The number of entries for June's O'Leary Insurance Group Sovereign's Cup exceeded the target of 50 boats over the weekend.

As Afloat reported last month, there was an immediate uptake for the even when entries. The current entry list is available here.

Kinsale's Regatta Director Anthony O'Neill and his organising committee have closed the online entry system until further notice. The Government's Covid-19 Pandemic restrictions and guidelines will now be closely monitored to determine if more boats may be accommodated in the event.

Kinsale Yacht Club says a regatta waiting list has now been set-up and any boat interested should email Anthony O'Neill at [email protected] stating Boat Name, Sail No., Rating, Owners Name and Club.

Kinsale Yacht Club is now operating a waiting list for its June Sovereign's Cup Regatta Photo: Bob Bateman

KYC say the calibre of boats taking part in June has not been affected by the lower number of entrants necessitated by Covid-19.

Coastal Division

In the Coastal Division, Conor Doyle's Xp50 Freya, the biggest boat in the fleet, along with Tom Roche's Salona 45 Meridian, both from KYC are potential winners.

Ahead of the regatta, Doyle's crew will have honed their boat-handling skills in the Dun Laoghaire to Race earlier in June.

Conor Doyle's Xp50 Freya from the host club Photo: Afloat

Other Sovereign's Cup regatta boats that will also have benefitted from the D2D race will be George Sisk's Xp44 WOW, Denis and Annamarie Murphy's Grand Soleil 40 Nieulargo, and the Burke/Lemass/Rigley team's Beneteau First 40 Prima Forte. These bigger boats will be joined by two other smaller boats, also competing in the D2D which are Johnny Treanor's Grand Soleil JustTina and David Riome/Mark Leonard's Valfreya from the host club.

Dublin J109s 

In IRC Zero, Conor Phelan's Ker 37 Jump Juice and Niall Dowling's Ker 40+ Arabella are sure to feature strongly. In IRC 1 the J109's are set to repeat their 2019 'Battle of Kinsale' with Richard Colwell/John Murphy's Outrajeous, Simon Knowles' Indian and the Shanahan Family's Ruth.

Simon Knowles' J109 Indian from Howth Yacht Club will compete in IRC One of the Sovereign's Cup Photo: Afloat

These along with Paul and Deirdre Tingle's X-34 Alpaca will be expected to do well as like the bigger boats in the Coastal Division they are also competing in the D2D race.

Eight Half Tonners will race in IRC 2 division of the Sovereign's Cup 2021 Photo: Bob Bateman

Eight Half Tonners Sign Up

In IRC 2 no less than eight Half Tonners will be participating. George Radley's Cortegada will be making the trip over to Kinsale from Cobh in Cork Harbour to take on the seven entries from Dublin Bay. Among those will be the 2019 IRC 2 winner Nigel Biggs in Checkmate XVIII and 2019 Irish Half Ton Cup winners Michael Wright and Rick DeNeve in Mata.

Nigel Biggs in Checkmate XVIII

White Sails

The White Sail Divisions will be book-ended by KYC's James Matthews' new acquisition Fiscala, a Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 49, and the biggest boat in White Sail.

In White Sail IRC2, will be the smallest boat Shillelagh, a Blazer 23 owned by Kinsale Yacht Club Ex-Commodore and former Sovereign's Cup winner John Twomey.

All in all, there should be intriguing racing in the battles not just for the individual class titles but for The Sovereign's Cup, the Portcullis Trophy and the Michelle Dunn Prix d'Elegance Trophy which are the perpetual trophies awarded for the best overall performing boat in IRC, the best overall performance in Echo and the best-presented boat at the event.

Registration is now open for the 2021 O'Leary Insurance Group Sovereigns Cup which will take place 23rd to 26th June in Kinsale Yacht Club, click here to enter online.

Participants will sail in Classes 0, 1, 2, Coastal and White Sail under PRO Jack Roy and RO Peter Crowley.

Due to the uncertainty around Covid-19 the event will be limited to 50 boats as outlined by Anthony O'Neill, Regatta Director. "Our reason for making this revision to our plans for the event is driven by the potential uncertainty of the Covid-19 pandemic and the restrictions that may be required at different times during 2021. We are taking the prudent approach that will allow maximum flexibility to proceed with the event given the capacity of our clubhouse and marina."

With a limit of 50 boats, early entry is essential.

If KYC have no option but to cancel the event all competitors will be refunded their entry fees in full.

