Menu

Ireland's sailing, boating & maritime magazine

Displaying items by tag: Ocean to City Race

There were huge congratulations to all 550 international and national participants who conquered the Rás Mór this year, the highlight of Cork Harbour's Ocean to City Festival. 

Royal Cork Yacht Club was the centre of attention on Saturday as rowing craft of all kinds were launched in glorious sunshine in anticipation of the weekend's centrepiece event, An Rás Mór, Cork harbour’s Ocean to City race as Afloat reported here.

The coastal rowing event organised by the traditional boat group Meitheal Mara returned to the water this weekend after a break of two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Prizewinners included Clarecastle Boys, and Fergus Currach Club, who won 1st Currach Ocean. Vartry Dragons were first in the Celtic Longboat, and Thames Dragon BC was first in the Dragon Boat on the Rocky Island Course. 

Scroll down for a full list of winners below

Best of Boat Worlds of Naomhóga Chorcaí, winners of the 1st Relay Crew on the Ocean Course of this year's Ocean to City - An Rás Mór. Photo: Andrei ScintianBest of Boat Worlds of Naomhóga Chorcaí, winners of the 1st Relay Crew on the Ocean Course of this year's Ocean to City - An Rás Mór. Photo: Andrei Scintian

Cork Harbour Ocean to City Prize Winners 2023 (sub prizes)

 Cork Harbour Ocean to City Prize Winners 2023

Thames Dragon Boat Club from the UK, winners of the 1st Dragon Boat of this year's Ocean to City - An Rás Mór. Photo: Andrei ScintianThames Dragon Boat Club from the UK, winners of the 1st Dragon Boat of this year's Ocean to City - An Rás Mór. Photo: Andrei Scintian

Cork Harbour Ocean to City Prize Winners 2023 (main prizes)

Cork Harbour Ocean to City Prize Winners 2023 (main prizes)

Firth of Clyde Coastal Rowing Club from the UK, winners of the 2nd St Ayles Skiff on the Ocean Course of this year's Ocean to City - An Rás Mór. Photo: Andrei ScintianFirth of Clyde Coastal Rowing Club from the UK, winners of the 2nd St Ayles Skiff on the Ocean Course of this year's Ocean to City - An Rás Mór. Photo: Andrei Scintian

Vartry Dragons from Ireland and Wales, winners of 1st Celtic Longboat on the Ocean Course of this year's Ocean to City - An Rás Mór. Photo: Andrei ScintianVartry Dragons from Ireland and Wales, winners of 1st Celtic Longboat on the Ocean Course of this year's Ocean to City - An Rás Mór. Photo: Andrei Scintian

 The Mairead Kellys of Naomhóga Chorcaí, winners of the 1st Women's Crew and 1st Veteran Crew on the City Course of this year's Ocean to City - An Rás Mór. Photo: Andrei ScintianThe Mairead Kellys of Naomhóga Chorcaí, winners of the 1st Women's Crew and 1st Veteran Crew on the City Course of this year's Ocean to City - An Rás Mór. Photo: Andrei Scintian

Published in Cork Harbour

Royal Cork Yacht Club was the centre of attention on Saturday as rowing craft of all kinds were launched in glorious sunshine in anticipation of the weekend's centrepiece event, An Rás Mór, Cork harbour’s Ocean to City race.

The coastal rowing event organised by the traditional boat group Meitheal Mara returned to the water this weekend after a break of two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The multi-craft rowing and paddling race has attracted a fleet of over 200 boats.

Crosshaven is the official start venue of the main fleet in the Ocean to City Race 2023Crosshaven is the official start venue of the main fleet in the Ocean to City Race 2023

Now in its 18th year, the all-inclusive rowing event welcomes traditional wooden working boats, gigs, skiffs, sloops, lifeboats, longboats, cutters and currachs, kayaks, canoes, ocean sliding-seat boats and stand-up paddleboards as depicted in Bob Bateman's photo gallery below.

Billed as Ireland's largest long-distance rowing and paddling race, Ocean to City has four-course distances to choose from across the 28 km course - as in two, seven, 12 and 15 nautical miles, all finishing in Cork city centre.

