#nyyc – Royal Cork Yacht Club will get the chance to fight for the New York Yacht Club Invitational Cup again in 2015, the American club confirmed today.

The Munster club's Anthony O'Leary was aiming to make it third time lucky last September in the 2013 edition but although an overall win eluded him and his 12 man crew, the skipper of the Royal Cork entry did post his best result so far, a fourth overall. It remains to be seen if any other Irish Yacht Clubs will take up the gauntlet for what the New Yorkers are now claiming is 'the world's premiere international Corinthian sailing competition'.

The only other Irish club to send an entry to the competition in its five year history is a Royal sister to the Crosshaven club, the Royal St. George Yacht Club in Dun Laoghaire but that was in the very early days of the event.

Certainly, competitors from around the globe were effusive and unanimous in their praise of the third running of this event, in Newport, R.I. last September. "There is nothing similar which has this very close class racing of identical boats," said Nick Burns of the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club. "Every time I come here I think it's the most fantastic event."

"On or off the water, no one does it like the New York Yacht Club," said Terry McLaughlin, the skipper of the two-time champion team from the Royal Canadian Yacht Club.

The fourth edition of the Invitational Cup presented by Rolex will take place Sept. 12 to 19, 2015.

"We look forward to welcoming the world's best Corinthian sailors back to Harbour Court, the New York Yacht Club's on-the-water club house and the former home of our 36th commodore, John Nicholas Brown," said New York Yacht Club Commodore Thomas J. Harrington. "The Invitational Cup is the latest chapter in the Club's century-long commitment to one-design racing. Competing in identical boats, with the final outcome depending solely on each crew's collective skill, teamwork and preparation, is one of the most elemental and satisfying aspects in all of sailing."

The Invitational Cup is a regatta for amateur sailors representing both their yacht clubs and home nations. It is a one-design regatta, utilizing the New York Yacht Club Swan 42. However, this regatta raises big-boat one-design competition to a new level. Most competitors charter boats from the regatta organizers, matched sails are provided for all competitors, and the rig tension is equalized and locked-in across the fleet. These steps collectively serve to negate many of the factors that separate the best from the rest in a traditional one-design keelboat regatta.

Winning the Invitational Cup takes pure sailing skill: the ability to start cleanly, shift gears swiftly, correctly adapt to the shifting winds and manage the rest of the fleet. With the boats so even in speed, it's not unusual for the fleet to round the first mark stacked up, bow to stern.

The goal of every team preparing for the 2015 Invitational Cup presented by Rolex will be to match the level of talent and preparation showcased by the Royal Canadian team, which has never finished worse than second in the regatta. The most recent win was anything but easy for the Canadian crew (at right). They struggled out of the gate with three sub-par races. But a string of five straight first-place finishes lifted them back into contention. McLauglin's team didn't assume the overall lead until the final race of the regatta, beating a tenacious team from Larchmont Yacht Club by 6.1 points in the overall standings. England's Royal Thames YC finished third.

#Last night's Heineken Super League Prize Giving 2013 was yet another splendid evening enjoyed by a capacity attendance at the Royal Cork Yacht Club writes Claire Bateman.. It promised to be a night of good food, and bonhomie with the climax of the presentation of trophies and other prizes by the score.

At the end of the outstanding meal and with everybody feeling relaxed and very happy judging from the sounds of conversation and laughter, it was time for the big moment of the evening.

Once more Ronan Enright, Rear Admiral Keelboats, stepped into the limelight to organise the handing out of the prizes. This commenced with the prize giving for the Leagues throughout the summer season. First on the list was the Marshall Marine Tetiles April League sponsored by Richard Marshall. Next came the UK Halsey Sailmakers May League sponsored by Des and Sue McWilliam. June saw the Union Chandlery League sponsored by John and Maeve Wallace followed by Airport View Parking July/August/September League sponsored by John and Rose Donnery and finally Marshall Marine Textiles White Sail Summer league sponsored by Lianne and Richard Marshall. In this league Peter Webster enjoyed four wins out of twenty one races and of the same twenty one races there were fourteen different winners.

