Latest News

26th July 2011

Friday Night League - Race 13 report

Jim Buckley and his crew on Wader assumed OD duties for round 13 of Cove SC’s Friday Night League, last week. In a pleasant Northerly breeze, the mixed fleet of 10 spinnaker class boats and 4 white sail boats were started at EF2 before being sent to a weather mark at bouy number 13, off Cuskinny.  The fleet then ran to a gybe mark at bouy number 10 before reaching to an EF1 finish, via buoy numbers 11 and EF4.

The committee boat end was favoured off the line, with most of the fleet taking the gun on starboard and beating towards Cobh.  Arriving a little late, Jay snuck above Fergus Coughlan’s White Knight at the committee boat end, but had to tack quickly onto port as the Impala defended her position and came up into her preferred lane. The feet split in two, thereafter.  White Knight, for example, choose to stay on starboard as long as possible and delay her tack onto port until she was in sight of the layline for number 13. However, others, such as Bedlam and Sonar choose to tack early onto port and close with the shore before tacking again and seeking to lay the mark on starboard.  As is so often the case, this first beat proved to be decisive. At the head of the fleet, Kodachi, Bedlam, Sonar, White Knight and Jay rounded the weather mark in quick succession, a significant distance ahead of the rest of the fleet.

The run to number 10 was uneventful and passing opportunities were limited. Sonar Bedlam, White Knight and Jay all chose to sail for height in the hope of catching possibly greater pressure on the right hand side of the run. Kodachi, on the other hand, sailed a deeper line and encountered difficulties in the lee of an anchored vessel.  Jay lost significantly here. Sailing a little too high, she was caught under-powered as she bore away onto the mark and lost contact with the lead group. She never re-established contact the leaders.

A tight reach was sailed between buoy number 10 and the penultimate mark at EF4. Skippers chose to employ contrasting tactics here.  Sonar dropped her spinnaker and sailed an initially high line for the mark before bearing away and soaking down onto EF4 in good style.  Bedlam and Jay, on the other hand, chose to fly their spinnakers for as long as possible, sailing a deeper line, before dropping and reaching to the mark, under headsail.  Further down the fleet, Away on Business and Gaelic Kiwi had an interesting battle. The Formula 28 came out on top on this occasion, when the GK24 was forced to sail too high in traffic, ultimately missing the mark at EF4 and loosing significant time whilst retracing her steps.

Sonar placed first in IRC with Bedlam second  and White Knight third. Jay won the Echo division, with White Knight in second and Kodachi third. Serendipity sailed well to place first in ‘white sail’.

Overall, July’s top-performers – Sonar and Bedlam, continue to pile the pressure on season-long pace setters – Gaelic Kiwi and Re Eile. Sonar and Bedlam have now placed 1st and 2nd in each of the last three races whilst Gaelic Kiwi and Re Eile’s impressive early season form has been replaced by a string of mid-fleet finishes.

19th July 2011

Friday Night League - July Prize-giving 29/7 in the Quays bar

This months prize-giving will be held in the Quays Bar, Cobh. We will head in to Cobh after the finish of the Friday race and the prize-giving will start as soon as we can probably about 10.30PM. Usual format with weekly prizes for race winners and overall prizes for 1st, 2nd, 3rd places for the month of July.

During the evening we will be collecting on behalf of the Cobh People's Regatta. Finger food will be provided by the Quays and the usual refreshments will be available. Please make every effort to attend. ALL WELCOME. 

Friday Night League - Race 12 report

Cove SC’s senior dingy sailing instructor – Gillian Roche (Hydaway) took a break from her usual club duties to take charge of round 12 of the Friday Night League, last weekend. From a startline at EF1, the OD chose to send the 10 spinnaker class boats and 5 ‘whitesail’ boats to EF2, EF4, and buoy number 11 before turning them for home at buoy number 9, off Whitegate.  The fleet then ran back to an EF 1 finish, via EF4.

Finbarr Dorgan’s Sonar was again the boat to beat on the water, taking first in IRC. The sportsboat has now won 4 of the 5 races she has sailed. Thunderbird’s Denis Coleman and Wot Like’s Niall Kelly joined this experienced crew on the night. Bedlam offered most resistance to the Sonar, again. Despite having a different helm for the third time in four races, the well-prepared Impala was unluckly to finish in second place, only 2 seconds adrift of the Sonar, on corrected time. The Alastair, Doyle and Russell owned boat will surely be in the hunt for honours again this year. Fergus Coughlan’s White Knight took third on the night, whilst Re Eile and Gaelic Kiwi, were a little further back in fourth and fifth , respectively.

