KINSALE Yacht Club is gearing up for a predicted two fold increase in entries for the Cork Dry Gin Sovereigns Cup Regatta to be held over the last weekend in June, The notice of race was formally released in Dublin yesterday.
The inaugural regatta attracted a healthy entry of 50 boats across three keelboat divisions racing under Chennel Handicap System (CHS) and Echo the overall Sovereigns Cup will again go to the best performing yacht, in the committee's opinion under CHS. This year, Kinsale YC is aiming to double the entry and, depending on interest from the bigger boats, introduce a Class zero.
Although the inclusion of the 1720 sportsboat national championship may draw away from potential class zero entrants, this will certainly boost overall numbers by adding another 30 boats to the fleet.
Following the current trend towards mixed course racing, a mixture of courses will be used "with an emphasis firmly on laid and `round the cans' ... we also intend to organise two races per day on as many days as possible," said Den is Kiely race director.
Positive reaction to the first event in 1995 has led the organisers to promote the five day event heavily at boat shows and through the CHS magazine. Although formal entries should now follow yesterday's announcement, interest has already been expressed from Welsh and English boats.
In spite of appearances the organisers are keen to stress that the Sovereigns Cup is not intended to compete with the massive Ford Cork Week held at Crosshaven in alternate years. "We never see this becoming another Cork week," said John Twomey, vice commodore of the club.
"We have all the town's facilities to offer after racing and Kinsale has a lot for families that travel as well. We're not out to become a 450 boat event," he said, and likened the Sovereigns Cup to the Scottish series, with the emphasis firmly on racing.
Kinsale's realism about event five is certainly borne out by the fixtures list, particularly for east coast crews. There is now a choice between Kinsale, Bangor and Dublin regattas as well as the popular Clara Candy Dun Laoghaire to Dingle race that brings an exodus of boats toward the south coast in time for the west Cork cruising and local regatta season.
"The calendar has expanded so much that sailors have to weigh up their options carefully before finalising their plans," said Paddy Boyd, secretary general of the Irish Sailing Association. "I don't think we're at the serious stage in clashes, but it is something that we'll have to watch closely in the future to ensure that smaller clubs, in particular, and less glamorous events are not disadvantaged.
Meanwhile, the ISA is preparing for a winter season event of its own next weekend at Howth YC. The association's second cruising seminar should prove to be of interest to most keelboat sailors, when cruising, racing or both, as this year's theme is tradition to technology.
Speakers include Tim Magennis on old boat restoration; Hal Sisk on technology and classic boats; Bill Sandford of the Royal Institute of Navigation on New Technology; Mike Vlasto of the RNLI on the proposed marine safety data base; and Des McWilliam on sailmaking technology.
The Minister of State at the Department of the Marine Eamon Gilmore, will again be speaking and is expected to discuss the marine infrastructure programme.
Organisers are also hoping for news of the overdue report from the Marine Institute following their extensive research seminars last year.