Next it was the turn of the Heineken Super League prizes to be handed out and our genial Admiral Peter Deasy stepped up to the mark for this pleasant task. The recipients of their prizes received very nice white bags bulging with club merchandise but we did not see what was in the bags. However, awe have no doubt they contained some very smart items indeed. Also in the Super League were The Phelans trophies for both IRC and ECHO and these lovely items were won by Frank Doyle in Endgame.

On then to the mouth watering Trophies, quite a few of which have to be retained in the club for security purposes but at least the winners can enjoy their photographs holding them as these are very old, prestigious and valuable items.

MAY
IRC WS : Atlantic Fleet Galleon Trophy: Batt O'Leary, Sweet Dreams
IRC Class 3: Clytie Cup Trophy: David Lane/Sinead Enright, An tOiléanach
IRC Class2: Harold Cudmore Trophy: Bad Company, Desmond/Ivers/Deasy
IRC Class 1: H.Harling Hayes Trophy: Conor and Denise Phelan, Jump Juice
JUNE
IRC Class 3: Bayona Trophy: Kieran O'Connell/Graham Marron, Bandit
IRC Class 2: Hugh Smith Barry Trophy: Len Donnery, No Gnomes
IRC Class 1: Sans Souci Trophy: Ian Nagle, Jelly Baby
JULY
WS First Sloop Flotilla Trophy: Bryan Heffernan, Aisling
Class 3: Camden Challenge Trophy: David Lane/Sinead Enright, AntOiléanach
Class 2: Belleville Cup Trophy: Clem and Wendy McElligott, Sea Hawk
Class 1: H.Howard Gould Trophy: Derry and Hilda Good, Exhale
JULY
WS Admiral Doyle Plate Trophy: Peter Webster, Thistle
Class 3: Muckley Trophy: David Lane/Sinead Enright, An tOiléanach
Class 2: Smelter Valley Trophy: Desmond/Ivers/Deasy, Bad Company
Class 1: Breffni McGovern Trophy: Derry and Hilda Good, Exhale

The presentation of the eagerly awaited and most coveted trophies then took place:
The Martin McDonnell Trophy was presented by Julianne McDonnell to Mark Reardon as skipper of the yacht which contributed most to the spirit and enjoyment of white sail racing.
The Doyle Family Trophy for the beset overseas performance was presented by Ingrid Doyle to David Kenefick for his outstanding achievements in the French Professional offshore solo sailing circuit, his participation in La Solitaire du Figaro, the Fastnet two handed race the Generali Solo and best Rookie of the year.

The final trophy was for Boat of the Year and the winner was Antix, Anthony O'Leary for his Class Zero win at ICRA and his 1720 National Championship win plus his participation representing RCYC at the NYYC Rolex Invitational.

Finally, Admiral Peter Deasy on behalf of the club accepted a presentation of a framed photograph from David Kenefick representing David's outstanding achievements for the season to date.
David then spoke of his 24 year old friend Nathan Kirwan, who is well known to many members of the RCYC. Nathan suffered a broken neck earlier this year and is making progress that could never have been envisaged without his great fighting spirit that has kept him going. Indeed it was only yesterday that David's brother George and others had got Nathan out in a RIB to watch the racing in Dublin. Nathan is due to leave the National Rehabilitation Centre, Dunlaoghaire, next Saturday to go to Barcelona for further specialised treatment and hopes are high for major further advances in his recovery. A novel feature of the RCYC Autumn League just gone by was the introduction of an excellent idea to raise further funds for the Nathan Kirwan Trust and to this end each boat skipper was given an envelope for voluntary contributions from crews. This resulted in the magnificent sum of €4000.00 being raised for the Nathan Kirwan Trust and reflects a great spirit of generosity and well being towards Nathan on behalf of all those who contributed.