Ocean to City Rowing Race in Cork Harbour 2023 Photo Gallery

Published in Cork Harbour

Cork Harbour's Ocean to City race is taking entries from February 15th for its 19th annual event on June 3rd.

Over 500 people participated in last year’s event, which returned after a two-year break due to Covid-19.

The all-inclusive rowing event welcomes traditional wooden working boats, gigs, skiffs, sloops, lifeboats, longboats, cutters and currachs, to kayaks, canoes, ocean sliding-seat boats and stand-up paddle boards.

Ocean to City has four-course distances to choose from, 2nm, 7nm, 12nm and 15nm - all finishing to “a jubilant welcome in Cork’s city centre”, the organisers state.

The race or row is an integral part of Cork Harbour Festival, which takes place from June 2nd to 11th with over 50 events in 15 locations across Cork city and harbour.

The ten-day “celebration of maritime culture” promises a programme of on-the-water activities, history, music, art, workshops, talks and walking tours and family events.

Early bird deals and ferry discounts will be available for registering from February 15th.

Full details here

Published in Cork Harbour

An Rás Mór, Cork harbour’s Ocean to City race, returns to the water this June after a break of two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Registration will open on March 1st for the multi-craft rowing and paddling race set for June 4th, 2022.

Now in its 18th year, the all-inclusive rowing event welcomes traditional wooden working boats, gigs, skiffs, sloops, lifeboats, longboats, cutters and currachs, kayaks, canoes, ocean sliding-seat boats and stand-up paddleboards.

The last ”in-person” event attracted 600 participants in over 200 craft, a third of which came from abroad, the organisers state. The virtual events over the past two years involved over a dozen countries across four continents, they state.

Billed as Ireland's largest long-distance rowing and paddling race, Ocean to City has four-course distances to choose from across the 28 km course - as in two, seven, 12 and 15 nautical miles, all finishing in Cork city centre.

Budding participants are advised to check the terms and conditions of travel and accommodation arrangements.

This is “just in case Covid forces us to change tack”, the organisers state.

A “spot the boat” brochure has been published, and early bird deals are available. More details of this and registration are on the website here

Published in Cork Harbour

Cork Harbour Festival and the Ocean to City Race have taken the decision to cancel this year’s events. The festival was due to take place 15 May – 8 June, with the flagship Ocean to City – An Rás Mór on 6 June.

The aim is to reschedule the Cork Harbour Festival and Ocean to City next year, in partnership with SeaFest 2021.

It is worth noting organisers were preparing for the biggest Cork Harbour Festival and Ocean to City to date, with a record number of events as well as early bird race entries.

Next year’s Cork Harbour Festival will take place 5 – 13 June 2021, with the Flagship Ocean to City on 5 June, and we look forward to welcoming you back then.

Cork Harbour Festival is sure to make a big splash this June Bank Holiday Weekend.

And the festivities are only beginning on Saturday 1 June, with nine days celebrating all things maritime taking over Leeside and Cork Harbour — for those with their sea legs and landlubbers (or land lovers) alike.

The showcase event that draws huge crowds every year is Ocean to City – An Rás Mór.

The race is the largest of its kind in Ireland and attracts competitors from all over Europe and as far as the USA.

The 200-strong fleet will give spectators a chance to see an array of vessels from traditional wooden boats, currachs and gigs to Chinese dragon boats, kayaks and even stand-up paddleboards.

The race starts in Crosshaven at 10.30am on Saturday and there will be free family entertainment, music and food at some of the best viewing points along the race route at Cobh, Passage West, Blackrock Pier and the city centre.

If you’re feeling energetic, you can cycle alongside the fleet for part of the racecourse from Father O’Flynn Park in Passage West.

Or you can get caught in the rhythm at the Port of Cork with a 14ft drum for all to play – no experience of drumming necessary.

Take your place at the finish line at Lapp’s Quay with live race commentary from Cork’s 96FM and food stalls, street performances, balloon artists, DJs, drummers and much more to keep you entertained while you welcome the participants as they complete this spectacular race.

If you prefer to stay on dry land, you’ve so much to choose from – with Camden Fort, Elizabeth Fort and Spike Island all open for tours every day of the Bank Holiday weekend.

As the sun sets there will be some very special performances happening including the Johnny Cash Tribute on Spike Island on Saturday evening, and a swashbuckling concert performance of The Pirates of Penzance on Sunday at Cork Opera House.

