Kinsale Yacht Club intends to “re-establish and grow” its Cruising Fleet this season.

The County Cork club will “reinvigorate the cruising section of the club,” according to Vice Commodore Anthony O’Neill.

Niall McCann will undertake co-ordination of the Cruiser Fleet.

A club meeting has been scheduled for Friday, March 1, to develop a cruising schedule for the season.

Vice Commodore O’Neil has told club members:

“This year, we intend to re-establish and grow the Cruising Fleet within the Club. Niall McCann has kindly offered to co-ordinate this Fleet and organise suitable cruise in company events. During February more information will be discussed at the Berth holders meeting and will be posted online. Following that, a meeting will be held which may be attended by those who are interested in taking part. The meeting will also be open to non KYC members in order that they can be informed of what is planned and that they could then decide if membership of KYC is something they would consider.”

The March meeting will be the first step to reinvigorate the cruising section of the club. This year we will establish a Spring and Autumn programme of cruises - in-company. The meeting also helps in understanding members' needs.”

The objectives listed for the Cruiser group are:

1. Arrange a number of local cruises-in-company, this will provide a safe space for some boat owners to push their boundaries.
2. Encourage owners to get more use out of their boats, both power and sail.
3. Encourage a shared cruising knowledge base within the club.

The Notice of Race is now available for Kinsale Yacht Club’s Inishtearaght Race, once again generously sponsored by Matthews of Cork.

Cian McCarthy and Sam Hunt on Cinnamon Girl won the race on IRC in 2022 and they have confirmed that they will be taking part again this year in the second edition.

The race starts on Friday 24 May and is approximately 240 nautical miles long, running along the coast of West Cork and Kerry to round Inishtearaght in the Blasket Islands and return to Kinsale.

One highlight of the race is the spectacular and varied scenery along the course.

In 2022 the fastest boat was Chris and Patanne Power Smith’s Aurelia with an elapsed time of one day, nine hours and 57 minutes.

The race has been timed to run about a month before the Round Ireland, so is perfectly suited as a shakedown race for any boats competing in that event.

SIs and the entry form will be available in due course from the KYC website.

Kinsale Yacht Club will start their Winter Frostbite Series of dinghy and Squibs racing on Sunday, January 28.

It will run for six weeks for Squibs, Lasers, 420s, Toppers, and Mixed Dinghies, concluding on March 3.

Racing will be on laid courses within or just south of Kinsale Harbour, with a First Gun at 11:55 daily. There is an entry fee of €40 for single-handed and €60 for all others.

Registration is online or 10 a.m. in the clubhouse on the first day. Entry forms, SIs and all details online at kyc.ie

David O'Sullivan, a former Commodore of Kinsale Yacht Club, has been awarded Honorary Membership of the club following last Thursday's AGM.

O'Sullivan has been an integral part of the club for over 25 years, having served as a Flag Officer of the club in the 1990s, a regatta director for Sovereigns Cup, an active race officer, and most recently, the founder of the club's U25 sailing programme, KINSAILOR. Listen to an Afloat interview with O’Sullivan here.

O'Sullivan's contributions to the club were acknowledged with a round of applause as he received Honorary membership. Speaking about the award, O'Sullivan said, "I am deeply honoured to receive this recognition from the club, and I am proud to have been a part of such a wonderful community for so many years."

New Commodore

New Kinsale Yacht Club Commodore Tony Scannell Photo: Bob Bateman

In addition to O'Sullivan's award, Thursday's AGM saw outgoing Commodore Matthias Hellstern hand over the baton to the club's Vice Commodore, Tony Scannell. Scannell, who has many years of experience on the Management Committee, including the organisation of the biennial Sovereign's Cup, will be leading the club with his new team, including new Vice Commodore Anthony O'Neill. The team will be busy in the upcoming season, with the highlight event being the Dragon Gold Cup in September 2024.

The success of the Under 25 team sailing the club J24 ’Kinsailor’ is one of the many successes highlighted in the annual Class reports at Kinsale Yacht Club which, like many clubs, had to deal with the occasional ravages the weather patterns made on sailing programmes during the 2023 season.

The success of the club’s Sailability Programme which won the Cork Sports Partnership Active Community Award is another achievement noted as are the achievements of Cian McCarthy and Sam Hunt sailing Cinnamon Girl successfully in several events and Conor Doyle’s participation in the Middle Sea Race, as well as Tony and Alice Kingston’s 2,000-mile trip from Lanzarote to Barbados on Shindig. 2023 Sydney Hobart Race, with Cian and Sam will be sailing in the Sydney Hobart Christmas Race

CRUISER RACING and WHITESAILS

Good, successful season for club boats and members racing in various events, including the Fastnet. A successful Sovereigns Cup and club racing events and another busy year in Whitesail with good numbers in the fleet. The club wold like to expand its Race Officers numbers. Expressions of interest from anyone who would like to get involved in race management are welcome.

