Waterford Harbour Sailing Club's Julian Hughes has leapt into the lead of the 1720 European Championships at the Sovereigns Cup in Kinsale.
The result, after three light air races sailed in ten knots or less, is quite an upset in the 24-boat fleet, given so many of the predicted top-ranked teams are not near the podium after day one.
Hughes and his Root 1 crew scored an opening race win and followed it with two seconds to be on five points and four clear of the 'After Headcase' crew of Dickson, Mulloy, Ryan, Glynn and O’Byrne.
Tight racing in the 24-boat 1720 European Championships at the Sovereigns Cup off Kinsale Photo: Bob Bateman
Shane Hughes (no relation), Paris ILCA 7 Olympic trialist Ewan McMahon, Matthew Cotter and Flying Fifteener Charlie Boland are sailing with Hughes.
In third place overall is defending European champion Ross & Robbie McBearla of Howth YC and Royal Cork YC on 14 points.
Anyone who might have thought that the Ross McDonald & Co on Atara would have an easy time of it defending their 1720 European Championship title will have to tear up that script based on the evidence of the first day’s racing off sun-soaked Kinsale. Julian Hughes and team on Root 1 may have set the pace with a bullet and two seconds, but seven different boats shared the nine available podium places today – such was the tight racing enjoyed by the fleet.
Rob O’Leary on Dutch Gold currently lies in sixth place by virtue of consistent performance, the only team in the top eight not to land a top-three finish in any race.
The forecast sea breeze filled in before the third race Photo: Bob Bateman
After a short postponement, racing got underway and out of the blocks, Root 1 took a commanding lead in Race 1. Waterford Harbour clubmate Rob McConnell came home second, and Donagh Good from RCYC claimed the final podium spot.
OD Ciarán McSweeney got Race 2 underway promptly, and the fleet headed up the beat to the windward mark off Black Head. This time out, After Headcase claimed the bullet and Fionn Lyden on Spiced Beef was snapping at the transom of Root 1, which came home in second place.
The forecast sea breeze filled in before the third race so the course was realigned allowing competitors time to admire the white sail fleet that was passing through on their way to the Sandy Cove mark.
Tight racing in the 24-boat 1720 Euro fleet Photo: Bob Bateman
A tightly-bunched fleet battled their way up to the first mark, where a mid-fleet schmozzle at the mark saw one of the veteran stalwarts of the class end up in the water. Thankfully, there were no serious injuries and up front the Atara team got their show on the road with a welcome bullet to wipe away the stress of finding themselves stranded on the side of the M8 motorway with Atara just north of Mitchelstown the evening before!
The Root 1 team were not letting them away - claiming their second consecutive second place. And the winner of the recent Southern Championships - Dave Kenefick on Full Irish – claimed the final podium spot.
The fleet returned en masse to Kinsale providing onlookers with the spectacular sight of 24 1720s flying their colourful spinnakers as they made their way up the harbour past the historic Charles Fort.
Racing continues tomorrow with a further three races scheduled and first gun at 10:55 with more sunshine and champagne sailing on the menu.
1720 Sportsboat 2023 Europeans Championships at Kinsale. Photo Gallery by Bob Bateman
This is the 15th edition of the biennial regatta, which has attracted 90 entries across all divisions and runs from 21st to 24th June and this year incorporates the 1720 European sportsboat Championships.
Results below
