The Royal Cork Yacht Club held its annual Naval Race on a windy day in Cork Harbour, bringing together a fleet of 16 boats.

The race course started with a grassy start, followed by a run to the south of Trabolgan and a beat back, leaving No.3 to port and upriver to finish between the flagstaff on the Naval Base at Haulbowline and No.20 buoy.

The start of the 2023 Royal Cork Yacht Club annual Naval Race off Grassy Point in Cork Harbour Photo: Bob Bateman

The cold northeast air throughout the race starkly contrasted the previous weekend's 30-degree temperatures and light airs.

The J122 Jelly Baby was the winner of the 2023 Royal Cork Yacht Club annual Naval Race in Cork Harbour Photo: Bob Bateman

In the Naval Race IRC Spinnaker division, Jelly Baby (Jones Family), the newly crowned ICRA National Champion, emerged as the winner of the six-boat division. Annamarie and Denis Murphy's Grand Soliel 40, Nieulargo, secured second position, followed by Paul and Deirdre Tingle's X4 Alpaca in third.

Ian Hickey's Granada 38, Cavatia, emerged as the winner in IRC White Sails, with Ronan Twomey's First 40.7, Rosmarina, securing second position, and Kieran O'Brien's Magnet finishing third.

Ronan Twomey's First 40.7, Rosmarina was second in the White Sails division of the 2023 Royal Cork Yacht Club annual Naval Race in Cork Harbour Photo: Bob Bateman 

The 16-knot breeze throughout the race made for a thrilling sail, and commendations were awarded to the winners in both divisions for their performances.

Royal Cork Yacht Club Naval Race 2023 Photo Gallery by Bob Bateman

The overall Cork Harbour league winner in the Thursday August-September league in the IRC Spinnaker Division was Michael McCann’s Etchells Don’t Dilly Dally, with Sean Hanley’s HB 31, Luas, second and Ria Lyden’s X332 Ellida third.

Under ECHO handicap Ellida was first, with Luas second and Don’t Dilly Dally third.

IRC Whitesail Division Thursday overall was won by Kieran O’Brien’s MG335 Magnet, with Pat Vaughan’s Contessa 33, Aramis, second and Ian Hickey’s Granada, Cavatina, third.

Kieran O’Brien’s MG335 Magnet Photo: Bob Bateman

In ECHO handicap Whitesail, Aramis was the winner, with Cavatina second and Paul O’Shea’s Sun Odyssey 36i, Elegance, third.

Gusting wind to over 22 knots at times, heavy rain and wind over tide all contributed to testing conditions on the last night of the Friday August-September Whitesail league, the heavy conditions, reduced the fleet to a turn-out of four boats which had a lively evening’s sailing.

The MacSweeney Family’s Sigma 33, Scribbler Photo: Bob Bateman

The overall league winner was the MacSweeney Family’s Sigma 33, Scribbler, with Kieran O’Halloran’s Stingray second and Rob Foster’s Clodagh third.

The Royal Cork Yacht Club (RCYC) won the team trophy at last month's ILCA National Championships for the third year running, held at Howth Yacht Club, as Afloat reported here.

Although the championship had to be limited to two days of racing due to storm Betty, 14 sailors from RCYC competed in the three ILCA fleets under the guidance of coach André Granadeiro.

RCYC successfully beat off competitors Howth Yacht Club and the Royal St. George Yacht Club to claim the trophy with the best result across the three fleets. This year, Liam Duggan finished second in ILCA4, Michael Crosbie came third in ILCA6, and Jonathan O Shaughnessy came third in ILCA7, and their names will be inscribed onto the trophy.

The RCYC ILCA team 

The Irish Laser Association (now ILCA Ireland) team championship trophy was first awarded in 1977 to Susan Gray, Ruth Barrington, and Tansey Millerick.

ILCA Sprint Series

On September 17th, the Royal Cork Yacht Club will host the final round of the ILCA Cork Summer Sprint Series, where boats throughout Munster will compete for the title. The sprint series events were held in Glandore, Kinsale, Bantry, and Iniscarra throughout the summer. Interested participants may still enter the single-day sprint event, which is open for entry on the RCYC website under the ILCA Summer Sprint Series.

