"We have a lot of quick boats entered, and it's going to be a very competitive and hotly-contested league," predicts the Royal Cork's Rear Admiral for Keelboats, Daragh Connolly, as he assembles fleet arrangements for the Autumn League, which begins at the Crosshaven club on Sunday.
There will be two races each Sunday for all fleets with First Gun at 11.25 a.m.
Conor Phelan's Ker Jump Juice has recovered from the hull drama that beset her prior to this month's ICRA Nationals on Dublin Bay and is looking forward to Autumn competition on home waters Photo: Bob Bateman
A variety of courses is planned using Windward/Leeward, Round-the-Cans and Coastal. The number of classes into which the fleets will be divided will be finalised when entries close this Friday. Over 40 boats have entered so far.
Making her return to Cork from the Dublin Bay J109 Nationals last weekend, Brian Jones's Jelly Baby is an RCYC Autumn League stalwart Photo: Bob Bateman
Fleets will be split into groupings depending on the number of entries. These groups are expected to be: Group A Class 0, Class 1 & Class 2; Group B 1720s/Sports boats/Dayboats; Group C. White Sail 1 and 2.
The winner of the RCYC July League, Mike McCann's Etchells 22 Don't Dilly Dally is entered for the Autumn Series Photo: Bob Bateman
Racing will be inside and outside Cork Harbour.
Valid 2021 IRC and ECHO rating certificates are required.
The 1720 fleet will be competing for European honours in Waterford this weekend but are expected to join the Autumn league in subsequent weeks Photo: Bob Bateman
"If club racing is anything to go by, there will be strong battles for the top places," says Connolly. "These were seen in the club's Tercentenary At Home Regatta. in the Cobh-to Blackrock Race and in the Navy Race, so the scene is well set for a great Autumn League, sponsored by AIB, which has given great support to sailing. From the start next Sunday to the end of October, the rivalry between boats will make for great competition."
The Bolero Bandit is an Autumn league regular Photo: Bob Bateman
The Autumn League is an Open event with boats and fleets from other clubs taking part.
Daragh Connolly is my Podcast guest this week and describes the fleet that will be competing. It is a big change from last year when the Covid pandemic impacted the League.
PODCAST here