With two thirds of the league’s races now sailed, Kevin O’Connor’s Gaelic Kiwi retains top spot in IRC, with Re Eile in second and Bedlam in third. While discards will inevitably determine where the title goes, it is hard to look beyond this group of boats for the winner of this year’s Friday Night League. A tight mid-table group of Sonar, Jay, Kodachi and White Knight are only separated from one another by one or two points on average, but lie some 15 to 20 points back from the leaders.

Robert Keating’s Serendipity placed first in white sail Pat Hayes’ diminutive Minstrel sailed to her best result of the season so far in second, with John Doyle’s Chanteuse, placing third. Chanteuse retains her lead in this competitive division. Jim Buckley’s Wader lies in second with Rory Allen’s Mystic in third.

 

12th July 2011

Friday Night League - Race 11 report

A breezy round 11 of the Friday Night League attracted a strong fleet of 14 boats, last weekend.

Starting at EF2, race officer - Denis Ellis, sent the eight spinnaker class boats and six ‘white sail’ boats on a long beat past Cobh, to a weather mark at number 15, off Whitepoint. The fleet then turned for home and ran back to an EF1 finish, via gybe marks at buoy numbers 18 and 9. The inveterate ‘rig-tweakers’ aboard Jay were caught with under-tensioned shrouds and were disasterously over-powered in the conditions, but the rest of the fleet enjoyed a fine sail up Cobh Road and back.

Finbar Dorgan’s Sonar impressed again, taking first in IRC. This win brings her tally to 3 firsts and 1 third from 4 races sailed this season.  Alastair, Doyle and Russell’s Bedlam came closest to Sonar on the night, finishing in second place, some 30 seconds adrift of the leader.  The well sailed Impala was helmed by Jason Losty, on this occasion.  Kevin O’Connor’s Gaelic Kiwi placed third, a further 5 minutes behind.  Gaelic Kiwi retains the first place position she has held all season.  However, both ‘the Kiwi’ and second placed Re Eile must now be casting nervous glances back at the hard charging Finbar Dorgan and crew. Nick O’Rourke’s Bright Wings placed first ECHO. Away on Business sailed well in second. Gaelic Kiwi placed third.

Carl Queen’s Maximiser was first White Sail boat home. However, John Doyle’s Chanteuse took first place on corrected time, followed by Rory Allen’s Mystic, Jim Buckley’s Wader and Robert Keating’s Serendipity.  It is a testament to the competitive nature of ‘White Sail’ that all boats in this diverse division finished within 5 minutes of each other, after nearly 1 hour 45 minutes on the water.  Chanteuse leads the White Sail division, overall. Wader lies in second place. Mystic is third.

7th July 2011

ALL WELCOME

5th July 2011

Cruiser roundup - week 10

Cove SC was busy last week as it hosted its Friday Night League, the ‘Cove at home’ dingy regatta and the ‘Cove at Home’ cruiser regatta, in quick succession.

Friday Night League – Round 10

The weekend’s sailing began on Friday with round 10 of the popular Friday Night League.  This was a hotly contested affair as recent absentees, Bedlam, Kodachi and Sonar rejoined the fleet and returned to competitive action.  In a light Southerly breeze, race officer - Fergus Coughlan chose to start the fleet at EF2 and thereafter set a fine Olympic style course, between the start-line, a weather mark at number 9 and a gybe mark at number 13.

With most skippers choosing to take the gun on starboard, the fleet beat towards Aghada before tacking onto port at the layline for number 9.  Jay lost heavily in this early phase.  Starting on port she was forced to dip the entire fleet and was immediately disadvantaged by her resultant mid-line start.  With a freshly scrubbed bottom, Away on Business performed well on the first beat and sailed competitively until a ripped spinnaker put pay to their charge.

At the head of the fleet, the Alastair, Doyle and Russell team, were joined aboard Bedlam by Aidan Kneeshaw and together they contrived to frustrate the under-crewed Corby 27, Kodachi. Bedlam placed first in IRC with Kodachi second and Sonar third.  Series leaders Re Eile and Gaelic Kiwi had a quiet night on the water - both finishing down the order.  Robert Keating’s Serendipity placed first in the ‘White Sail’ division with Wader second and Mystic third.  