Most of the festival events are family friendly, making this the ideal way to have some great waterside adventures with the kids (and the young at heart!)

There’s everything from children’s storytelling in Passage West Library to Cobh Harbour tours.

Bring your trainee pirates to the Circus Factory on Saturday for some pirate circus training, or get the whole family team working together for orienteering on Sunday and Monday with Bishopstown Orienteering Club.

Join the ‘3 For the Sea’ Beach Day in Myrtleville on Sunday, or being bidding artists to the Crawford Art Gallery on Monday for a family-friendly art workshop and tour.

But no Cork Harbour Festival would be complete without a chance to get out on the water.

SailCork in East Ferry have an open day on Bank Holiday Monday, and you can try sailing at the world-famous Royal Cork Yacht Club with free tasters on Sunday.

With a weekend packed full of water-based activities, you can brave a high-speed harbour tour, paddle, kayak, sail, surf or SUP your way through the weekend.

Get all the details of the full festival programme with over 70 events on CorkHarbourFestival.com.

Published in Maritime Festivals

#OceantoCity – The winner of this year's 10th Ocean to City Rowing Race 'An Rás Mór' went to the brand new Dalkey community built currach Naomh Beagnait which was only launched at the start of June, writes Jehan Ashmore.

Naomh Beagnait (see photo) was competing in the event which attracted 500 rowers amongst some 120 craft including overseas entries in a celebration of Cork's maritime heritage.

The Dublin Bay based currach was constructed in Dalkey over the month of May and is based on the racing currach design from Inishbofin Island.

"To each person who sawed, sanded, steamed, donated money, encouraged, baked cakes, publicised, wrote articles, followed us on facebook, blessed the boat, you were a winner on Saturday in Cork" said Liz Murray who had the vision behind the Begnet's Boat Project.

She added "especially thanks to Dalkey Rowing Club who came to our rescue only a fortnight before Mark Redden who led the boat-building trainee team which used their boatshed. A true community effort by all involved".

Redden who is based in Barcelona and his Catalan rowers led the 7m (22ft) currach to victory with the 1st Ocean Race but also taking honours in the 1st Currach Ocean category representing Base Náutica de Barcelona (Repararems).

Naomh Beagnait will take centre-stage next Saturday (15 June) at The Inaugural Dublin Currach Regatta (2.30pm - 7pm) at the East Wall Water Sports Group in Clontarf and where the free event is sponsored by the Dublin Port Company.

Take in the sights and sounds of this most traditional of boating events at the Tolka Estuary, off the Alfie Byrne Road. Presentations will take place in the Poolbeg Boat and Yacht Club, Pigeon House Road, Ringsend on the south side of the Liffey.

Currach racing at National League Level are to be held on the previous day, Friday (14 June) for details visit this link.

 

Published in Currachs

#OceantoCity – Today's Ocean to City Race 'An Rás Mór' involving 122 entries can be viewed live on the big screen along Cork's Lapp's Quay thanks to Cork City Council.

The live-stream is also available from www.corkcity.ie/tv starting from 12 noon onwards so tell your family and friends!

The 28km rowing race which first began in 2005 is the highlight of the 10-day Ocean to City Maritime Festival that celebrates Cork's unique maritime heritage and attracts entries from all over the world.

The course begins at Crosshaven and crosses Cork Harbour via Cobh, Monkstown, Passage and Blackrock before reaching the finish line at Lapp's Quay.

An expected 500 Irish and international rowers will compete in a diverse range of vessels including currachs, Irish coastal rowing boats, Bantry longboats, kayaks, Cornish pilot gigs and Chinese dragon boats.

Among the participating currachs is the brand new Dalkey built Naomh Beagnait which as previously reported on Afloat.ie was a community led project which saw the 22ft craft make her maiden voyage only last weekend.

 

Published in Maritime Festivals

#MaritimeMovies - As part of the Ocean to City Festival (1-10 June), this Thursday there is a Maritime Movie Night starting at 19:30 in Cork's Half Moon Theatre.

The theme of the cinematic evening is oceanic adventures and stories from the sea. So sit back, have a drink, and watch the old classic Moby Dick (1956) as well as a series of archive shorts. Swap tales of seafaring and get inspired by the weird and wonderful world of maritime filmmaking.

