#sovereigns cup – Over a quarter of entries to date for the Sovereign's Cup Regatta hail from the UK and current entry levels are running at over twice the rate of April 2011.
Minister Simon Coveney was in the newly re-opened Acton's Hotel in Kinsale to launch the biennial Sovereign's Cup Regatta last Thursday which is expected to bring 140 boats together with 800 sailors from Ireland and overseas from the 26th to the 29th of June.
Coveney praised the community spirit as Kinsale Yacht Club works with local businesses to ensure that the hundreds of sailors enjoy their week's sailing both on the water and ashore in the gourmet capital of Ireland. The regatta is expected to generate over €600,000 for the tourist town and Kinsale Food Circle restaurants will be utilising the influx of visitors to showcase the best of local produce as they prepare to feed the armada of visiting sailors.
"We are delighted with the financial support provided by our title sponsors, independent investment managers, Covestone Asset Management. The early financial assistance helped in funding our new interactive website which has been instrumental in attracting the large number of early entries. It is clear that skippers begun their planning early for their summer sailing and that Kinsale features high on the list of 'must do' events" commented Mike Walsh, Regatta Director.
As well as the excellent sailing conditions, race management and social programme ashore, sailors and their families are expected to take full advantage of the many famous restaurants that form the Kinsale Good Food Circle. The regatta committee are encouraging people to start thinking about their travel and accommodation plans and are delighted that their new website provides direct links to accommodation and restaurants in Kinsale and that Irish Ferries Ltd are providing discounted rates to those travelling from the UK.
The Sovereign's Cup was established in 1995 and this year marks the 10th staging of this hugely popular cruiser regatta. The biennial event is expected to attract over 140 boats from all over Ireland and the UK to compete for the prestigious Sovereign's Cup for best all round score in IRC and The Portcullis Trophy for best score under progressive handicap.
Entries are being taken in Class 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and three White Sails classes. This year the Quarter Ton Class Championships and the European 1720 Championship will be taking place during the Sovereign's Cup, bringing many new visitors to Kinsale from Scotland, Wales and the south of England.