Cobh @ Home 2011

Cove SC hosted the first of Cork’s historic ‘at home’ regattas last Sunday.  As with June’s Marlogue Trophy, a strong fleet of 11 Cove SC boats was joined on the startline by four Royal Cork YC boats and the mixed fleet enjoyed a highly competitive regatta in what can only be described as ‘Champagne Sailing’ conditions.  Yanks and Franks, Outrigger, Lady T and Indulgence represented Royal Cork YC, on this occasion.  Their presence was greatly appreciated by all those interested in maintaining the history and tradition of sailing in the harbour.

Race Officers, Paul Kenny and John O’Regan set a tight start line at number 13, off Cuskinny and took advantage of the gradually filling Southerly / South-westerly breeze to send the fleet on a good beat to number 8, off Currabinny.  The fleet then turned and ran back to number 11 before embarking on a series of short East-West reaches off Aghada, and finishing at EF1.

There was some incident on the start line.  Jay and Away on Business were caught far too high of the line, spectacularly missing the start sequence and eventually starting some 5 minutes behind the fleet.  The aggressively starting Sonar, on the other hand, appeared to time her run to perfection, only to be ruled OCS by the race officers aboard Samuel J.  All other boats got cleanly away. Tactics off the line came down to straight choice between wind and tide.  The fleet started on starboard but soon split in two, some choosing to stay on starboard and make the most of the out-flowing tide up the left hand side of the beat, others tacking onto port in search of potentially greater pressure from the slowly filling south-westerly breeze, on the Spit Bank.  Yanks and Franks, Outrigger and Bedlam led the fleet around the weather mark and remained at the head of the fleet throughout.  Finbarr Dorgan’s Sonar sailed extremely well to recover from her start-line error and join the leading group in the latter stages of the race.

Yanks and Franks placed first in class two (IRC), while Sonar placed first in Class three (IRC).  Indulgence took the hotly contested ‘White Sail’ division.  Eddie English’s Holy Grounder recovered from a penalty turn at EF2 to take second in this division.  Robert Keating’s Serendipity sailed consistently to place third. A particularly pleasing aspect of this regatta was the fact that all four Royal Cork YC boats accompanied the Cove SC fleet back to their East Ferry base and all crews enjoyed a sunny prize-giving ceremony at the idyllic Marlogue Inn.

4th July 2011

Cove @ Home 2011 pics

Alan O'Regan has posted lots of pics. of Sundays race at the following link:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/arun52/sets/72157627107550636/

Lots of great photos of all the boats taking part.

Thanks Alan.

Also Bob Bateman has posted photos up on his gallery on RCYC's website (link below)

RCYC Cobh at Home 2011

 

Special offers for Cove SC members from SailCork

Eddie English, SailCork,  is offering some great deals for Cove SC members.

If you are interested check out www.sailcork.com or call 021 4811237 for full details:

COURSES

VHF SRC1    1 day July 9th, €240 discounted to €210, (excludes examiner and Comreg fee)

VHF SRC 2   2 evenings Sept 6+8, €210, discounted to €190, (excludes examiner and Comreg fee)

ISA 1ST AID  1 evening+ 1 day Sept 30+Oct1st. €190, discounted to €150.

DINGHY INSTRUCTOR PRE ENTRY  2 days Aug 25+26, €300 discounted €250.

DINGHY INSTRUCTOR COURSE Oct midterm break, Oct 24-28th, €495 discounted €425

CRUISING

Holidays and Courses for learners and skippers, also ICC test done.
Sail West, Cobh to Baltimore, 5 days, July 24-29,
Aug bank holiday in Baltimore
Calves week, sailing West Cork,
Sail Baltimore to Dingle
Sail Dingle to Cobh

All above less 10% to members of Cove SC.

30th June 2011

Cove @ Home 2011 Notice of Race and Sailing Instructions

Notice of Race and Sailing Instructions for Cove @ Home 2011. CRUISERS PLEASE CLICK HERE

Notice of Race and Sailing Instructions for Cove @ Home 2011. DINGHIES PLEASE CLICK HERE

28th June 2011

Cove @ Home 2011 Notice of Race - Cruisers

Cove @ Home

Cruiser Race (all classes)

Sunday 3rd July

FG 11.00 hrs.

