#royalcork – The penultimate Day of Royal Cork Yacht Club CH Marine Autumn Series provided plenty of exhilarating sailing writes Claire Bateman.
Yesterday was the penultimate day of the Royal Cork CH Marine Autumn Series and such were the conditions a decision was taken to cancel Whitesail 1, 2 and Class 4. However, the 1720s had a fantastic day and as the 1720 Race Officer, Anthony O'Leary commented, they got good value for money as they got in three races and they were competitive right throughout the fleet. Sailing with smaller jibs and threequarter spinnakers they sailed windward/leeward courses and many a 'Yahoo' was heard as they went downwind at high speed. At the top end of the fleet Nicholas O'Leary, four times in a row winner of the Irish Helmsman's Championship, and sailing T Bone, had keen competition from David Kenefick sailing Wet 'N Ready and just back from two years sailing the Figaro circuit. At the end of the day T Bone is top of the leaderboard for the class and the final day of racing next Saturday will be interesting to watch.

Meanwhile, further in the harbour RO Peter Crowley for Classes 1, 2 and Three set up Sparetime using No. 13 as the Pin End and sent Classes 1 and 2 on a windward/leeward course up to Whitepoint and on their way they passed the original home of the Royal Cork Yacht Club at Haulbowline where the club was founded in 1720.

Class Three were sent on a shorter windward/leeward course to No. 20 off Cobh. For their second race things got more interesting . They went on a beat to No. 20 again but this time they had a run to No. 11 then to No. 10, back to No. 11 and finished at the Cage.

Classes 1 and 2 for their second race also went to No. 20, a run to No. 11 on to 10, back to 11, back to 10, back to 11 and finished at the Cage. This proved to be quite a challenging race for the crews.

Also in the harbour today, and having an absolute ball in the conditions, were the hardy youngsters competing in their October 'Cobbler' League and here again it should be remembered that CH Marine were the sponsors of the Optimist National Championships at the Royal Cork this year.

The final race of the series will be held next Saturday with the prize giving dinner taking place that evening.

#rcyc – Royal Cork Yacht Club (RCYC) is eyeing up a return to the celebrated 'Dinghy Weeks' of thirty years ago after buoyant turnouts this season for a number of key open events including September's RS class Open and the CH Marine Optimist National Championships at the Munster Club.  Afloat.ie reported on the prospect of the return of the famous format a month ago when a fleet of more than 40 RS400s, 200s and Fevas rounded off their season in Crosshaven on a high note with brilliant conditions for downwind surfing and upwind tactics that set a benchmark for the rekindled Dinghy Week idea.

According to a report in this morning's Irish Times, the Cork Harbour club has named the 2015 date and has interest from eight classes so far. RCYC Rear Admiral Kieran O'Connell told the newspaper 'The response has been massive in every fleet we've spoken to'. 

It is understood August 21 to 23 are the dates selected and the event will be organised to national championship standard.

#royalcork – Today was another wonderful October day for the CH Marine Autumn Series writes Claire Bateman. There was bright sunshine after a night of dense fog that cleared exactly as had been forecast. The wind in the outer harbour was 10 to 14 knots from the east but in the inner harbour the Wind Gods were not quite so kind and the wind was a little bit softer about 5 to 7 knots.

Speaking of the lighter wind in the harbour, RO for Classes 1, 2 and 3, Peter Crowley, would have liked to finish his fleets inside but given the reports of light winds, opted instead for two triangle courses which as it turned out were rather exciting to watch and the racing was not without its moments. In Class 3 there was a coming together and both boats retired. For the second race there was an individual recall and Tom Roche's Meridian returned to restart. Also in the second race Ian Nagle's Jelly Baby was playing a blinder and came into the weather mark in the first round in second place. It was a 4.2m tide with low water about 3pm and there were a lot of alternative approaches to the beat. The J80, J92 and the Main Four seemed to be having a ding dong battle on the reach and a bit of a luffing match ensued.

