“Catapult’ sailing in Volvo Cork Week 2014. Photo Robert Bateman
Commencing with the RORC Easter Challenge, an annual event for O’Leary and his crew, this year will see a move from his beloved Ker 39 to the Ker 40 ‘Catapult’ and, with the permission of the American Owner Marc Glimcher, will campaign the boat as ‘ANTIX’ until the RORC Fastnet Race. This is exciting news for all the IRC racing followers as the boat is turbo charged and certainly will be a sight to behold off wind in a blow. Also on the sailing calendar she is one of the first entries in the Dun Laoghaire to Dingle race, which should be another interesting race to watch.Also from Royal Cork Yacht Club another early entry is Frank Doyle with his A35 ‘End Game’.
All of this sailing news about Anthony O’Leary should not come as a surprise knowing the O’Leary family record in sport. Even in our days of sailing back in the seventies in the hay day of the Cork Harbour J Class when the sailing crack was mighty and sport was sport, it is well remembered ‘Irish Mist’ the Carter 37 arriving back from Cowes and immediately setting sail in a Thursday evening League which was about to start as “The Mist” was coming in the harbour. There is always of course some wag to pass a remark and on that occasion one remarked “it could only be the O’Leary’s would do it”. Anthony also excelled on the rugby pitch and was a member of the Munster squad when they beat the All Blacks. In 2014, apart from all his sailing competition he found time to act as Director of Racing at Volvo Cork Week and even in the CH Marine October League he gave up his 1720 and acted as Race Officer for the 1720 fleet for the five week series.
From where we now stand 2015 looks like being an exciting sailing season. The RORC Fastnet Race having been booked out over its 340 boat limit 30 minutes after opening and the large waiting list must be an indicator of massive enthusiasm . Coming down the scale somewhat the Royal Cork will host the Cork Dinghyfest at which a large fleet will be gathering to compete in the revival of this most popular event. Hopefully 2015 will see large numbers at all the traditional leagues and dinghy events. The traditional Cock Of the North will be hosted by the club July 26th to 31st 2015 and it is hoped to see a large number of the new Morrison designed boats sailing. All of this just some of the events for 2015.
We must, however, not forget to mention all the young children coming into the club in large numbers for their first exciting taste of sailing with all the wonderful fun days at sea and ashore planned for them and which, without their realizing it, are actually providing their first instruction on the water.
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