Start Area: Cobh Promenade / Committee boat (listen out for instructions)

VHF Channel 69

Prize-giving afterwards in The Marlogue Inn

All Welcome

27th June 2011

Friday Night League - 24/6 Race review

A smaller fleet than usual came to the line for round 9 of Cove SC’s Friday Night League, last Friday. While the inclement weather and forecast of 30-35 knot gusts prompted some initial talk of a postponement, a fleet of 11 boats enjoyed a great night’s sailing in Cork Harbour. An excellent ‘end-of-month’ prize-giving barbeque was later held at the Quays Bar in Cobh, in conjunction with the start of the first ‘Cobh Traditional Sail weekend’.

Race officer, Robert Keating, set an ‘L-shaped’ course on the night. Starting at EF2, the fleet were sent into the teeth of a stiff South Westerly breeze to a weather mark at number 8, off Crosshaven, before running to a gybe mark at number 13, off Cuskinny, and reaching to a finish back at EF2.

Most Skippers chose to take the gun on port and beat towards the Spit Lighthouse before tacking onto starboard and skirting the first of the incoming tide on the eastern edge of the channel. The leading boats in particular, chose to stay as long as possible on starboard, waiting until the last moment before tacking under Fort Carlisle and dashing across the tide to number 8. Re Eile led the fleet around the weather mark, closely followed by Away on Business, Jay and Gaelic Kiwi.

Finishing positions were determined on the long run from number 8 to number 13.  Re Eile and Gaelic Kiwi both stretched their legs under spinnaker whilst the under-crewed Jay and Away on Business prudently chose not to hoist in the breezy conditions, and fell behind. Re Eile placed first in IRC on the night, with Gaelic Kiwi taking second and Jay third.  Rory Allen’s well sailed Mystic took first in ‘Whites’.

20th June 2011

Race Results Now Updated

Friday Night League - June prize-giving to kick off Cobh Traditional Sail weekend
 

The prize-giving for June will be held in The Quays Bar, Cobh. As usual prizes will be given to the class winners of each race plus prizes for overall 1st, 2nd & 3rd places for the month.

The evening will also mark the official opening of the very first Cobh Traditional Sail weekend being hosted by The Quays in association with the Naval Service Yacht Squadron and Cove SC. There will be the usual refreshments available plus a barbecue at a very reasonable €5 a head. Please come out and support this event especially if you are getting a prize. All welcome.

Full details of Cobh's Traditional Sail weekend including an entry form, sailing instructions and course card can be found on their website (click the link or the picture, right.).

17 June 2011

ICRA National Championships 2011

We'd like to wish the Cove boats and crew taking part in this years National Championships at Crosshaven the very best of luck.

Kodachi, Bedlam, Whyte Knight, and Gaelic Kiwi are all entered in their respective classes : 2, 3 and the newly created class 4.

You can follow their progress on the ICRA nationals website and we'll bring you updates as we get them. 

10 June 2011

Friday Night League -3/6 Race review

Weather conditions on the Eastern Bank made round 6 of Cove SC’s popular Friday Night League "a bit of a lottery". With the day’s light and variable West South Westerly winds showing no sign of strengthening, Race Officer - Nick O’Rourke - sensibly set a tight triangular course between EF 2, buoy  9 and EF4. The left hand side of the race course was favoured initially with most boats taking the gun on starboard and beating towards Aghada.  However, skippers soon tired of this, tacking onto port in the hope of catching more wind in the middle of the harbour. The Aghada side did indeed pay dividends on this occasion and those who stayed longest on starboard made significant gains down the left-hand side of the beat. Jay and Gaelic Kiwi certainly found a stronger band of pressure on the left hand side of the race course, and led the fleet around the weather mark.

Unfortunately, the run from 9 to EF4 brought the fleet through a "flukey" area of breeze and "the wind went everywhere" (Fergus Coughlan of White Knight). Even boats sailing in close proximity often seemed to be sailing in different conditions.  Some of the heavier ‘white sail’ boats decided to call it a night at this point but most of the spinnaker fleet stuck to the task at hand, gybing in search of advantage.

It was a tale of contrasting fortunes for early pace-setters – Jay and Gaelic Kiwi.  Gaelic Kiwi performed as well off the wind as on the beat, and went on to place first in IRC. Jay’s normally dependable down-wind performance deserted her and both Kodachi and Bedlam sailed comfortably through her on the run to the finish. Gaelic Kiwi placed first in IRC with Kodachi second and Bedlam  third. Robert Keating’s Serendipity placed first in the whitesail division

30th May 2011

Results - Friday Night League results now available.