However, inside the harbour David O'Brien's fleets were sent off from the committee boat, anchored near the No. 8 buoy, in what was the best order, Class 4 first, WS2 and then WS1. They were given a beat to the No. 11 buoy and then back to No. 8 where the course was then shortened. In the second race they were sent off on what was effectively a triangle course. Indeed one wag was heard to mutter that the fastest thing in the harbour for the afternoon was a ship coming through the fleet and indeed any yachts in the path of this ship were quickly shepherded away by Gavin Deane and Mark Ring.

Meanwhile Anthony O'Leary had his 1720 fleet down off Cuskinny and they looked quite interesting when the wind eventually filled in during the afternoon.

This series counts for SCORA (South Coast Offshore Racing Association) and we hope to have an update on this during the coming week.

Sunday next will be see the penultimate race of the series with the final race on the following Saturday followed by the prize giving dinner always a highlight of the season.

#chmarine – Yesterday luck was on the side of the organisers of the CH Marine Autumn series at Royal Cork Yacht Club as the full quota of races was sailed before the worst of the weather that had been forecast started to come in writes Claire Bateman. There was a calm before the storm as the yachts headed out this morning. When they got out into Cork Harbour there about 12 knots of wind greeted the fleet but during racing as rain squalls were passing through winds rose to about 25 knots and for the final half hour of racing it rose to approximately 30 knots. Luckily Cork Harbour, as always, was available and with RO Peter Crowley in Sparetime anchored off Cuskinny, Classes 1,2 and 3 were given a windward/leeward course while off the corner of Spike Anthony O'Leary in Irish Mist gave an enlarged 1720 fleet a windward/leeward course to a laid mark on the Curlane Bank and David O'Brien went to the Eastern side of the harbour off Whitegate where he was able to set a course round the navigation buoys for Whitesail 1, 2 and Class 4.

It was a day for boats with good beating ability given a very strong 4m flood tide and a south westerly wind. With the very squally conditions being experienced good crew handling had to be at a premium. A number of yachts suffered minor gear failure in the form of broken halyards, torn sails etc., and in the second race it was only the bravest of the bold flew spinnakers and they surely were rewarded with an exhilarating ride for their endeavours.

As is usual in handicap racing there are always one or two boats who end up competing with each other on the water and nowhere more so than in the case of Kinsale's Conor Doyle's X42 'Freya' and KYC Vice Commodore Tom Roche in his Salona 45 'Meridian'. On the water in Race 1 of the day Conor Doyle was leading the battle but in the second race the position was reversed and Freya eventually had to retire with gear failure. However, on handicap there was no stopping Rob McConnell's A35 'Fools Gold' from WHSC who notched up another two wins in IRC to match his result from Day One of the Series. Ian Nagle's J109 'Jelly Baby' from Royal Cork put in a competitive performance against Fools Gold but had to be content with the number two spot.

Meanwhile the Whitesail 1 fleet went on a course to No. 6 port, E1 starboard, W2 starboard, E4 port, Cage starboard and finish. In today's conditions Dan Cross in 'Yoshi' looked splendid as he was beating out against the tide in the freshening breeze but leading on the water was the more race orientated John Downing's Samba reveling in the stronger conditions. For the second race of the day David O'Brien reversed the order of the start and sent off Class 4 first and this worked very well. An unusual incident took place when relaying the mark after the Class 4 start of race 2. When the anchor was pulled up it was found to have a cavity block embedded in it!!

All in all it is great to be able to enjoy excellent racing in October and assuming that conditions next Sunday permit even one race to be sailed, there will be a discard applied and we will then see the picture more clearly for all of the fleets.

