ICRA Nationals Looking Good!
The ICRA Nationals planned for the Royal Cork Yacht Club from 17th to 19th June already has entries from New Zealand, England, Wales, Dublin, Waterford, Kinsale, Crosshaven, Glandore, Schull and the West Coast and promises to be a true National Championship with top boats attending from all regions.
An exciting addition to the 2011 Nationals is the visit of up to 12 top boats from the UK Quarter Ton fleet. This is a class based in Cowes, consisting of 1970-1980s old IOR rule boats lovingly restored to within an inch of their lives and sailed by their owners many of whom are as vintage as their boats – la creme de la creme! They have begun to make an annual pilgrimage to southern Irish waters in recent years attracted by the quality of Cork Week and Sovereign’s Cup and ICRA are delighted to welcome them to the Irish Nationals.
Unbelievably one of these old quarter tonners, the beautiful Davidson designed Black Fun, is presently on a container ship on her way from Wellington New Zealand to these shores to take her chances against the local opposition. Black Fun is one of the early entries to the ICRA nationals.
These visiting boats will provide stiff competition to local boats such as Neil Kennefick and Joxer O Brien’s Tiger, Eamon Rohan’s new Farr designed Anchor Challenge, Jimmy Nyhan’s Outrigger and Ian Traver’s Bandit.
ICRA has responded to this development by providing new Open Quarter Ton Trophies to cater for this fleet and its professional participation. The visitors will race in division 3 for the new trophies alongside the regular fleet sailing under standard ICRA regulations.
Division Zero is shaping up very well with entries from such leading boats as Anthony O Leary’s Antix and Robert Davies Roxy VI of Rolex Commodores’ Cup winning fame as well as the beautiful Mills 36 Crazy Horse, of Nobby Reilly and Alan Chambers, Conor Phelan’s Royal Cork Ker 37 Jump and the still potent Corby 39 Gloves Off, Kieran Twomey.
Division 1 will see loyal supporters like the Mills 30, Raptor and the Corby 33 Rockabill do battle with local boats such as Jelly Baby and True Pennance.
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