Beaufort Cup Fastnet Race at Cork Week Regatta Gets off to a Gentle Start in Cork Harbour

11th July 2022

The 2022 Beaufort Cup gets underway in Cork Harbour in light airs. The International Inter-Service Sailing Regatta is hosted by the Royal Cork Yacht Club and supported by the Irish Defence Forces Credit: Bob Bateman

The first race of Cork Week 2022 got underway this morning (Monday, July 11) in light airs and slack water from the Naval base at Haulbowline in Cork Harbour.

Royal Cork Race Officer Clem McElligott positioned at the base's Signal Turret briefed Beaufort Cup competitors by VHF radio on their course to the Fastnet Rock and back in some decidedly light air conditions.

The Beaufort Cup fleet prepare to start the Fastnet Rock Race Photo: Bob Bateman

The US Marines team on the First 40.7 Escapado get the media treatment Photo: Bob Bateman

The Beaufort Cup is the International Inter-Service Sailing Regatta, being hosted by the Royal Cork Yacht Club and supported by the Irish Defence Forces.

Ross Deasy and Clem McElligott get the Beaufort Cup fleet started Photo: Bob Bateman

A specially commissioned Perpetual Trophy in honour of Sir Francis Beaufort, creator of the Beaufort Scale, will be presented to the overall winner at the end of this week's series of races.

(Above and below) Beaufort Cup Starting flags are hoisted Photos: Bob Bateman

Above and below Beaufort Cup Starting flags are hoisted Photos: Bob Bateman

The fleet crossed a start line between Haulbowline and the Whitepoint shoreline at Cobh.

The competition has seven entries from the British army (x2), Irish defence forces (x2), a Royal Navy team, an RNLI crew and a team of US Marines.

Indulgence, Dehler 36, Aidan Heffernan, IRL 2805, Defence Forces Ireland
Bayonet, Beneteau First 36.7, Darren Szymanski, GBR 1975L, British Army
Trojan, J109, Helen Stamp, GBR 7005R, British Army
Jolly Jak Tar, J109, David Warwick, GBR 8541R, Royal Navy
Nieulargo, Grand Soleil 40 B+C, Denis & Annamarie Murphy, IRL 2129, Crosshaven RNLI
Escapado, First 40.7, Germaine Williams, GBR 1321L, US Marines
Meridian, Salona 45, Tom Roche, IRL 4076, Defence Forces Ireland

Denis & Annamarie Murphy's Nieulargo, a Grand Soleil 40 B+C is racing with a Crosshaven RNLI crew Photo: Bob Bateman

Tom Roche's Meridian a Salona 45 is sailing with a Defence Forces Ireland crew Photo: Afloat

The fleet will leave the rock to port and return to Cork Harbour via Daunt Rock.

Lt Commander Grace Fanning , Captain of LE Roisin escorted the six-boat fleet to the Cork harbour mouth at Roches Point.

Above and below: The Navy vessel LE Roisin escorted the Beaufort Cup fleet out of Cork Harbour on the race to the Fastnet Rock and back Photo: Bob Bateman

Cork Week's Ross Deasy with Beaufort Cup Race Officer Wendy McElligott, Captain Ken Minehane and Race Officer Clem McElligott at the Naval Base's signal turret for the first race of the Beaufort Cup to the Fastnet Rock Photo: Bob Bateman

Published in Cork Week

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Bob Bateman

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