Racing will continue next Sunday

#royalcork – Yesterday saw an auspicious start to day one of the CH Marine Autumn Series at Royal Cork writes Claire Bateman. The weather saw to it that the day produced excellent conditions for the start of this major and very popular annual event even if the wind was light The sun was shining, there was a light south easterly breeze and flat water, it was like a July day. With seventy boats, including many most welcome visitors from clubs around the south taking to the water all champing at the bit to get to the start line well ahead of the first gun, the fleet made a great sight pouring down the river all eager for action and the promise of a great day ahead. Then there was that brief uncanny feeling, almost a loneliness, that always prevails when yachts go to sea, of emptiness and silence while breaths were being drawn before preparations got get underway for other classes getting ready for their racing of the day with the excitement and preparation starting all over again. All of great interest for those enjoying their morning coffee on the patio area in the brilliant weather.

The entries today seemed to confirm what has gradually become obvious for the past couple of seasons and that is the growth of the white sail fleet. This was certainly in evidence with the increase of numbers in the fleets. The Whitesail fleets normally considered the gentlemens' class did not live up to their reputation today as there was much shouting on the start line. Their sailing yesterday was inside the harbour with Race Officer David O'Brien and they had a course to No. 7, back to No. 14, which was a very slow leg against the tide, and then to No. 6 where the course was shortened.

Close action in the 1720s. More photos below

Classes I, 2 and 3 were sailing outside the harbour and they had a windward/ leeward course with Race Officer Peter Crowley. Many of the yachts had to place the crews on the leeward side such were the conditions. The race was shortened after one round of the course.

In the second race these classes were given windward/leeward courses again but this time they were brought back into the harbour where they made a splendid spectacle joining up with the White Sail and 1720 fleets and they were finished in the harbour by Peter Crowley who had moved inside and positioned Sparetime off the Grassy line at the Cage Buoy.

In a change for the Autumn series the 1720s had their own course with Anthony O'Leary as Race Officer, and given that this is a One Design fleet it made for a very efficient way of running this fleet in the series.

Racing continues next Sunday, October 5th.

#The inaugural RCYC Inter Club Cup was sailed in Cork last Saturday. Event organiser Nicholas O'Leary and his team with Race Officer Bryan Hassett set up two parallel race courses with an exclusion zone between the race areas. Racing took place in an eight to twelve knot north easterly breeze off the Curlane Bank near the entrance to Cork Harbour. Match racing in 1720's with adult crews took place on the northern course and team racing in Fireflys with youth crews took place on the southern course.

After a series of round robins two semi finals and a final were sailed on both match and team racing courses. Racing was very close with the finals going to the last race in the "best of three" finals format. After some very tense racing Baltimore Sailing Club came out on top in both team and match racing finals.

Firefly: Darragh McCormack, Rosa Lyden, Eoin Lyden, Florence Lyden.

1720: Peter O'Leary, Youen, Jacob, Maria Coleman, Tom Hegarty.

#royalcork – Today was a great day when the Sutton Book Junior Team arrived at the Royal Cork Yacht Club to compete for the Sutton Junior Book and received a warm welcome after their trip from Sutton Dinghy Club writes Claire Bateman.

The morning had started out misty but the fog cleared steadily to make way for a beautiful sunny day but with only about 3 knots of light breeze from the east. Having tossed a coin to select the boats both teams headed out to the Curlane Bank where they awaited breeze to start racing. The breeze failed to materialize so they moved further towards Spike where a course was laid. Race one commenced and the Royal Cork team were a little more sure of themselves being on home waters and following a penalty on one of the Sutton boats resulting in a penalty turn that race was won by the home team. Race two was a different kettle of fish. The Sutton team were growing stronger and there was a lot more panache about them and they went on to win that race.

Next on the race programme was the changing of the boats between the teams and with the sides level everybody was on tenterhooks.

And so it came all came down to the final race as all good events should do and despite the best efforts of Race Officer, Stephen O'Shaughnessy, several attempts to start resulted in general recalls. Finally, with the wind filling from the south west, two of the Royal Cork boats got away cleanly and led first and second with the third boat left to fend off the Sutton team and doing a pretty good job at this with the result Royal Cork were able to take the event.

