With just three months to go to the Covestone Asset Management Sovereign's Cup 2013, the first listing of registered entrants has just been published and features an impressive 45 entries covering the full spectrum of yacht racing - from stripped out carbon fibre thoroughbreds through to those of more leisurely racing ambitions in the White Sail Class.

The list of entrants (registered to 27th March) can be viewed below.

Regatta Director Mike Walsh expressed his delight with the early response. 'We are well ahead in terms of fully paid up registrations on where previous Sovereign's Cups would have been at this stage'.
'Almost 25% of our entries are travelling to the event from clubs in the UK.
Looking at current registrations as a whole at the moment, over 75% of the entries are visiting competitors, which demonstrates that the Covestone Sovereign's Cup provides a highly attractive offering to those travelling to Kinsale – both on and off the water ", noted Walsh.
The 1720 class will be holding their European Championships as part of the Sovereign's Cup, and six of these dynamic 26 footers are already signed up. Seasoned followers of the 1720 class will no doubt be intrigued by the father-son duel that's in store between sailing supremo Anthony O'Leary and Olympic veteran Peter. According to the Regatta Director, "the set up in Kinsale is excellent for the 1720 fleet with easy craneage into the water and convenient free parking for the trailers while the boats are afloat."
The Quarter Ton Cup will also be held as part of the Covestone Sovereign's Cup, and a number of visitors from the UK have already signed up. Some potent performers are on their way such as Aguila, winner of the Quarter Ton trophy two years ago, Anchor Challenge, winner in 2009 and third in 2012, while Illes Pitituses was nominated for ICRA Boat of the Year in 2012. With the likes of that competition, it's no wonder that there is confirmed interest and intent to enter from a number of other Quarter Ton owners in Dun Laoghaire, Howth and the Solent.
While the Covestone Sovereign's Cup 2013 will continue to deliver the special atmosphere of the nine previous events, with its intimate and friendly setting of the Kinsale Yacht Club and surrounding town and harbour, visitors this year will enjoy the benefits of the major development works underway on the clubhouse. Much improved changing room and showering facilities will be available on the ground floor, while an extended sun deck will tempt those wishing to drink in the sun while downing the finest from the Club's welcoming bar staff.