Royal Cork Yacht Club and Howth Yacht Club both compete in tomorrow's Rolex New York Yacht Club Invitational Cup. 

Racing will take place off of Newport, either offshore on Rhode Island Sound or inshore on Narragansett Bay, and up to 12 races are planned for the series, with as many as four on any given day.

In the 2021 edition of the Cup, Howth finished 18th, and RCYC were fourth.

As previously reported by Afloat, sailing for Howth is Gary Cullen, Graham Curran, Johnny Durcan, Carla Fagan, Colin Kavanagh, Diana Kissane, William Maguire, David Maguire and Luke Malcolm. 

The Royal Cork lineup is: Shawn Bennett, Cliodhna Connolly, Harry Durcan, Ben Field, Mark Hassett, Tom Murphy, Sally O Flynn, Robert O'Leary and Anthony O'Leary.

Of the many illustrious clubs from around the world that have competed in the Cup, the premiere fleet regatta for Corinthian crews, two have most consistently demonstrated the slick boatspeed and smooth crew handling that are the hallmarks of winning one-design crews: Southern Yacht Club of New Orleans and Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron (above) of Australia. One of the two has placed first and/or second in the past three editions, dating to 2017.

The two teams’ run of success began six years ago, when Southern Yacht Club posted a 12-point victory over Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron for its first victory in the prestigious regatta. Two years later, in 2019, it was Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron’s turn to win its first Invitational Cup, posting a four-point victory that went down to the final day of racing, while Southern Yacht Club placed fifth.

Yearning to defend their historic title—Royal Sydney was the first team from the Southern Hemisphere to win the coveted trophy—in 2021, helmsman Guido Belgiorno-Nettis and crew were “very disappointed” when they were denied the opportunity due to travel restrictions resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic. Instead, Southern Yacht Club, helmed by 2004 Olympic Silver medalist (Tornado) John Lovell, posted a 10-point victory for its second title in three editions.

“We watched the 2021 Invitational Cup with fascination, jealousy and frustration,” said Belgiorno-Nettis. “Sitting on the couch, my team were sure we could’ve given the 2021 competing teams a good run for their money. But I know that reality will set the record straight when we turn up at the start line. Then the talk stops and the action will begin.”

So, when racing for this year’s regatta begins tomorrow, the Invitational Cup will in effect have two defending champions. The two teams are returning the same helmsmen from 2021 and 2019, Lovell for Southern Yacht Club and Belgiorno-Nettis for Royal Sydney, and each crew has been on the water the past couple of days practicing. Both helmsmen feel more practice is needed.

“We’ve been working the kinks out the past couple of days,” said Lovell  “I think our crew work is pretty good, but time and distance is what we’ve been struggling with and working on. Hitting the start line at full speed within three to four meters of the start line and being able to sail straight for two minutes is critical. If you can do that, you’ll be in the game.”

“We’re very rusty. We haven’t done any sailing as a team since 2019,” said Belgiorno-Nettis. “You have to be good sailors; you have to have a great team. A quiet team is a fast team. Most important, you have to be consistent. You don’t have to win every race, but if you have good results eventually it comes your way, I think.”

Nineteen teams from 14 countries are on hand to race the eighth Rolex New York Yacht Club Invitational Cup, a biennial regatta hosted by the New York Yacht Club Harbour Court in Newport, R.I. Since the event was first run in 2009, it has attracted top amateur sailors from 51 of the world’s most prestigious yacht clubs from 22 countries.

After five editions in the Swan 42 class, the 2023 event will be the third sailed in the IC37, designed by Mark Mills. The strict one-design nature of this purpose-built class, combined with the fact that each boat is owned and maintained by the New York Yacht Club, will ensure a level playing field not seen in any other amateur big-boat sailing competition. The regatta will run from Saturday, September 9, through Saturday, September 16, with racing starting on Tuesday, September 12. 