The event today was a follow on to the sailing of the Senior Sutton Book in Sutton in August. Speaking after racing Rear Admiral Dinghies, RCYC, Celine McGrath, expressed her thanks to Sutton Dinghy Club for reviving this wonderful tradition in this the club's 75th anniversary year and to Andy Johnson, Sutton Commodore, whose perseverance led to the Senior leg taking place in August which was won by Sutton, and the Junior leg today that the Royal Cork won. She also expressed her thanks to Stephen O'Shaughnessy, Race Officer, Jim McGinley for mark laying, Tom Crosbie, Umpire, and to Wendy and Martin for helping and ferrying the Sutton team to Cork.

Winners –L to R Rear Admiral Dinghies Celine Mc Grath,Grattan Roberts, Jamie Tingle, Thomas Mc Grath, Admiral Pat Lyons, Suzi Fitzpatrick, Jill Mc Ginley, Rebecca O'Shaughnessy

#rssailing – The Royal Cork Yacht Club was buzzing at the weekend, with what was a great precursor to next year's dinghy week. The RS fleets were in town for their final event of what has been a bumper Irish calendar full of well attended competitive and fun events by David Rose (RS-Association Ireland).

Tents were being welcomed and pitched on the lawn, and dinghies were arriving in great numbers on the Friday night and Sat morning. The weather was playing ball and giving us wind and the impression that it was still summer. The red carpet was rolled out by a club that draws on its people and facilities to run top class events in a really friendly way. Small details make these occasions and there was little left undone, with shore helpers and soup waiting at the top of the slip for competitors, and a few free pints to help ease the aching bones on the Saturday night. Celine McGrath not only ran the event ashore but also helped on board the OOD boat during the racing. Results were hitting the website as the boats were finishing, just another detail that makes a noticeable difference.
Barry Rose was our race officer and employed the great help of a top notch team, including Ciaran Mc Sweeney who had ran an excellent RS sprint event earlier in the year out of MBSC, and RCYC's Eddie Rice who along with the rest of the team provided exceptional racing, with no delays of any kind all weekend. The course was changed so fast when needed that the competitors hardly noticed, and everything from course length to the quality of the line was impeccable.
First order of business for Barry and his team was to decide which of the many race area's available in Cork would best suit the forecast on Saturday, and after going out on a rib before the briefing, he established that the conditions outside Roches Point, with a small swell and a nice breeze would provide the best racing.
The 40 teams in their double handed dinghies made a fantastic sight snaking out the Owenabue River and around Camden and then Roches to do battle on Sat Morning. When they arrived they found a course ready to go and once the last competitors had arrived, racing got under way in brilliant conditions that allowed for surfing downwind and good tactical upwind racing.

