Cobh People’s Regatta – roundup

Cobh People’s Regatta always prompts mixed feelings. On the one hand a great weekend with the Friday Night league, Saturday dinghy racing and Sunday cruiser racing guarantees plenty of activity both on and off the water. On the other, by the time the last firework has died out on sunday night you know summer’s over and it won’t be long until another sailing season comes to an end.

This year seemed somehow different. Maybe because we’ve had no summer and really the sailing season feels like its only just got going. Whatever the reason, Cove Sailing Club were out in force to make the best of what was on offer which turned out to be a great weekend of dinghy and cruiser racing enjoyed by all.

Dominic Losty acted as race officer for the two day regatta. On the Saturday he set the dinghies a challenging series of courses for each of the classes – class 1, 2 and rankins. In class 2 Ewen O’Keefe was untouchable winning all of his 3 races. In class 1, Audrius and Cormac went head to head with Cormac winning out on the day. In the Rankin class, John Doyle and Dougie Black battled it out with John Doyle taking the honours, winning each of their 3 races.

slideshow of pics from the 2012 Cobh Peoples Regatta dinghy races:

[slideshow id=7]

 

On Sunday it was the turn of the cruisers. With a lively southerly wind, Losty together with Eugene Ryan and the crew of Soubrette anchored off Cuskinny and the fleet were sent off on a course made up of a couple of upwind/downwind legs out by the refinery followed by a reachy couple of legs along the Cobh Road to a finish off the Promenade. Thankfully the early rain died away and the 20 plus fleet enjoyed some close racing and at times, some fairly challenging, gusty conditions.

In class 1, Exhale got the better of Felix winning IRC although in ECHO the results reversed and Felix finished just ahead of Exhale on adjusted time. In class 2, Bad Company and Kodachi had a close race with bad Company winning in IRC and Kodachi winning in ECHO. No Gnomes finished third in  both divisions. In class 3 No Half Measures once again led the fleet around the course taking IRC well ahead of 2nd placed Jay and Whyte Knight in 3rd. In Echo, Jay came first with Fast Buck 2nd and Re Eile in third. In Whites, great to see Eddie English out enjoying himself and with Holy Grounder going really well in the heavier airs he finished well ahead of 2nd placed Lady T with Bright Wings in 3rd.

Prize-giving in Tradewinds was another lively affair the highlight of which was probably seeing a delighted Eddie English, who on winning the completely oversized whitesail trophy gave the audience a Usain “lightning” Bolt type celebration.

And as the fireworks burst over Cobh there was talk of the upcoming Blackrock race, the  September race schedule, and the October league over in RCYC. So all being well, the sailing season still has plenty to offer us.

We’d like to thank Eugene Ryan and the crew of Soubrette. Dominic Losty of OD’ing over the weekend. Tradewinds for hosting us and laying on the excellent food. All the RCYC boats who took part, the crews who came back for the prize-giving. And the Cobh People’s Regatta Committee for all their hardwork and commitment to the cause.