Racing at Kinsale Yacht Club's Spring League Photo: Bob Bateman

TOPPERS 

A year of outstanding sailing, despite occasional disruptions from the weather. The hunt for boats continued and resulted in new sailors joining the fleet. We are always happy to see new faces and see sailors move from one club fleet to another as they develop in their sailing careers. This year we welcomed some Optimist sailors who had grown out of their boats and joined us in the Toppers, as well as others who are new to the sport.

Likewise, some topper sailors have moved into other boats, including 420, where they will harvest their skills and progress further. The season kicks off again at the end of January, with the Frostbites.

SQUIBS 

The weather affected the September series with only one race possible. But good interest in the fleet and looking forward to a new venue for class racing in Baltimore next year. 

Kinsale Yacht Commodore Matthias Hellstern welcomed Maeve Cotter as Regatta Director for the Dragon Gold Cup in 2024

DRAGONS

Whilst the fleet were poor for club racing this season, that didn’t seem to impact the performance at a national level. Whilst the boats are now all put to bed for the Winter, Maeve Cotter and her organising team are busily preparing for the Gold Cup next September. Already confirming their intention to race are crews from some 20 nations.

SAILABILITY 

Despite the unseasonably weather experienced this year there were 21 days on the water this season during the season. Our fleet increased also when we received delivery of the new Whally Boat kindly sponsored by Cork Sports Partnership.This Boat has become very popular with people due to its ease of access It is great to have such a modern fleet for our members enjoyment. We have increased membership again with several enquiries already for 2024.

420 dinghies are launched at the Kinsale Harbour slipway for the class Munster Championships hosted by Kinsale Yacht Club Photo: Bob Bateman

420s

The fleet continues to grow in popularity at KYC with 10+ sailors training and racing on a regular basis across 4 boats. Two club boats have been leased throughout the year, with a waiting list in place for thespring 2024 term. Sailors who have leased for 1 term are seeking to purchase their own boats. Looking forward to more boats in 2024.

OPTIMISTS

The Christmas regatta signals the end of the season. 2023 was an eventful year for the KYC Optimist fleet. Sailors move on to other Classes, as is the norm and there continues to be new interest for the season ahead. KYC sailors are joining the IODAI development squads for 2024

Preparations are underway in Kinsale for celebrations to mark the 80th anniversary of one of the most prestigious international sailing events. From 6 to 13 September 2024, Kinsale will welcome Dragon sailors from across the globe to compete for the Kinsale Yacht Club Dragon Gold Cup, which has been raced annually since 1937 and will be sponsored by Astra Construction Services Ltd.

This will be the third time that Kinsale Yacht Club (KYC) has hosted the Dragon Gold Cup, the first being in 1977 and the second in 2012. The venue is hugely popular with the Dragon sailing community, and many international teams are expected to compete alongside a strong Irish contingent. International Dragon Association Chairman Gérard Blanc is looking forward to returning to Kinsale, saying, "Since the last Gold Cup in Ireland in 2012, I know that many international Dragon sailors are excited to be returning to one of their favourite venues in the southwest of Ireland. Kinsale is a fantastic place to sail, and a legendary social welcome awaits you. I plan to be there and look forward to meeting as many of you as possible”.

Crews from some 20 nations across Australasia, Asia, North America, and Europe are already confirmed. In attendance will be some of the best sailors on the planet, including multiple Olympic medallists, America’s Cup veterans, World, Continental, and National Champions. The regatta will also feature a Corinthian Division for all amateur crews, who will race alongside the professional teams whilst scoring in their own ranking.

The crew of Dragon Whisper off the Old Head of Kinsale Photo: Dave Cullinane

Kinsale’s open ocean race area has minimal currents and excellent sailing winds and is backed by southern Ireland’s spectacular coastline, including the famous Old Head of Kinsale. KYC is renowned for creating international regattas of the highest quality and for its generous Irish hospitality.

The Gold Cup has always been an event aimed at fostering camaraderie amongst the teams and their friends and family. In addition to a superb social programme, which will include opening and closing ceremonies and a special 80th Anniversary gala dinner at Actons Hotel, plus après sailing daily and other social events.

As Afloat reported previously, already, several companies have confirmed their sponsorship of the event, including principal sponsor Astra Construction Services Ltd, a Carrier-based residential construction company, whose managing director Stephen McCarthy will also provide the committee boat for the regatta. TNG Swiss Watches are signed up as the official timekeeper and will be presenting timepieces to the Gold Cup Open and Corinthian Champion helms. Guinness and Cork City Council are also onboard as sponsors, whilst Actons, The Trident and Perryville House hotels will be offering special rates for competitors, which can be booked via the event website.

Heading up the organising committee is Maeve Cotter, an experienced Dragon sailor with international event management experience. “I am really looking forward to welcoming our Dragon sailing friends to our lovely harbour for the Kinsale YC Dragon Gold Cup in 2024 and to celebrating the 80th anniversary of this historic competition.”

Kinsale Yacht Club's commitment to promoting inclusiveness in sailing has been rewarded with a win in Wednesday night's (November 29) Cork's Sports Partnership Active Community Award.