#London2K - Royal Cork Yacht Club's team finished a respectable fifth in the Royal Thames Invitational 2K Team Racing Regatta over the weekend.

Eight teams from around Europe took part in the event from 25-27 October that featured two-boat keelboat team racing using J80-type boats at the Queen Mary Sailing Club, near Heathrow Airport.

Fred Cudmore and Rob O’Leary led Ireland's first ever entry in the 2K tour, with team members Ross Deasy, Phil O’Leary, Sarah O’Leary, Jamie Donegan, Emma Geary and Eimear O’Leary.

And they distinguished themselves in a challenging field against the likes of current UK dinghy team racing champions Sam Littlejohn and Tom Hebbert of first place Spinnaker Auspicious.

#rcyc – There was a wild finale to CH Marine Autumn League followed by a brilliant night at the Royal Cork Yacht Club writes Claire Bateman.

The final day dawned with high winds and rain as had been forecast. However, the stalwarts still gathered at the club to see what was going to be the outcome and what decisions would be taken by the race Committee. There were coffees and smokes aplenty with some of the hardier veterans even downing a few pints while awaiting a decision. Meanwhile the seas were crashing and banging and the wind continued to howl.

The decision was taken to postpone and the AP flew. At 12 noon race Officer Peter Crowley headed to sea in Sparetime and was registering gusts of 43 knots and could not even get his anchor to hold. However, at 1.30pm it was decided to have a go as the wind was down to 20 knots and by the time the required waiting period of one hour had passed the wind had abated to some 17 knots so it was all systems go for one race with all fleets to remain in the harbour. Classes 1,2, and 3 raced under Peter Crowley with Class 4, whitesail and 1720s racing with Barry Rose.

Speaking with John Doran, who sails on Jump Juice, at the prizegiving dinner that took place last night, he gave a graphic description of what it was like to be waiting for the chance to race in the afternoon and the palpable relief when it was finally established they could go to sea. He said they enjoyed a wonderful race and were very glad they had waited. While it was still gusty, the clouds broke and slowly the sun began to appear and finally broke through to give a glorious couple of hours to allow the sailors to enjoy wonderful sailing and those who had stuck it out and waited were indeed fortunate to have had this last race of the League to enjoy.

Now to the evening of pure enjoyment, camaraderie and the chance to chat with many old friends. It is quite a fair while since we have enjoyed such an evening at the Royal Cork. For whatever reason last night turned into something very special. The club was jointed and I don't think it would even have been possible to get space for a fly on the roof. It was the Royal Cork at its best as remembered by so many people. No wonder Admiral Peter Deasy had a beatific smile on his face as he went among the tables greeting everybody and being met with beaming faces and indeed comments from all about the wonderful meal which was outstanding and compliments to Anthony McCann and to the chefs for the evening who had prepared such a sumptuous repast.

Then to the eagerly awaited prize giving. As usual the prizes provided by the Sponsor CH Marine were excellent and received by the lucky recipients with great delight. Ronan Enright, Rear Admiral Saiing did his usual brilliant job on handling this part of the event and also, sadly for the club, announced his retirement from this onerous office at the end of his current term. There is no doubt he will be greatly missed and whoever fills his shoes will have a hard act to follow. Hopefully, his talents will not be lost to the sailing scene. Sponsor of the event, Nick Bendon, of CH Marine also spoke of pleased he was with the event and thanked all those involved for their hard work in making the event the success it was and singled out Miriam McMahon for all her efforts before and during the League.

Barry O'Connor, Commodore of Waterford Harbour Sailing Club also spoke briefly but eloquently about their new pontoon and slipway and the welcome that visiting yachtsmen would receive and those who are just passing through by road would always be most welcome to come and enjoy the facilities. The Raiders from WHSC have been faithful supporters of the Autumn league for many years and have enjoyed many successes.

Thus ended the formalities of a most enjoyable evening.