The Irish Film Institute (IFI) is proud to work with Ocean to City to present a specially tailored programme of oceanic delights from the institute's national film archive, including: animated films, documentaries and newsreels dating from the 40s to 70s which celebrate man, the sea, and other bodies of water.

Among them there is a fascinating selection made in and around Cork.  B & I - Motorway to Ireland (1968), Baid Solais - Light Ships (1957), 2000 Miles of Peril (1974), Blackwater Holiday (1963) and Moby Dick (1956)

An entry of €8 (available on the door) and pre-sales are also available from the Cork Opera House.

Published in Coastal Notes

About The Middle Sea Race

The Rolex Middle Sea Race is a highly rated offshore classic, often mentioned in the same breath as the Rolex Fastnet, The Rolex Sydney–Hobart and Newport-Bermuda as a 'must do' race. The Royal Malta Yacht Club and the Royal Ocean Racing Club co-founded the race in 1968 and 2007 was the 28th Edition. Save for a break between 1984 and 1995 the event has been run annually attracting 25–30 yachts. In recent years, the number of entries has rissen sharply to 68 boats thanks to a new Organising Committee who managed to bring Rolex on board as title sponsor for the Middle Sea Race.

The race is a true challenge to skippers and crews who have to be at their very best to cope with the often changeable and demanding conditions. Equally, the race is blessed with unsurpassed scenery with its course, taking competitors close to a number of islands, which form marks of the course. Ted Turner described the MSR as "the most beautiful race course in the world".

Apart from Turner, famous competitors have included Eric Tabarly, Cino Ricci, Herbert von Karajan, Jim Dolan, Sir Chay Blyth and Sir Francis Chichester (fresh from his round the world adventure). High profile boats from the world's top designers take part, most in pursuit of line honours and the record – competing yachts include the extreme Open 60s, Riviera di Rimini and Shining; the maxis, Mistress Quickly, Zephyrus IV and Sagamore; and the pocket rockets such as the 41-foot J-125 Strait Dealer and the DK46, Fidessa Fastwave.

In 2006, Mike Sanderson and Seb Josse on board ABN Amro, winner of the Volvo Ocean Race, the super Maxis; Alfa Romeo and Maximus and the 2006 Rolex Middle Sea Race overall winner, Hasso Platner on board his MaxZ86, Morning Glory.

George David on board Rambler (ex-Alfa Romeo) managed a new course record in 2007 and in 2008, Thierry Bouchard on Spirit of Ad Hoc won the Rolex Middle Sea Race on board a Beneteau 40.7

The largest number of entries was 78 established in 2008.

Middle Sea Race History

IN THE BEGINNING

The Middle Sea Race was conceived as the result of sporting rivalry between great friends, Paul and John Ripard and an Englishman residing in Malta called Jimmy White, all members of the Royal Malta Yacht Club. In the early fifties, it was mainly British servicemen stationed in Malta who competitively raced. Even the boats had a military connection, since they were old German training boats captured by the British during the war. At the time, the RMYC only had a few Maltese members, amongst who were Paul and John Ripard.

So it was in the early sixties that Paul and Jimmy, together with a mutual friend, Alan Green (later to become the Race Director of the Royal Ocean Racing Club), set out to map a course designed to offer an exciting race in different conditions to those prevailing in Maltese coastal waters. They also decided the course would be slightly longer than the RORC's longest race, the Fastnet. The resulting course is the same as used today.

Ted Turner, CEO of Turner Communications (CNN) has written that the Middle Sea Race "must be the most beautiful race course in the world. What other event has an active volcano as a mark of the course?"

In all of its editions since it was first run in 1968 – won by Paul Ripard's brother John, the Rolex Middle Sea Race has attracted many prestigious names in yachting. Some of these have gone on to greater things in life and have actually left their imprint on the world at large. Amongst these one finds the late Raul Gardini who won line honours in 1979 on Rumegal, and who spearheaded the 1992 Italian Challenge for the America's Cup with Moro di Venezia.