Friday Night League - Friday 27/5 Race review

A strong and gusting south westerly breeze ensured that Cove SC’s cruiser fleet enjoyed "a lively night on the water" last Friday.

Race Officer, Kevin O’Connor chose to start the eight spinnaker class boats and four whitesail boats at EF1, before sending them "on a great beat to the weather mark at no 11", out the harbour to number 5, and back home via no.s 14 and 11.

There was incident a-plenty on what Re Eile, described as a "manic" start line. Huntress was severely compromised by her need to recover a crew member from the water in the period immediately before the five minute gun, but all other boats got cleanly away. An under-crewed Kodachi started particularly well – albeit courtesy of Bedlam, "who were quite gentlemanly" in not pressing for rights at the pin end. Most skippers choose to beat to no. 11 with a reduced sail plan. The prudence of this strategy was particularly evident on the trip from 11 to 5. Re Eile shook out her reefs early on this leg but soon felt over-powered in the gusts.  Bedlam, on the other hand, avoided the temptation to increase their sail area and remained well in control.

The fleet continued to sail conservatively on the reach back in from no 5, delaying their spinnaker hosts until after they turned for home at the no. 11 gybe mark. Jay, for one, paid the price of ambition, broaching spectacularly during an early spinnaker hoist. With the breeze abating slightly, the fleet had, what one skipper called "a lovely run to the finish" at EF1. As Damian Aherne of Re Eile, states "its a great way to finish the week - Blows the cobwebs out". Kodachi placed first in IRC with Bedlam second and Jay third.  Bombora placed first in ECHO with Bedlam second and Kodachi in third. Wader placed first in the white sail division. After five races, Re Eile retains top spot in IRC. 

26 May 2011

Friday Night League - Friday 20/5 Race review 

Cove SC’s cruiser racing programme moved into top gear last week as 12 boats came to the line for round four of their Friday night league. Eight boats contested the Spinnaker class. Finbarr Dorgan’s new Sonar impressed again, taking first in IRC. Denis Ellis’s Kodachi placed first in ECHO. Overall, Damian Ahern’s well sailed Moody 31, Re Eile, retains top spot in the spinnaker class (IRC).  However, Finbarr Dorgan’s latest bullet moves him to within striking distance of first, after only two weeks on the water. Kevin O’Connor’s consistently sailed GK 24 Gaelic Kiwi lies in third.

Four boats contested the Whitesail division. Jim Buckley’s Wader took first on this occasion, with Chanteuse second and Maximiser third. Wader lies in first place, overall. With two of last year’s top performers – Jay and Targeteer - set to get their campaigns underway this Friday, Cove SC’s Friday Night League looks set to become even more competitive in the coming weeks. 

23rd May 2011

Results - Friday Night League and May League results now available.

Friday Night League - May Prizegiving in Tradewinds Friday 27/5

It's the last Friday of the month this week and for a change we will be presenting the Friday Night League prizes for the month of May in Tradewinds, Cobh. As usual prizes will be given to the class winners of each race plus prizes for overall 1st, 2nd & 3rd places for the month. We'll head in to Cobh after Friday's race and so we expect the prizegiving should start about 9.30PM. There is loads going on in June to talk about with the Nationals, Cobh Traditional Sail, and the Sovereigns all taking place, as well as the usual Friday night racing so please make every effort to come along - especially if you are in line for a prize. All Welcome.

Update - ICRA National Championships 2011 (17-19 June)

RCYC and ICRA have announced today that they have agreed to extend the discounted entry fee of €125 until the end of this month. The  normal entry fee is €175 so there's every reason to enter now if you still haven't got around to it. Full details, including the entry form and notice of race are available on the RCYC website (or click on the orange logo below).

20th May 2011

Update - Cove Sailors compete in 2011 Laser SB3 World Championships

With at least one of the leading competitors quoted as saying that this years Championships was the hardest so far it was great news that both Kieran Dorgan on Sibelius and Jason Losty on Milvus Milvus made it through the first 2 days of qualifying races and in to the Gold Fleet. With only 2 discards allowed - one from the qualifying heats and the second from the final 3 days of racing, consistency was always going to be a deciding factor when the final results were announced. So we were delighted to learn that at the end of the 14 race series Sibelius had finished in 11th place, the highest placed Irish boat in this years World Championship. Milvus Milvus finished in 50th place and was the 3rd highest placed Irish boat. Congratulations to both of you from the Committee and all of us at Cove Sailing Club.