Results: HERE

#rcyc – The penultimate day of Royal Cork's CH Marine Autumn League could only be described as a topsy turvy for sailing in Cork Harbour writes Claire Batman.

One moment the rain was bucketing down, next minute there was nothing and the wind in the harbour had gone with it. Even before the sailors got out to the course at all they had been trying to get into their sailing gear in the backs of cars, vans and any other shelter in the car park they could get in the thunderous rain.

All fleets with the exception of One and Two were sailing inside the harbour but it is to Peter Crowley and his race team on Sparetime I will go to first.

The committee boat was set up using No. 3 as the Pin End and a laid mark off Ringabella as the weather mark and there was a good breeze at this portion of the harbour.

With a 4.2m tide and a start an hour short of low water it made for a boisterous sea. From the weather mark at Ringabella there was a run to E1 then to No. 5 and then to take No. 3 to starboard. Unfortunately a 50 degree windshift took place which upset the best laid plans of mice and men but such is life when yacht racing.

In the second race conditions were much lighter and had changed considerably and a windward/leeward course was set up but bringing the boats into the harbour to No. 7 followed by a fetch to a finish off the cage. Fools Gold now leads IRC 1 on 12 points after eight races while in Class 2 IRC Shane Statham's Slack Alice is leading on 14 points.

The other fleets all sailed inside the harbour with Barry Rose as race officer. IN IRC 3 Kieran Collins has a slender lead of one point from Finbarr Dorgan's No Half Measures. In the Sigma Class Seahawk and Flyover had 10 points each, Seahawk counting a 2 and a 1 today and Flyover counting a 1 and a 2.

In Class 4 Sundancer is on 8 points while Shelly D is on 15 point with Thistle on 17 points but counting a 1 and a 2 today.

In whitesail IRC Michael Wallace's Felix is on 10 points while Conor O'Donovan's X-tension is on 15.

The final two races of the series will take place next Saturday followed by a prizegiving dinner at 7pm. FG 11.55

#rcyc – Cork photographer Suzanne Ravenhill captured this amazing incident from Cobh waterfront yesterday when CH Marine Autumn League competitors Manzantina (IRL 2076) with blue and white spinnaker and Chancer (IRL 1583) met in the first race of the Royal Cork league in Cork Harbour. No one was hurt in the incident, according to Suzanne. We understand only a spreader was broken but a thorough rig inspection on both boats is to be carried out.

Amy McCarthy, crew member on Chancer, adds:

The incident occurred when Manzanita was on a run towards Chancer who was on a beat.

Both boats were on port. As Manzanita was closest to the wind she had to give way to Chancer.

Manzanita came up to avoid us but as they passed us they may have heeled over more than expected for the room given; we are unsure. Resulting from this the top of their rigging got caught in the starboard sidestay above the upper spreaders on Chancer.

This resulted in the two boats rotating together in which Manzanita's bow raised up significantly (see photo)and their transom was buried in the water. At this point there was silence as both boats spun together. Manzanita's bow then went across our transom at which Brian Carroll, skipper, had to push it off.

We de-powered our sails and at that point the rigging sprung clear, ripping the sidestay from our spreader. Manzanita's pit was completely immersed in water at which
point the skipper was quickly bailing.

All crew were safe and unharmed.

Both boats retired from the race. Chancer has had to withdraw from part or all of the league depending on the level of damage done to the rigging. I am unaware of any damage done to Manzanita.

#rcyc – Scroll down for more photos from the lens of Bob Bateman from yesterday's first race of the CH Marine sponsored Autumn league at Royal Cork Yacht Club in Cork Harbour.

#juniorallireland – Former Optimist star Seáfra Guilfolyle sailing with Richard McGinley from Royal Cork Yacht Club outwitted two Irish world sailing champions today to be crowned the 2013 Junior All Ireland Sailing Championship after a close nine race regatta at Schull Harbour in West Cork. Full results downloadable below as a jpeg file.