Of the 19 teams entered this year, 17 have previous experience in the regatta. The two first-time entrants are the Corinthian Yacht Club of Marblehead, Mass., and Yacht Club Punta del Este of Uruguay.

Two of the 17 returning clubs, New York Yacht Club and Royal Cork Yacht Club of Ireland, have raced each edition of the Invitational Cup. And two sailors in this year’s fleet have also raced in each edition of the Invitational Cup: Royal Cork helmsman Anthony O’Leary and Royal Canadian Yacht Club crewmember John Millen.

“The standard of competition goes without saying, but what we really have great confidence in is the ability of the Technical Committee to prepare boats of equal standing for each competing team at the Invitational Cup,” said O’Leary, who has helmed the Royal Cork entry at each previous event. “This is important for competitors and gives us all a belief that we are as close to a ‘level playing pitch’ as is possible for an event of this nature.”

“This regatta, you have people who come to it from all around the world,” said Millen, who has raced with Royal Canadian six times and the New York Yacht Club once. “Racing in Swan 42s was fantastic. With the IC37s, the modern boats, even practicing racing, is incredibly tight. The importance of being consistent, the margins of victory and loss are so tiny, and so it can be incredibly satisfying or painful, and that makes it fun.”

The following yacht clubs will compete for the 2023 Rolex New York Yacht Club Invitational Cup: Corinthian Yacht Club (Marblehead, Mass.), Howth Yacht Club (IRL), Itchenor Sailing Club (GBR), Japan Sailing Federation, New York Yacht Club, Norddeutscher Regatta Verein (GER), Nyländska Jaktklubben (FIN), Royal Canadian Yacht Club, Royal Cork Yacht Club (IRL), Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club (CHN), Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, Royal Swedish Yacht Club, Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron (AUS), Royal Vancouver Yacht Club (CAN), Southern Yacht Club (New Orleans), Yacht Club Argentino, Yacht Club Costa Smeralda (ITA), Yacht Club Punte del Este (URY)

The Royal Cork Yacht Club (RCYC) in Crosshaven, Cork Harbour has announced the suspension of all club activities until Sunday following the tragic drowning of Emili Roman at Fountainstown Beach on Tuesday evening.

The move was confirmed by Club Admiral Kieran O'Connell, who stated that the decision was made in consideration of the great sadness in the Crosshaven community at present. "Our sincere condolences go out to the Roman family and friends. May Emili rest in peace," he said.

Other clubs in the village have also taken the decision to suspend their activities.

However, the annual Cobh-Blackrock Race, which is an event run by Cove Sailing Club and takes place on Saturday, will not be affected by the suspension of club activities.

Admiral O'Connell clarified that the suspension of activities only pertains to RCYC-run events.

The Royal Cork's Autumn League will start on Sunday, October 1 and continue for four further Sundays to the end of the month.

Eight races are planned over the five Sundays, varying between one and two on different days.

The Notice of Race has been published.

It is an Open event for all RCYC and visiting keelboats. An Entry form must be completed online before the first race through the club's website.

Division of Classes will be decided by the Race committee. Results will be in IRC and or ECHO.

The racing schedule is:

• Sunday, 1st October: two races with the first gun planned for 1125.
• 8th October: One race FG 1125
• 15th October: Two races 1125 FG
• 22nd October: One race 1125 FG
• Sunday 29th October: Two races 1125 FG

This schedule may change during the series.

A low-point scoring system will apply. One discard to apply if four or more races are completed.

After the high winds of Saturday’s opening day of the Royal Cork Yacht Club 'At Home' in Crosshaven, the second day made for a welcome change, with a flat sea and less wind.

Between cruisers and dinghies, the RCYC had 80 boats racing over the weekend in their annual ‘At Home’ regatta in Cork Harbour.

Saturday’s high winds and choppy waters made a testing day for cruisers and dinghies. Cruisers raced between the outer and inner harbours, registering up to 22 knots of wind gusts.

In the two races on Saturday, some boats reefed mainsails to manage the conditions. Others flew spinnakers, with a few challenging incidents.