18th May 2011

Reminder - ICRA National Championships 2011 (17-19 June)

RCYC have confirmed they have received more than 50 entries for the ICRA Nationals and are expecting a fleet in excess of 100 boats by the time the Championship gets underway.

17th May 2011

Cruiser's weekend roundup

Cove SC had their biggest fleet of the season last Friday, as 10 boats came to the start line for round three of the Friday night league.  The breezy conditions suited Finbarr Dorgan’s new Sonar, which had a very successful first outing, taking first place in IRC with Bedlam finishing first in ECHO.  A hotly contested whitesail race was won by Carl Queen’s Maximiser.

Cove SC’s annual Marlogue trophy race was held on Sunday. Four Cove SC boats were joined on the start line by four Royal Cork YC boats.  Fast Buck, Yanks and Franks, Felix and No Gnomes are to be commended for continuing to support this historic race.

Fast Buck took first in the Echo division, with Bedlam second and Yanks and Franks third. The IRC division was won by No Gnomes, with Yanks and Franks in second and Bedlam in third. Thanks to Damian Aherne and the crew of Re Eile for performing OD duties and setting a great course.

Cove Sailors compete in 2011 Laser SB3 World Championships

Cove SC would like to wish best of luck to club members Kieran Dorgan (Sibelius) and Jason Losty (Milvus Milvus) who are both competing in the Laser SB3 World Championships at Royal Torbay Yacht Club (RTYC) this week.

Taking part in the 2011 Championship are 103 entries from 14 nations. The schedule is demanding with the entry split in to 2 fleets competing in 2 days of qualifying races, before being divided into Gold and Silver Fleets for the final 3 days of racing. In total, 14 races are scheduled over the 5 days of racing. You can follow their progress on the RTYC website (click this link). All the best, lads.

16th May 2011

Results - Friday Night League, May League and Marlogue Trophy results now available.

I.S.A Courses & Summer Camps

Now Available!

Places are limited so please book early.

Cove Sailing Club can offer you a choice of ISA accredited courses or a more relaxed time on the water with our “building experience” summer camps. We have the newest fleet available with a range of boats from Toppers and Topaz to Fevas, Omegas and Wayfarers. Our friendly instructors are highly qualified, experienced, and are truly passionate about teaching sailing.

Course Number 1	4th – 8th July	Start Sailing
Course Number 2	11th – 15th July	Basic Skills
Course Number 3	18th- 22nd July	Improving Skills
Course Number 4	25th – 29th July	Advanced Boat Handling
Course Number 5	2nd – 5th Aug	Start Sailing
Course Number 6	8th - 12th Aug	Basic Skills
Course Number 7	15th - 19th Aug	Improving Skills
Course Number 8	22nd – 26th Aug	Advanced Boat Handling

The "building experience" summer camps will also be run on the dates shown above. All enquires to Brenda or Marina at the office located at the Whitepoint Dinghy Park. The office will be open on Saturdays between 9:00 - 13:00 and 14:30 - 16:00.

Saturday dinghy news - Conditions frustrate dingy racers

Gillian Roche and her team of instructors "were quite" busy last Saturday as a variable north easterly breeze brought "fantastic sailing conditions" to the waters off Whitepoint.  Saturday morning’s low tide further complicated matters and the fleets had to push away from the shore, in search of water.

Ninety junior sailors participated in the day, and all did very well. Gillian commended the five instructors on duty but made special mention of Cove SC’s junior committee members, whose ongoing "help is hugely appreciated". Meanwhile, Richard Marshall and Gareth Dorgan accompanied two of Cove SC’s advanced dingy crews to Crosshaven, where they had hoped to participate in Royal Cork YC’s May Dingy league. Unfortunately, weather conditions were extremely challenging.  Dave Marshall and Rob Scandrett described the race area off Currabinny as being "very windy" before going on to outline how they purposely "capsized the boat before a squall and just decided to sit it out."  Cormac and Saibh adopted a similar tactic.

