Preparations are intensifying and are well under way for the 2008 Rolex Commodore’s Cup. The Red Funnel Easter Challenge at Cowes from March 21st to 23rd will see the first outing of the members of the Irish Commodore’s Cup White Team entry. The three members of the team, all sailing Jason Ker designed boats, will take part in the Challenge. Anthony O’Leary is due to take over his new charter a Ker 39ft designed “Antix Eile” on April 1st and with six of his crew from Cork will sail aboard her in the big boat category during the Red Funnel Challenge prior to this date.
Both Conor and Denise Phelan’s 37 foot Ker “Jump Juice” and Eamon Crosbie’s Ker 32 foot “Voodoo Chile” have been modified over the winter and will fill the middle and small boat categories respectively. Both these boats are renowned for their successful campaigns.
The members of the Green team will all compete for the Commodores’ Cup on new Mills designed boats. However, for the Red Funnel Challenge there is only one definite participant from the Green team. Each team consists of three boats, a small boat, a middle boat and a big boat. Filling the small boat category for the Green Team is Andrew Allen’s 37ft “No Naked Flames”, currently deck cargo on a ship bound for the Solent having had quite a good series in Key West on her first outing, and hoping to make at least some of the races in Cowes. Eamon Rohans’s new King 40, “Blondie 1V” is in the water in the Solent. Her mast has been stepped and the boat has been measured for her IRC certificate and she is ready to compete. However, Tim Costello’s new Mills 43 “Tiamat” is still in build and is likely to make her first appearance in the April League in Kinsale along with other members of the team.
During the Easter Challenge the RYA Team GBR will have their two nominated teams competing and are hoping to select a further two teams from this and subsequent events. The Red Funnel Challenge will give the Irish teams their first indication of how their boats will perform against the competition provided by the British Teams.
The Commodore’s Cup is unique in the UK in having a true mix of inshore and offshore races and all teams are relishing the opportunity of participating in what is looking like will be the best ever attended Commodores’ Cup. With the changes in the scoring system and note having been taken of competitors comments, the revamping of the event has led to worldwide interest and already teams from Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Russia have entered swelling a host of European teams.