There are only a few harbours in Ireland where you get the feeling that the land is effortlessly embracing the sea rather than endlessly battling it, but Kinsale is undoubtedly one of them.

The picturesque port town provides a gentle interaction which is emphasised at Christmas, when the long nights bring the opportunity for the festive lights afloat and ashore to blend with one another in a maritime display of faith, hope and love.

Boats at Kinsale marina are lit up for Christmas 2020. Photo by KYC Commodore Mike Walsh

The details of a revised plan for the O'Leary Insurance Group Sovereign's Cup 2021 have been published by Kinsale Yacht Club together with a Notice of Race (NOR).

The Notice of Race is downloadable below as a PDF document (2mb)

Sovereign's Cup Regatta Director Anthony O'Neill has outlined how plans for the event, which is to take place from 23rd to 26th June 2021, have been revised and the reasons for doing so.

"We are all only too aware of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and the restrictions necessary to curtail the spread of infection. We also know that this has led to the cancellation of many planned events this year. Given the potential uncertainty of the Covid-19 pandemic and the restrictions that may be required at the time of this event, the target number of entries will be 50 boats".

This total number of boats may, at the discretion of the Organising Authority (KYC), be increased in order to have a reasonable number of boats in each division and at the same time remain compliant with Covid-19 guidelines in effect at the time of the event. It is intended that boats will be participating in IRC Classes 0, 1, 2, Coastal and White-sail.

Our reason for making this revision to our plans for the event is driven by the potential uncertainty of the Covid-19 pandemic and the restrictions that may be required at different times during 2021. We are taking the prudent approach that will allow maximum flexibility to proceed with the event given the capacity of our clubhouse and marina.

In addition, our clubhouse may be restricted to booked table service only for food and beverages. Given that our marina is in the town we are confident that the local hotels, restaurants and bars will cater for the participants not accommodated in our clubhouse.

If the prevailing Covid-19 restrictions next June are such that we have no option but to cancel the event all competitors will be refunded their entry fees in full.

Registration opens on January 5th here

Listen to Sovereign's Cup Regatta Director Anthony O'Neill's July podcast with Tom MacSweeney here

Tralee Bay Sailing Club's Paddy Cunnane leads an 11-strong Standard division at a 60-boat Munster Laser Championships in Kinsale Yacht Club. 

The Kerry solo sailor leads Royal Cork Yacht Club Master Nick Walsh by dint of his victory in the last race of four sailed yesterday. 

Walsh's clubmate Edward Rice, another Master sailor, lies third.

Significantly, the KYC event, under Race Officer John Stallard, sailed enough races on the first day to constitute a championship in case today's big wind forecast cancels the championships.

The Laser sailors gather for the KYC briefing ahead of the Munster Championships Photo: Bob Bateman

4.7s

In the 4.7 division, youth James Dwyer tops the leaderboard on three points, the former Optimist ace is the first of nine Royal Cork Yacht Club boats that dominate the 26-boat fleet. Second is Harry Twomey on 6 points with Justin Lucas third on ten points.

Radials

The host club's Micheal O'Suilleabhain on three points leads the Radials by four points from RCYC's Michael Crosbie. Jonathan O'Shaughnessy lies third on nine points. 

As Afloat reported earlier, the dinghy class proceeded with its County Cork Championship on a restricted basis and asked Dublin and Donegal sailors, currently under Level 3 Covid partial lockdown, not to attend.

Results are here

Bob Bateman's Laser Munsters Photo Slideshow

Finbarr O'Regan's Elan 333 leads IRC One in the Kinsale Yacht Club 'Mary P' September Saturday Series for cruisers after yesterday's first light airs race. O'Regan leads Thomas Roche's Salona 45 Meridien in second. Third from four starters is Conor Doyle's Xp 50, Freya. 

In IRC Two, the Sigma 33 Valfreya (Riome & Leonard) leads Padraig O'Donovan's Fastnet 34 Chameleon. 

The ECHO White Sail division is led by John Twomey's Blazer 23, Shillelagh.

Dave Sullivan sailing the XC42 Cimarron is second in the White Sail Fleet in the Mary P September league Photo: Bob Bateman

The results are here

Bob Bateman's Kinsale Yacht Club September Series Day One Slideshow below

Kinsale Yacht Club has announced that the Cantor Fitzgerald Dragon Week, which was scheduled to take place in lieu of the earlier Gold Cup event has now also been cancelled.