Richard Marshall explains – "A 40 knot squall came through and knocked everything.  The whole fleet, about 25 boats turned turtle so we were busy rescuing everybody and everything."  While stating that they had every confidence in both crew’s ability to sail in the conditions, Richard and Gareth sensibly decided to bring the crews home, without racing.  

10th May 2011

Cove SC’s Junior Sailing Programme Continues to Gather Pace

Thrills and spills were the order of the day last Saturday as Cove SC’s junior committee presided over a very successful first day of the junior season at Whitepoint Dinghy Park.

The junior committee’s organisation and attention to detail paid off as all grades of sailor got afloat in a testing 15-20 knot south-easterly breeze. The 120 juniors who participated were divided into different fleets, each with a dedicated time-slot and sailing ground. As is customary at Whitepoint, ISA safety standards and child protection guidelines were scrupulously adhered to and Cove SC’s team of six sailing instructors, beachmaster, and senior instructor ensured that all had an exciting and safe day afloat.

Richard Marshall put Cove SC’s advanced dingy sailors through their paces on the Oyster Bank, with the RS Fevas and Laser Radial revelling the in breezy conditions. Closer inshore, the beginner and intermediate fleets were overseen by Pat Bruton. Club instructor, Michael Bruton commended his group of level two sailors, saying that Cian and Aobhinn Sinnot, Laura and Jack Delaney, Ben Quigley and Ed Lane "all did very well" in conditions that were " fairly challenging".  Level one sailors, Eve Manley-Griffin and Lucy Stoat had "great fun" as well, learning to safely capsize and were "not scared at all".

Cove SC junior committee members were at hand throughout the day and were active in support of club instructors. Brenda Bruton and Marina Stoat were to the fore here, especially in ensuring that first time sailors and their parents had an enjoyable first ‘taste of sailing’.

A satisfied John Stoat, Cove SC’s junior officer, summed the day up, in the following terms – "we had lot of nervous sailors and a good breeze, but they all managed very well. They had a lot of fun. We had a few capsizes today.  It was the first time many of them capsized, so our first lesson today was the capsize.  They all capsized and got back in again, three or four times each. Once they get over the fear of it – it’s all sailing after that.  Happy days and great fun".

As Amy and Richard Brett’s dad states "It’s Cove Sailing Club.  It’s about sailing and about getting boats on the water". 

9th May 2011

Results - Friday Night League Results now available - click for details

KYC Sovereigns Cup 2011 - 22nd/25th June

Kinsale Yacht Club's flagship event, The Sovereign's Cup draws ever closer and this year classes will consist of  0,1,2,3, a Quarter Ton Class and a White Sail fleet. The courses are being worked on presently to ensure good racing with a nice variety of courses to ensure the best sailing. Please note there is a discounted entry fee for the first 100 boats that enter.

Additionally, the social programme is promised to be highly entertaining with lots of emphasis on people enjoying the event both on and off the water. More details can be found on the Sovereign's Cup 2011 Website (click logo opposite).

6th May 2011

Cobh Traditional Sail Regatta 2011

The inaugural Cobh Traditional Sail Regatta will be held from 24th-26th June on the waters adjacent to the amphitheatre of the town of Cobh. Berthage will be provided at The Quays pontoon (approx. 70 meters), where a warm welcome will be extended, complemented by the comprehensive programme of events.

A Parade of Sail will attract prizes for an unusual variety of categories (for those who never get a prize). The Cobh Traditional Sail Regatta is an opportunity to enjoy both sea and shore activities with welcome barbeques, traditional music, fancy dress and an eventful prize giving ceremony.

 

Please see cobhtradsail.ie (or click on above photo) for further details and entry form.

3rd May 2011

Results Now Updated.

Cove's Friday Night League got underway with the Titanic Trophy Race. There was plenty of wind as the boats made their way to the start at number 9 but the five minute gun seemed to scare away the breeze causing some of the boats to encounter major difficulties getting across the start line. Woody and Chanteuse managed to get away however followed by Re Eile and Gaelic Kiwi. With the wind almost completely disappearing, eventually Re Eile took line honours wining both IRC and ECHO divisions and taking home the Titanic Trophy. In Whites, Chanteuse finished first with Serendipity in second. Thanks to Bedlam for OD'ing.

The Friday Night League continues until end of August and we look forward to welcoming back more boats next week.

Junior sailing starts Saturday 7th May, please check your emails for Saturday session times.

Click here for more news.....