month

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Sailor of the Month

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