Weather failed to put a damper on At Home
It was misty, it was foggy, it cleared and then the heavy showers came. None of this was enough to dampen the enthusiasm of the sailors and the large gathering of members and families for the second day of the At Home. 
The cruisers, as on Saturday, were sent from the resplendent Flica, anchored off Whitebay, on courses which brought them outside the harbour and rounding the new O’Flynn Exham marks. There was a good south westerly breeze of approximately 15 knots. The dinghies again raced inside the harbour. The Motor Boat and RIB Treasure Hunt was a great success and was won by John Roche with Gabrielle Morehead second and Jim McGinley third.
The sailors are always kitted out for weather good or bad, but for a while there was concern for the shore based activities. However, good luck was on the side of the deserving organisers and the weather was such that the main programme took place. Shelter was found for the Butter Exchange Band aka The Buttera who entertained the crowd with a great foot tapping and swinging selection of music that was much appreciated. Meanwhile, crews and visitors were being catered for by the Lady Admiral, Fiona MacCarthy, and her willing helpers, who served the wonderful selection of food traditionally supplied by the ladies of the club.
On cue the cloud lifted to allow the entertainment on the lawn to take place and the cries of take the strain resounded as the tug-O-war teams battled it out. The egg and spoon races took place, the crab competition went ahead and there was a bouncing castle for those energetic enough to climb up and down on it. The One Metre Class put on a superb display with a greatly increased fleet from last year and the current and past Admirals raced in this class acting as jockeys. There was also a display of man overboard by the RNLI Croshaven Branch.
The usual last piece of entertainment and the height of the afternoon was the Boules match for the Admirals during which one small dog thought it his duty to chase the boule. However, in spite of this intervention the contest was won by former Admiral Ted Crosbie.
The event closed with the prizegiving performed by John Neville of Neville Jewellers who has generously sponsored this event for the last several years.
And so it was time to head away after another Royal Cork At Home. It is a truly happy club family event, and an occasion where one meets friends and acquaintances one might not have seen since the previous year and an opportunity to catch up on all the news. Friendly faces are everywhere and to this scribe anyway it is the epitome of all that is good about club life.
Full racing results for all classes are on the website.
Photos from the event can be seen on the Bateman Gallery
The crab fishing competition was won by Kate Neville followed by Billy Neville with Robert Keal third.
Girls Egg and Spoon Race under 10
Sarah Cudmore
Zoe Fitzpatrick
Susie Fitzpatrick
Boys Egg and Spoon Race under 10
Tom Keal
David McCarthy
David Jones
Boys Egg and Spoon Race over 10 – 2 heats
Dermot Lyden and Richard Roberts
Tug-0- War
Zoe Fitzpatrick
Graham Smith
Criona Guilfoyle
Rory Martin
Susie Fitzpatrick
Rebecca O’Shaughnessy
Claire O’Sullivan
Charlie Breen
Jamie Tingle
Harry Duff
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