Top Antix

Anthony O'Leary wins Sovereign's Cup at Kinsale Yacht Club, Patches breezes IRC0

Anthony O’Leary’s Corby 35 Antix has won the Sovereign’s Cup at Kinsale Yacht Club, and Paddy Gregory’s Elan 31 Benola the Portcullis Trophy. Eamon Conneely’s Transpac 52 Patches was the winner in Division 0 IRC, gaining National Champion title for that Division and the Saab Trophy for IRC.

Antix was the yacht deemed by the organising committee to have put in the best overall performance under IRC across the four fleets. She and Eamon Crosbie’s Voodoo Chile had quite a duelling match in Division 1, with Antix emerging as National Champion. Benola finished first overall in both IRC and Echo in Division 2, winning double National Championship titles. Neil White’s Sigma 400 Barafundle of Mumbles was the Division 1 winner and Champion.

Patches provided the wow factor for the event, arriving in Kinsale straight after her win in the Dun Laoghaire to Dingle race. Her ace crew included Olympic medallists Shirley Robertson and Ian Walker. On the water, she took off from the start line and left an impressive line-up in Class 0 in her wake. Colm Barrington’s Ker 39 Flying Glove and the Simon Coveney / Paul Hyde partnership in the Dubois 37 Dark Angel helmed by Olympian Mark Mansfield provided her main competition, eventually finishing second and third respectively. Dark Angel won the National Championship title and Saab Trophy in Echo.

Fred Fisher’s Impala 28 Inca won Division 3 IRC and National Champion title. Local GK 24 Saoirse, owned by Richard Hanley and Trevor Draper, was the winner and Champion in Echo.

Prettiest yacht in the entire fleet was Ian Kirkwood’s Gentleman’s Gaff Yawl Wayward. She raced in White Sail 2, which was won by James O’Brien’s Trapper 28 Zyst. White Sail 1 was won by Charlie Ryan’s Jeanneau Sun Magic 44 Larcia.

With winds were light to moderate during the four days of the event, the fleet had some exciting, close racing. Only Race 6 on Friday afternoon had to be cancelled because of the wind dying off.

After a farewell barbeque on Sunday, Kinsale Yacht Club personnel were back in action Monday morning to prepare for the Dragon National Championships which they will host from next Thursday to Sunday, June 30 to July 3.