Cork Harbour sailors are being offered a different opportunity this season – to turn left rather than right when they leave Roches’ Point at the mouth of the harbour…
This will be a new departure for Cork Harbour boats.
Apart from the annual race to Ballycotton, which was revived in 2017, they have mostly turned westwards to Kinsale and onto West Cork when racing.
Derry Good's Xhale is a regular offshore sailor from SCORA having previously competed in Gas Rigs Race Photo: Bob Bateman
The South Coast Offshore Racing Association (SCORA) has included a new Coastal Race to dominate the June Bank Holiday Weekend for Cork Harbour sailors when Great Island Sailing Club will run a race to Dunmore East on the Waterford coastline.
“We are really happy to be running this race,” said South Offshore Racing Association Commodore Johanna Murphy, also Commodore at the Great Island Sailing Club in Cobh. “It’s the first time in many years that SCORA has ventured East for a race and Waterford Harbour Sailing Club will put on a great reception for all boats taking part.”’
The plan is to start the race at 8 a.m. on Saturday, June 1, at Roche’s Point.
Waterford Harbour Sailing Club will finish it at Dunmore East.
On the following day the SCORA Plan is for the Cork Harbour fleet to stop in Youghal for lunch to see the new pontoon they have on offer, according to Commodore Murphy.
The SCORA calendar for the season includes the Kinsale Spring Series, which starts this Sunday; Calves Week in Schull and the RCYC Autumn Series. The ‘Offshore League’ includes the Kinsale/Fastnet Race, the race to Dunmore East and the Kinsale/Baltimore ‘feeder’ race to Calves Week.
All White Sail Classes will be included in the SCORA Leagues, as well as the Spinnaker boats.
“SCORA ran a Sailwave Results software training day at the RCYC and Kinsale YC ran an evening about Class handicap bands,” according to the SCORA Commodore. “Also this year SCORA will be providing online registration for all boats wishing to race in any SCORA League. It will be mandatory to complete this form to be eligible for a result in 2019.”
The SCORA Committee, led by Commodore Johanna Murphy includes club representatives: Cian McCarthy of Kinsale YC; Mel Collins RCYC; Michael Murphy Treasurer/Schull Harbour SC; Henry Jeffries Monkstown Bay SC; Rene Wuben, Waterford Harbour SC and Kieran Dorgan Cove SC.
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