Going in to the medal race Guilfoyle was tied on points at the top of the leader board with Finn Lynch, who only two weeks ago won the U21 Laser Radial World Championships. But a fourth for Seáfra in the medal race was enough to put him two points clear of Finn to claim the prestigious title. 

The championship got under way at the Fastnet Marine OEC in Schull, Co. Cork yesterday (Saturday) where the initial five scheduled races were successfully sailed and concluded today with three further fleets races followed by a double points medal race for the top 10 boats. 23 of Ireland’s top young sailors take to the water in locally built TR3.6 dinghies.

Racing began this morning in light to moderate winds in Schull Harbour. Finn and his crew Florence Lyden had been the overnight leaders but dropped back to third after the first race while Darragh O’Sullivan, and his teammate Anna O’Regan took the lead with Seáfra and Richard McGinley in the silver medal position. Only three points separated the three sailors and with two more fleet races and a double points medal race yet to be sailed, every move and tactical decision would be critical. 

Proving just how tight the competition was, it was Seáfra won took pole position with a bullet in Race 7 knocking Darragh back to third place while Finn moved up to take second overall. And the battle continued during Race 8 when a win for Finn meant both he and Seáfra were tied on 21 points with only the medal race left as the decider. 

Competitors at the ISA All Ireland Junior Sailing Championships in Schull Photo: Michael Mac Sweeney/Provision

Both Seáfra and Finn got off to a tricky start in the medal race. They, along with Darragh, were towards the back putting them in the difficult position of having to climb up the fleet. But with a wealth of skills and international experience the talented sailors worked the conditions improving their positions. At the end, Seáfra couldn’t quite reach the top three but a fourth place finish was enough to beat Finn’s fifth giving him the Gold with a two point lead. 

Commenting on his win Seáfra enthused “The medal race was really nerve-wracking especially having Finn so close to me the whole time but I’m really happy with how I sailed. I’m delighted with the outcome and I’m looking forward to getting to compete at the Senior All Irelands next month in Howth”. 

#nyyc– Anthony O'Leary was aiming to make it third time lucky at the New York Invitational Cup yesterday but although an overall win eluded him and his 12 man crew, the skipper of the Royal Cork entry did post his best result so far, a fourth overall writes Louay Habib. The Irish national cruiser champion had previously finished fifth and eighth in the first two editions of this corinthian event. Final results downloadable below as a pdf document.

Twenty yacht clubs from 13 different countries enjoyed some sensational racing at the 2013 Invitational Cup presented by Rolex. However, on the final day of the regatta, the lack of wind frustrated the competitors and race officers alike. The race committee tried every trick in the book to get some racing in and initially they succeeded by taking the fleet offshore, where 10 knots of breeze filled in from the South at around 1400 local time for Race 11.

Larchmont YC (at right) knew before that start that this would be the only race of the day and the team from New York wasted no time in harassing the regatta leader, Royal Canadian Yacht Club. In the pre-start the two yachts were prowling around each other in an attempt to force a penalty. At the start, Larchmont YC managed to get over the top of Royal Canadian Yacht Club, forcing them to the unfavored right side of the course and for a time, Larchmont YC looked like they might be able to put enough boats in between them and the Canadian team to win the regatta. However, at the top mark, two yachts were penalized and Royal Canadian YC made up a few places there before capitalizing on free air to make even more gains on the run. By the bottom mark, Royal Canadia YC was ahead of Larchmont YC on the water.

As quickly as the breeze had materialized, it vanished, and the race was abandoned, much to the frustration of Royal Hong Kong YC, which was way out in front.

Tonight, the New York Yacht Club will host the Awards Ceremony for the 2013 Invitational Cup presented by Rolex and the Royal Canadian Yacht Club will be awarded the Invitational Cup trophy for the second consecutive time. Larchmont Yacht Club finished second with Royal Thames in third, the highest finish ever for a European club.

#corkweek – Royal Cork Yacht Club's Rear Admiral John Roche is to Chair Cork Week 2014, scheduled to run from July 5th to 11th next year.