#royalcork – At the recent Annual General Meeting of the Royal Cork Yacht Club, James O'Sullivan, Past President of the Cork Business Association and Former Governor General of the Lions Club was elected to the position of Rear Admiral of Cruising at the Crosshaven club. Last month RCYC's Ronan Enright was elected Commodore of the South Coast Offshore Racing Association (SCORA) at the cruiser racing association's agm at Kinsale Yacht Club.

#royalcork – The Annual General Meeting of the Royal Cork Yacht Club took place last night and attracted a capacity attendance writes Claire Bateman. Outgoing Admiral Peter Deasy and his team took the meeting through the business of 2013 before handing over to the incoming Admiral, Pat Lyons and his team.

Admiral Pat Lyons then paid tribute to the work of the former Admiral and said " at this time it would be remiss of me not to acknowledge the work done by the 2012-13 Executive Committee, so ably led by Peter Deasy. I want to thank him for giving me the opportunity to serve as his Vice-Admiral and for proposing me as Admiral, and I would ask you all to join with me in thanking him and all of the outgoing Executive for their hard work during the past two years."

Over time, Members have encouraged the hosting of major events within our Club and the 2014 season will witness a response the these demands. For 2014, we host three major events. These are:

The prestigious ISAF Women's Worlds Match Racing Championships, which take place in the first week of June Cork Week, which commences on Monday, July 7th, and The Irish Optimist National Championships, which will be held during the third week of August, and which promises to bring significant numbers of junior sailors and their families to our Club

The success of such major events is dependent to a significant on voluntary effort and I encourage all Members to become involved in facilitating and supporting these events, so as to showcase the well earned reputation of Royal Cork as a location for major national and international sailing events.

Looking farther into the future, during 2013, former Admiral Deasy commenced a process of addressing the Club's 300th Anniversary, which takes place in just six year's time, in 2020. To date, several informal meetings have taken place with a small number of members aimed at capturing a range of ideas relevant to celebrating and marking this unique and auspicious event. It is my plan to formalise and accelerate this process over the coming months and we will be inviting widespread participation from across all sectors of the membership base in this process.

The success of such major events is dependent to a significant on voluntary effort and I encourage all Members to become involved in facilitating and supporting these events, so as to showcase the well earned reputation of Royal Cork as a location for major national and international sailing events."

The Admiral then spoke on issues of membership and other related matter and outlined his ideas for same that would be further discussed with his Executive team.

Concluding his address I quote "As I said at the beginning, these are challenging times for our Club, but they are also exciting times. And as we begin to emerge from the past few difficult years, it is my hope that we can look forward to an exciting future. Doing so will require work, effort and perseverance. Not just by the members of the Executive and the designated Sub-committees and staff who work so hard on our behalf, but by you the Members.

As a Club, our strength is drawn from its Members, from their commitment, their loyalty and their support.

For 2014, can I urge you to pledge your own commitment and support to the Club of which we are all justifiably proud? It is through your support, commitment and loyalty that its continued future will be delivered. "

#scora – Royal Cork Yacht Club's Ronan Enright was elected Commodore of the South Coast Offshore Racing Association (SCORA) at the cruiser racing association's agm at Kinsale Yacht Club at the weekend writes Claire Bateman.

Following two years at the helm of SCORA the very popular and hard working Vinnie O'Shea RCYC stepped down as SCORA Commodore and Ronan Enright of RCYC, proposed by the outgoing Commodore and seconded by John Stallard of KY was elected This was followed by the election of the three class captains resulting as follows: Class 1 Sean Hanley RCYC, Class 2 Pat Salter KYC and Class 3 Kieran O'Connell RCYC. The new Commodore then outlined the structure of SCORA and went through the programme for 2014.

The ICRA item on promotion of crew training and how to increase participation in cruiser racing was dealt with in a very professional manner by Denis Kiely who gave what can only be described as an impassioned presentation on the subject. This was listened to with great intensity by the large attendance and responded to with views from the various clubs. The study on this item is very much ongoing and ICRA will publish more detail as they study the matter and firm up on plans.

The attendance then enjoyed a slide show presentation and complimentary finger food before the presentation of the prizes.

The meeting was very well attended with representatives from Clubs all over the south coast with strong contingents from Waterford, Schull, Cove SC, Kinsale YC and of course RCYC and it was very heartening to see the interest displayed on all sides. SCORA is alive and well and new Commodore Enright is not about to delay as he has already announced plans to get the show on the road by holding a meeting very quickly with the Class Captains to get plans moving for 2014.

#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.