In the cruiser classes, IRC Spin Division was won by Fiona Young’s ‘North Star.’

The IRC Spinnaker Division of Royal Cork Yacht Club's 'At Home Regatta' was won by Fiona Young’s Albin Express ‘North Star' Photo: Bob Bateman

Michael McCann’s ‘Don’t Dilly Dally’ second. David Dwyer’s ‘Swuzzlebubble’ third.

Michael McCann’s Etchells 22 ‘Don’t Dilly Dally’ competing in the IRC Spinnaker Division of Royal Cork Yacht Club's 'At Home Regatta' Photo: Bob Bateman

Ria Lyden’s ‘Ellida’ won ECHO Spin with North Star second and ‘T Bone’ (Tom Durcan/Clive O’Shea) third.

Ria Lyden’s X332 ‘Ellida’ won the ECHO Spinnaker Division of Royal Cork Yacht Club's 'At Home Regatta' Photo: Bob Bateman

Whitesail Division 1 IRC winner was Ian Hickey’s ‘Cavatina.’ Kieran O’Brien’s ‘Magnet’ second. ‘BigMc’ (McGrath Family) third. ‘Cavatina’ also won the ECHO handicap, with Mike Ryder’s ‘Freya’ second and ‘BigMc’ third.

Kieran O’Brien’s ‘Magnet’ was second in Whitesail Division 1 IRC of Royal Cork Yacht Club's 'At Home Regatta' Photo: Bob Bateman

Whitesail Division 2 winner in both IRC and ECHO was the MacSweeney Family’s ‘Scribbler’. Second in the ECHO handicap was Rob Foster’s ‘Clodagh’ and third was Eugene O’Loughlin’s ‘Kerensa’.

In the dinghy fleets, the Laser ‘passage race’ from Blackrock to Crosshaven on Saturday was a tough challenge for the single-handers. The ILCA 6 winner was Joe O’Sullivan, with Robert Jeffreys second and Eve McCarthy third. Laser 4 fleet winner was Craig O’Neill, with Liam Duggan second and Tommy Hiras third. The ILCA 7 winner was Richard McGlade. Liam Duggan won ILCA 4 in Sunday's racing, with Craig O’Neill second and Eve McCarthy third.

Fast sailing in a 29er dinghy during Royal Cork Yacht Club's 'At Home Regatta' Photo: Bob Bateman

Fevas raced from Monkstown to Crosshaven on Sunday, won by Cathal and Ruadhan Jackson, second Harry Coole and Chris Granby, and third Aifric Barry and Florence Dennehy.

Racing on the Curlane Bank, the Toppers winner was Lucy Moynan, second Kate Dean and third Ruby Foley. Optimists Class winner was Hugh O’Neill, second Charlie McKibben and third Ayda Bruen.

The crew of the National 18 Ball 'n' Chain is hit by a gust going downwind during Royal Cork Yacht Club's 'At Home Regatta' Photo: Bob Bateman

National 18s Class was won by Charles Dwyer and crew sailing ‘Nacho Boat’. Second ‘ Aquadisiacs,’ Colin Chapman and crew. Third ‘Peaky Blinders,’ Ronan Walsh and crew.

Bob Bateman's RCYC 'At Home 2023' Photo Gallery (Day One)

The Royal Cork Yacht Club (RCYC) has announced a different format for dinghy racing in their upcoming ‘At Home’ Regatta on Saturday. In a statement released by Rear Admiral Dinghies, Maurice Collins explained that “racing will involve most fleets racing from Blackrock or Monkstown to the RCYC at Crosshaven.” 

The event, which promises a great weekend of competitive racing and fun, will see Lasers (ILCAs), 29ers and Class 2 dinghies race from Blackrock with a First Gun timed for 1330. Meanwhile, Toppers, Optimists and Class 1 Mixed Dinghies will race from Monkstown, with a First Gun scheduled for 1430. The National 18 Class will race on the Curlane Bank, where racing for all classes on Sunday will be held in the Cuskinny area, starting with a First Gun at 1155. 