RS400 Race Report: 21 Teams, 6 Races, One discard

Race one saw RCYC's David Rose and Ian Hef lead the way for two rounds on home turf, until being reeled in and passed by John Downey and Sandy Rimmington (MBSC) and the ever present Sean Cleary and Steven Tyner on the final beat.
Race two saw National Champions Alex Barry and Richie Leonard record a bullet followed by Dave Cheyne and Stephen Kane (NDLL) who would remain consistent for the remainder of the regatta and gain a podium position of 3rd place overall.
Race three was all about Sean Cleary and Steven Tyner (GSC) who have had a fantastic season, including winning the Eastern's and recording a very credible 10th at the UK Nationals. For most of the race, they were challenged hard by John Downey and Sandy Rimmington, but there challenge was to end abruptly in a post weather mark incident that resembled losing a front wing in a formula one car. When the dust settled John's bowsprit was broken and they had to limp home in luckily for them the final race of the opening day.
Overnight Andrew Alego and P. Nolan (RSGYC) were well placed as was Andy Verso and Oisn Baugh (GSC). The racing had been close and there was a lot to play for on day two.
On day two Barry Rose decided that with a bigger swell and more breeze forecast it was prudent to race the fleet in harbour. Cuskinny is a great place to race with a strong easterly, and despite a more tidal race course, it was a great call, allowing the fleets to get in 3 more exhilarating races in great breeze, watched by a flotilla of motor boats and yachts that came out to see these exciting fleets in action.
Alex Barry and Richie Leonard had a fantastic battle with Sean Cleary and Steve Tyner in race four, and this would prove to the be order of business for the day.
David Rose and Ian Hef were back in the mix recording a two and a three in race five and six to finish fourth overall. Dave Cheyne and Stephen Kane were excellent in the conditions and a third and two sixths would earning them a well-deserved third overall.
For the top honours there was little between Alex and Richie and Sean and Steve, both teams battled hard all day, overtaking each other many times. This was a tight affair with no shortage of drama, including a swim in Race five for Alex and Richie, which they recovered from admirably.
Sean and Steve on "Yachtsman Euromarine" were in poll position going into the last race, but the margin was slim and Alex and Richie knew if they could overhaul their competitors in the final race they would win on count back, and that is ultimately what happened.
Alex Barry and Richie Leonard are 2014 Southern Champions.
Alex Barry's post event observation:
"It is very exciting to see RS dinghy sailing hitting great heights at the moment in Ireland. I hope to see the fleets in Cork again next year for Dinghy week. Thanks for great organisation and race management and to the RCYC for a great weekend."

RS200 Race Report: 12 Teams, 6 Races, One discard

A good turnout for the final event of the season for the 200 fleet, made for some very competitive racing, and we may see a cork fleet develop next season in this exciting class. Ronan O'Driscoll and Shane Dunlea are sailing out of MBSC and many heads were turned in the RCYC at the weekend, by a boat that combines high performance and well worked out systems that are easy to use.
Day one was all about Marty O'Leary and Rachel Williamson (RSGYC), who mastered the conditions and dominated the fleet with a clean sweep of three race wins from three on day one. Marty had made the move from competing well in the 400 with Brian Fenlon recording an 8th at the Nationals in Galway this year.
Blair Stanaway and Heather King (RSGYC/Westport) were hanging in there with two seconds and a third to open, as were Stephen Craig and Conor Foley (RSGYC) with two thirds and a second.
It was to be more of the same from Marty and Rachel on day two, recording an impressive fourth race win from four, before allowing Blair and Heather to win the fifth race. Marty and Rachel however had now won the RS200 Southern title with a race to spare in a superb first outing.
Second was Blair and Heather two points back and third was Stephen Craig and Conor Foley a further five points adrift.
The 200 is a newer boat than the 400 and has a lower weight band being similar but slightly less powerful. The fleet in the UK is very large and strong, allowing easy access to affordable and fast second hand boats. There are also demo boats available in Ireland so please enquire if you are interested in getting involved. We are expecting growth next year country wide in this exciting class.

RSFeva Race Report: 9 Teams, 6 Races, One discard

The Feva class was full of RCYC competitors, making up over fifty percent of entries.
One of the bigger challenges of Day one was getting out to the race course through the tidal rush and sea one often gets in the entry to Cork harbour.
Once out there, the Feva's started an exciting series that saw Lorcan Tighe and Cian Murphy of NYC winning race one, with Dara Donnelly and Rosemar Tyrell (NYC/RIYC) second.
Donnelly and Tyrell were to finish second in the other two races of the day and were level on points with Sarah Cudmore and Kelly Williams (RCYC) after day one. Sarah and Kelly won race two and three and established themselves as favourites.
Day two, and to the in-harbour course and more wind. It was business as usual for Sarah Cudmore and Kelly Williams winning a further two races and taking the championship in fine style with a race to spare. Lorcan Tighe and Cian Murphey who sailed really well to three seconds on the Sunday were second overall, three points clear of Dara Donnelly and Rosemar Tyrell in Third. Suzi Fitzpatrick and Aine Riche (RCYC) won the final race to sit fourth.
Other honours went to first lady crew in the 400, Laura Holohan, she finished sixth overall with helm Paul McMahon. Sheela Lewis took first lady Helm and 14th overall in the 400 (John Lewis crewing). In the 200 Sarah Byrne took top lady Helm (crewed by Tom Gillan) and champion Rachel Williamson also took home top lady crew in the 200 (Marty O'Leary at the helm).