Another former line honours winner (1971) who has passed away since was Frenchman Eric Tabarly winner of round the world and transatlantic races on Penduik. Before his death, he was in Malta again for the novel Around Europe Open UAP Race involving monohulls, catamarans and trimarans. The guest list for the Middle Sea Race has included VIP's of the likes of Sir Francis Chichester, who in 1966 was the first man to sail around the world single-handedly, making only one stop.

The list of top yachting names includes many Italians. It is, after all a premier race around their largest island. These include Navy Admiral Tino Straulino, Olympic gold medallist in the star class and Cino Ricci, well known yachting TV commentator. And it is also an Italian who in 1999 finally beat the course record set by Mistress Quickly in 1978. Top racing skipper Andrea Scarabelli beat it so resoundingly, he knocked off over six hours from the time that had stood unbeaten for 20 years.

World famous round the world race winners with a Middle Sea Race connection include yachting journalist Sir Robin Knox-Johnston and Les Williams, both from the UK.

The Maxi Class has long had a long and loving relationship with the Middle Sea Race. Right from the early days personalities such as Germany's Herbert Von Karajan, famous orchestra conductor and artistic director of the Berliner Philarmoniker, competing with his maxi Helisara IV. Later came Marvin Greene Jr, CEO of Reeves Communications Corporation and owner of the well known Nirvana (line honours in 1982) and Jim Dolan, CEO of Cablevision, whose Sagamore was back in 1999 to try and emulate the line honours she won in 1997.

THE COURSE RECORD

The course record was held by the San Francisco based, Robert McNeil on board his Maxi Turbo Sled Zephyrus IV when in 2000, he smashed the Course record which now stands at 64 hrs 49 mins 57 secs. Zephyrus IV is a Rechiel-Pugh design. In recent years, various maxis such as Alfa Romeo, Nokia, Maximus and Morning Glory have all tried to break this course record, but the wind Gods have never played along. Even the VOR winner, ABN AMro tried, but all failed in 2006.

However, George David came along on board Rambler in 2007 and demolished the course record established by Zephyrus IV in 2000. This now stands at 1 day, 23 hours, 55 minutes and 3 seconds.

At A Glance - Middle Sea Race 2024

First held: 1968

Organising Authority: Royal Malta Yacht Club

Start

The 45th Rolex Middle Sea Race will start on Saturday, 19 October 2024.

Grand Harbour, Valletta: seven separate starts, at 10-minute intervals, from 11:00 CEST Saturday, 21 October 2024

Start Line: between the Saluting Battery, Upper Barrakka Gardens (Valletta) and Fort St Angelo (Birgu)

Various vantage points all around the Grand Harbour, high up on the bastions or at water level. Harbour access for spectator boats is restricted during the period of the start.

Course

Set in the heart of the Mediterranean and is considered one of the most beautiful in the world. It starts and finishes in Malta, passes two active volcanoes and takes in the deep azure waters surrounding Sicily, and the Aeolian and Egadi Islands, as well as lonelier outposts of Pantelleria and Lampedusa, both closer to the African continent than Europe.

Length: 606 nautical miles (1,122km)

Outright Race Record: 33h 29m 28s, Argo, United States, Jason Carroll

Monohull Race Record: 40h 17m 50s, Comanche, Cayman Is, Mitch Booth

Main Trophies

Rolex Middle Sea Race Trophy – overall race winner under IRC Time Correction

Boccale de Mediterraneo – winner of ORC category

RLR Trophy – winner of monohull line honours

Captain Morgan Trophy – winner of multihull division on corrected time (MOCRA)

Featured Sailing School

INSS sidebutton

Featured Clubs

dbsc mainbutton
Howth Yacht Club
Kinsale Yacht Club
National Yacht Club
Royal Cork Yacht Club
Royal Irish Yacht club
Royal Saint George Yacht Club

Featured Brokers

leinster sidebutton

Featured Webcams

Featured Associations

ISA sidebutton
ICRA
isora sidebutton

Featured Marinas

dlmarina sidebutton

Featured Chandleries

CHMarine Afloat logo
https://afloat.ie/resources/marine-industry-news/viking-marine

Featured Sailmakers

northsails sidebutton
uksails sidebutton
watson sidebutton

Featured Blogs

W M Nixon - Sailing on Saturday
podcast sidebutton
BSB sidebutton
wavelengths sidebutton
 

Please show your support for Afloat by donating