According to the RCYC, dinghy entry forms must be completed and are available on the club’s website. The relevant Class Captains will also discuss arrangements for boats to get to Blackrock/Monkstown. 

In addition to the dinghy racing, there will also be cruiser racing on both Saturday and Sunday, with two races scheduled for Saturday and one on Sunday, all starting at 1155. The event is open to visiting clubs to participate, with the Class divisions for the At Home “decided by the Race Committee, with results in IRC and ECHO and prizes dependent on the number of entries and class divisions.” 

To enter the ‘At Home’ Regatta, an entry form must be completed on the RCYC website. The event will also have a variety of onshore entertainment and events. 

The RCYC ‘At Home’ Regatta promises to be a thrilling and enjoyable event for all participants and spectators alike.

Cork Harbour saw challenging conditions during the last race of the July Cruiser Whitesail League at the Royal Cork Yacht Club on Friday evening.

With wind speeds gusting over 22 knots, only four yachts were able to race, and only two of the scheduled four races for the league could be held during the month due to weather conditions.

The previous evening, conditions were more favourable, and 12 yachts raced in the Thursday league Whitesail Class, with five taking part in the spinnaker division.

Desmond/Ivers/Keane's Bad Company took first place in Spinnaker IRC, followed by Ria Lyden's Ellida in second place and Jones Family's Jelly Baby in third. Ellida finished first under ECHO handicap, with Bad Company coming in second and Frank Doyle's Cara in third place.

In the Whitesail IRC category, Kieran O'Brien's Magnet took first place, followed by Pat Vaughan's Aramis in second and Ian Hickey's Cavatina in third. Under the ECHO handicap, Aramis was the winner, with Cavatina in second place and McGrath Family's Big Mc in third.

In the Whitesail Friday category, Liam O'Keeffe's Orion emerged as the winner under the club's IHS Division. Scribbler, belonging to the MacSweeney family, came in second place, with Darragh McCarthy's Mach 2 in third place.

The challenging weather conditions made for a tough race, but the yachts and their crews persevered, making for an exciting competition.

There was a home success in a breezy conclusion to the 2023 Topper World Championships at Royal Cork Yacht Club on Friday afternoon, when Ireland took gold and silver in the smaller 4.2 rig division, while the main rig title went to Great Britain.

Friday's three back-to-back races confirmed Britain's Alex Jones of Parkstone Yacht Club as the 2023 Topper 5.3 World Champion at Royal Cork Yacht Club.

Jones had established a winning point cushion of 12 points over six races (with two race wins) and extended this on the final day to ten points with a last-race victory in Cork Harbour.

2023 Topper 5.3 World Champion Alex Jones of Parkstone Yacht Club (centre) with Ruoque Su of China second (left) and Rory Clow third. Photo: Bob Bateman

Jones's teammate Rory Clow of Island Barn Reservoir Sailing Club, who had moved up to second overall going into Friday's races, was overtaken by Ruoque Su of China for the silver medal. Clow took bronze after nine races sailed in the 98-boat fleet.

The best of the Irish in the 5.3 rig was consistent Luke Simpson of County Antrim Yacht Club, who finished sixth.

Ireland's Whyte is Topper 4.2 World Champion

In the smaller 4.2 rig fleet, Fifteen-year-old Rory Whyte from Waterford Harbour and Royal Cork Yacht Club recovered from an OCS in race one in a three-race final series to win the 4.2 World Championship Trophy. Second, was his clubmate Andrew O'Neill with Che Liu of China in Bronze.

Fifteen-year-old Rory Whyte from Waterford Harbour and Royal Cork Yacht Club is presented with the 4.2 World Championship Trophy by Cork County Mayor Frank O'Flynn. Second, was his clubmate Andrew O'Neill (left) with Che Liu of China in Bronze Photo: Bob Bateman

Topper World Championships 5.3 Gold Fleet Racing (Friday) and Prizegiving at Royal Cork Yacht Club Photo Gallery by Bob Bateman

4.2 results below and 5.3 results here