As Afloat reported previously, Sailability Kinsale and KYC promoter Donal Hickey were nominated as finalists in the 'active community' section. 

The win has been applauded by Kinsale Commodore Matthias Hellstern, who broke the news this morning: "I am delighted to report that KYC Sailability Class won the community awards yesterday evening."

Hellstern said it was "an amazing achievement" and congratulated "all the volunteers who contributed so much to the class to make it such a success".

As regular Afloat readers know, in June, the West Cork club welcomed the Minister of State at the Department of Children, Equality and Disability, Anne Rabbitte, to launch its new Sailability fleet of access dinghies and a new Whaly Safety boat.

Sailability Ireland is a ‘not-for-profit’ organisation that encourages wider participation and has provided the resources to purchase specially adapted boats.

For more on KYC Sailability listen to Tom Macsweeney's 2019 podcast here and see photos from June's Sailability launch at KYC by Bob Bateman here

Kinsale Yacht Club's commitment to promoting inclusiveness in sailing has been recognised with nominations for the annual Cork's Sports Partnership awards.

Sailability Kinsale and KYC promoter Donal Hickey have both been nominated as finalists in the 'active community' section of Wednesday's awards.

Sailability Kinsale and KYC promoter Donal Hickey have both been nominated as finalists in the 'active community' section of Wednesday's awards

As regular Afloat readers know, in June the West Cork club welcomed the Minister of State at the Department of Children, Equality and Disability, Anne Rabbitte, to launch its new Sailability fleet of access dinghies and a new Whaly Safety boat.

Sailability Ireland is a ‘not-for-profit’ organisation to encourage wider participation and has provided the resources to purchase specially adapted boats.

Minister of State at the Department of Children, Equality and Disability, Anne Rabbitte, with Kinsale Yacht Club's Sailability promoter Donal Hickey at the launch of the new fleet in June  Photo: Bob Bateman

Listen to Tom Macsweeney's 2019 podcast here and see photos from June's Sailability launch at KYC by Bob Bateman here

Ten yachts raced in the IRC Fleet 1 on the fifth day of Kinsale Yacht Club’s Victoria Antiques White Sail October-November Series on Sunday.

Gavin Lawlor’s ‘Genesis’ won the race, with Thomas Roche’s ‘Meridian’ second and John Godkin’s ‘Godot’ third. ‘Genesis’ leads the league overall, with David Riome’s ‘Valfreya’ second and ‘Meridian’ third.

Under ECHO, handicap ‘Meridian’ leads with ‘Godot’ second and Gerard & Mathilde Campbell’s ‘Cirrus’ third.

Thomas Roche’s ‘Meridian’ leads Kinsale Yacht Club’s Victoria Antiques White Sail October-November Series under ECHO handicap Photo: Bob Bateman

In Fleet 2 IRC where four boats are racing, Padraig O’Donovan’s ‘Chameleon’ continues to lead, having won again on Sunday. Albert O’Neill’s ‘Sallybelle’ finished second and is second overall. Patrick Sparrow’s ‘An Fanai’ finished third on Sunday. In the overall positions Patrick Beckett’s ‘Miss Charlie’ is in third place.

Under ECHO handicap in Fleet 2 seven boats raced on Sunday and the winner was ‘An Fanai’. Second was ‘Odie’ (Anthony Griffin) and third Raymond Hanley’s ‘Toroloco.’ The leader under this handicap is ‘Odie’ with ‘Toroloco’ second and ‘An Fanai’ third.

Kinsale Yacht Club resumed its October/November White Sails series on Sunday; after two cancellation days, John Stallard’s ‘Siboney’ won both IRC and ECHO handicaps in Fleet 1.

Gerard and Mathilde Campbell’s ‘Cirrus’ was second in IRC, and Michael Carroll’s ‘Chancer’ was third. Under ECHO handicap ‘ Chancer’ was second, and Sam Cohen’s ‘Gunsmoke II’ was third.

After four races, with two to go, David Riome’s ‘Valfreya’ is the IRC leader in the Victoria Antiques-sponsored league, on eight points. This is one ahead of Sunday’s race winner ’Cirrus’, which, in turn, is just one ahead of ‘Siboney’.
In ECHO handicap overall ‘Cirrus’ leads, on 8 points, from Thomas Roche’s ‘Meridian’ on 10 and ‘Gunsmoke’ on 11.

There is close competition in Fleet 1, which has eleven yachts entered.

In Fleet 2 IRC, where four boats are racing, the leader is Padraig O’Donovan’s ‘Chameleon,’ which completed a hat-trick on Sunday, winning a third time in the four races sailed so far, for a total of three points.

‘Miss Charlie’ (Patrick Beckett) is second on five, and ‘Sallybelle’ (Albert O’Neill) is third on seven. Under ECHO, handicap eleven are entered. Two boats are tied on eight points at the top of the fleet – Anthony Griffin’s ‘Odie’ and Raymond Hanley’s ‘Toroloco’. ‘Chameleon’ is next.