Speaking of the announcement, Matthias Hellstern, Rear Commodore of Kinsale Yacht Club stated "It's a real shame that we have to cancel another Dragon event in Kinsale, however, we looked closely at the new Government restrictions and felt that we really couldn't work within the guidelines and still provide an exceptional event, which Kinsale is noted for. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Cantor Fitzgerald for their support and of our decision. We very much look forward to working with them again in the near future".

Daniel Murphy of Cantor Fitzgerald added "As a Dragon sailor, I am really disappointed that Dragon Week is cancelled. I know Kinsale Yacht Club had put so much plans in place for the week and its volunteers had once again come to the fore, to ensure its success. However, given where we are with regard to this Covid-19 pandemic, we fully support Kinsale Yacht Club's decision".

A nine boat fleet started tonight off the Charles Fort line in the SCORA and Kinsale Yacht Club 100-mile Fastnet Race.

As previously reported, the fleet was a mix of south coast cruisers, including three from Royal Cork, mixed with some high powered entries that had their sights on next month's now-cancelled Round Ireland Race.

Annamarie and Denis Murphy's Grand Soliel 40, Nieulargo was first out of the harbour in a 10-12 knot south-westerly breeze.

Download the full entry list below for the UK Sailmakers Ireland sponsored race.

Among the front runners for the 100-mile race is Nieulargo that was also racing last night in Royal Cork's July league in Cork Harbour. Also starting as a contender was Cian McCarthy's new Sunfast 3300, Cinnamon Girl that attracted a lot of interest from spectators.

Making the trip from Dublin Bay was John Treanor's Grand Soleil 34 Justina from the National Yacht Club.

KYC will award the Fastnet Trophy to the yacht with the lowest corrected time in IRC. The Ocean Trophy shall be awarded to the yacht with the second-lowest corrected time in IRC. The Minihane Trophy shall be awarded to the yacht with the lowest corrected time in Echo.

The race time limit is 1500 hours on Saturday.

Following the recent announcement of the Cantor Fitzgerald Dragon Week, enquires and interest has steadily been making their way back to the Kinsale fleet in West Cork.

Kinsale Yacht Club is hopeful that the “green list” will allow UK travel by September as several UK teams have indicated their intention to travel.

Kinsale Yacht Club dragon sailors should have seven boats competing with long time Dragon campaigner Cameron Good along with his crew on “Little Fella” will be hoping to lift the National title, the one championship that has eluded this team over their illustrious career

Other Kinsale hopefuls will be the Goggin/ Murphy team on “Serafina” along with “TBD” made up of experienced campaigners James Matthews, Dave Good and Fergal O’Hanlon.

Glandore Harbour has indicated that five teams are hopeful of making the short journey down the coast and no doubt multiple national championship winners “Phanton” from Dublin will be in Kinsale to defend their crown. The class rumour mill has also been in overdrive recently with suggestions that Royal St. George's Michael Cotter together with Belfast Lough's Simon Brien and Davy Gomes are to sail the Dragon, “Whisper” for the week!

The “Cantor Fitzgerald Dragon Week” will run in the following format:

• South Coat Championships - Saturday 5th – Monday 7th September
• Lay Day – Tuesday 8th September
• National Championships – Wednesday 9th – Saturday 12th September

Yachts that were aiming to compete in the now-cancelled Round Ireland Race are among an expected 12-boat line-up that will contest tonight's Kinsale Yacht Club Fastnet Race sponsored by UK Sailmakers Ireland.

Among the front runners for the 100-mile race are Annamarie and Denis Murphy's Grand Soliel 40, Nieulargo that was also racing last night in Royal Cork's July league in Cork Harbour. Also starting as a contender is Cian McCarthy's new Sunfast 3300, Cinnamon Girl.

Making the trip from Dublin Bay is John Treanor's Grand Soleil 34 Justina from the National Yacht Club.

John Treanor's Justina has made the trip from Dublin Bay for the KYC Fastnet Race Photo: Afloat

Kinsale entries are expected to include Finbarr O'Regan's Artful Dodger and Tom Roche's Meridian.

The race will have an all-in start with the first gun at 6.25 pm off the Charles Fort line.

KYC will award the Fastnet Trophy to the yacht with the lowest corrected time in IRC. The Ocean Trophy shall be awarded to the yacht with the second-lowest corrected time in IRC. The Minihane Trophy shall be awarded to the yacht with the lowest corrected time in Echo. If

The forecast is for light to medium south-west winds.