See here for full results

#2kteamracing – Teams from Howth Yacht Club and the Royal Cork Yacht Club travelled to Porto Ercole, Tuscany for the Italian- Cala Galera leg of the 2014 2K team Racing Circuit, from the 5th to 7th of September. Both teams enjoyed high intensity racing, some very tight matches, exceptional racing conditions, and beautiful scenery.

The Royal Cork team, led by skippers Fred Cudmore and George Kinsgton won 6 of the 9 races in the round robin, over the first and second day of the event. They went into day 3 of the event in second place, and faced the highly experienced 2K racers, Yacht Club Costa Smerelda in the first to two wins semi final. Racing went down to the wire, but unfortunately YCCS won 2-1. The Rebel army won their petit final, against the British Team Magnum, finishing the regatta in 3rd place. YCCS stormed on to beat the Rome Racing Team in the final.

Howth Yacht Club, competing at their first 2K event, had a slow start getting in only two races of their round robin on Friday. With more breeze on day 2, skippers Simon Rattigan and Geoff Tait were more in the groove of the 2 v 2 racing and they went on to win 4 from 7 of their races. On day 3, the team had the best seats in the house to watch the gold fleet finals, from their luxurious changeover yacht. They then took part in the "king of the castle" silver fleet final, and finished the event in 9th place.

The Royal Cork were represented by: Fred Cudmore, Emma Geary, Philip O'Leary, Sarah O'Leary, George Kingston, Ian Mc Namee, Philip Mc Glade, and Eimear O'Leary.
Howth were represented by Simon Rattigan, Aoife English, Ross Mc Donald, Rachel O'Brien, Geoff Tait, Lisa Tait, Rob Kerley and Jess Armstrong.

Full event report and results are available here

#rnli –The Autumn Series at Royal Cork Yacht Club is rapidly approaching writes Claire Bateman. Once again the Cork Harbour club is extremely fortunate to have CH Marine sponsoring the series, one of the premier highlights of the sailing season at the club that always attracts large numbers of sailors from a wide variety of clubs from around Ireland. CH Marine have sponsored this event for a number of years and have enabled the club to stage the magnificent and popular event that it is.

This year the Autumn Series will commence on Saturday, September 27th with the first two races and will follow with two races each day on October 5th, October 12th, October 19th and finishing on October 25th. Racing will commence each day at 11.55hrs. and will be followed each day by food, live music and daily prize giving. Notice of Race and Entry forms downloadable from www.royalcork.com.

On the the final day of racing the Autumn Series dinner and overall prize giving will be held at the club commencing at 19.30hrs. As always, this event sells out very quickly so early booking is advisable.

Subject to availability, complimentary berthing on swinging moorings or marina berths will be provided to yachts visiting Crosshaven from Friday, September 19th to Monday, October 27th 2014. For berthing arrangements please contact Mark Ring at Royal Cork office 353(0)214831023.

Earlier this year, a long standing and very highly regarded member of the Royal Cork Yacht Club and Commodore of SCORA, Vincent O'Shea, passed away. Vinny as he was fondly known to alL, is greatly missed by all who had the great pleasure of knowing him and also those who sailed with him. Now the Royal Cork Yacht Club is delighted to advise that Vinny's family and the crew of his beloved Yanks and Ffrancs have come together to present the club with the Vinny O'Shea Perpetual Trophy to be awarded for the Boat of the Month over the Autumn Series. This magnificent trophy will be awarded this year and each following year to the best overall performing yacht in the Royal Cork Autumn Series. The club wishes to take this opportunity to thank Vinny's family and crew for presenting this wonderful trophy that will continue to honour the memory of a great man, friend and sailor for many years to come.