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Thanks to the kind and generous support of Matthews Centre, Kinsale Yacht Club hosted another tremendously successful April League this year, running from Sunday, April 1st to Saturday, April 28th 2007 inclusive. A total of 58 entries were received and competitors enjoyed a challenging, rewarding and enjoyable series, led by OOD’s Alan Crosbie and Donal Hayes.

To complete the series, races 4 & 5 took place on Saturday, April 28th 2007, following the cancellation the previous Sunday, due to fog. Conditions were extremely pleasant, with a moderate to fresh E/NE breeze of 16-18 knts, gusting at times to 20knts. Starting at the Centrepoint area, courses for both races were built around Sovereign’s, Bulman and Sandycove, finishing at Sovereign’s for race 1 and Charles Fort for race 2.

In Class 1 IRC, Conor and Denise Phelan’s Jump Juice led the fleet with remarkable consistency throughout the series to score 1st place overall. Eamonn Rohan’s Blondie III finished 2nd and Anthony O’ Leary’s Antix Dubh finished 3rd. In Class 1 IRC Restricted, David Scott’s Eos maintained his lead to finish 1st overall, with Tom Roche’s Isobar in 2nd and Tomas & Kieran Whelan’s Chaos in 3rd.

The win in Class 1 ECHO was swooped by Isobar, with Chaos falling into 2nd by one point and Kieran Twomey & Jim O’ Mahony’s Gloves Off gave finishing in 3rd. Tight racing was enjoyed in Class 2, particularly in IRC between the McCarthy Bros on Mac Magic II and Clem & Wendy McElligott on Sea Hawk, with the latter finishing in IRC 2nd on a 1 point difference. Mac Magic II graciously took overall victories in both ECHO and IRC. In 3rd place in IRC was Barry Rose on Obsession VI, who, as always, gave the class a run for their money. In Class 2 ECHO, Mac Magic II finished in 1st, ahead of Vinny O’ Shea on Yanks $ Ffrancs in 2nd and John McCarthy’s Madness in 3rd. Tough competition was seen in Class 3, with Ian Travers’ Bandit seizing 1st overall in both IRC and ECHO, but not without being put to the test by both John Twomey’s Shillelagh and Jason & Dominic Losty’s Woody who finished in IRC overall in 2nd and 3rd respectively.

Moreover, Bandit was feverishly pursued in ECHO by Woody and Mike Sexton’s Granny Knot who finished overall in 2nd and 3rd respectively. The ever expanding and increasingly popular White Sail Class enjoyed superb racing. Of the 11 entries, Steven McCarthy’s Nadie finished 1st overall following a great performance throughout the regatta. Nadie was pursued by Tony Scannell’s Hansemer in 2nd and Dave O’ Sullivan’s Cimarron VI in 3rd.

Saturday 28th April last was party night for some 165 members & guests at the Clubhouse. The April League Prizegiving Dinner took the Cruiser Class Captian’s new buffet format, which proved to be a sensation. Prizegiving was followed by a wild night of music and dancing with Dave & Pat of the Frets. Trophies were filled and competitors swilled until the early hours. Rumour has it that a number of boat parties thereafter stretched into daybreak and beyond.... April 22nd 2007

Race 4 of the Matthews Centre April League 2007 was scheduled to take place on Sunday last, the 22nd April 2007 but was cancelled due to fog. Race 4 and 5 are now scheduled to take place on Saturday the 28th April 2007 in order to complete the event with the full compliment of 5 races, allowing competitors use their discards. Meanwhile, Sovereign's Cup 2007 entries are arriving thick and fast for what is undoubtedly lining up to be the premier Irish event of the year. Competitors are reminded that the closing date for entries has been extended to the 22nd June, subject to entry/berthing limitations; so get your entries in today, click http://www.kyc.ie/sovs2007/ for more information and news updates.