Skip to content
You are here: Home Archived Race Reports 2006 Race Reports Fortis IRC Championship Report Day 3
Fortis IRC Championship Report Day 3

Winners are Grinners

Winner: RORC IRC Championship Trophy
TIAMAT - Tim Costello - Mills 40

2nd Overall: Jackdaw Trophy
MARINERSCOVE.IE - David Dwyer - Mills 39

Sunday 11 June: First of all a big ‘Thank You' to Fortis for sponsoring the RORC IRC Championship as their support cannot be underestimated.  Alex McBarnet of Fortis Intertrust said: "MeesPierson has been renamed Fortis as part of the one brand strategy of the group. We are delighted to be sponsoring the IRC Championship again and believe it to be a perfect way of developing the Fortis name. Over the last four years we have been very impressed with the ever increasing level of competition in the IRC Championship and feel that this, along with the outstanding professionalism of RORC, makes for a perfect fit with Fortis. The last day of the Fortis IRC Championship and once again we were blessed with brilliant sunshine but the breeze had changed to 12-15 knots from the south west. There was plenty of tension throughout the fleet as by the end of the day the overall results would be decided and several classes were very much in the balance. IRC SZ Ger O'Rourke's Cookson 50 Chieftain was the runaway winner but surprised many by also winning in light airs which should not have suited the yachts design compared to the other competitors. Ger O'Rourke commented after racing: "I have really enjoyed the event and having the opportunity to show what Chieftain can do. Most of the crew come from West of Ireland but we were very happy to have some local talent on board. It's just a pity that we will not be racing in the Rolex Commodores' Cup but I understand the reasons for that. We have grand plans for the season and will be heading off to race aroundIrelandshortly. When I started the campaign I was planning on doing a lot of offshore sailing but after this I will definitely be racing round the cans again." 2nd was Panthera owned by Benny Kelly and 3rd in class Kit Hobday's Bear of Britain.

IRC 0
Tim Costello had a big grin on his face and rightly so. Discarding a 2nd in race 5, the team had a clean sweep of first places and not only won their class but the coveted RORC IRC Championship Trophy winning overall. The Mills 40 was one of the smallest boats in its class and event Louay Habib asked Tim Costello how they managed to achieve such a perfect score line, particularly in heavy air against larger boats: "We seem to get off the line very well throughout the regatta and I was proud of the crew work, particularly on the corners. Having Mike Richards on board was a big help as he knows the boat and theSolentvery well. Nearly all of the crew come from Crosshaven and I am sure that a few glasses will be raised in the Royal Cork tonight!"
Fair Do'S VII owned by John Shepherd was 2nd in class, beating Colm Barrington's Magic Glove into 3rd place. IRC 1More good news for Mark Mills as his 39 foot design Marinerscove.ie owned by David Dwyer won a tense battle for the class. The result went right to the wire and after all eight races, they were level on points with Eamonn Rohan's elegant Corby 37 Blondie. However, Marinerscove.ie had more 1st place results meaning victory and the Jackdaw Trophy for 2nd place overall. It was real heartache for Blondie's owner Eamonn Rohan as he was 2nd in class last year.

In 3rd place was Conor and Denise Phelan's Jump Juice.

IRC 2Stephen and Benedict James' Swan 48 Jacobite won their class - Jacobite was built in 1973 and whilst elegant on the eye, she is hard on the crew. They intend to compete in this year's Rolex Swan Worlds and stand a very good chance in Porto Cervo. Anthony O'Leary's Corby 35 Antix finished in 2nd place whilst Ker 32 Checkmate owned by Mike MacCarthy was 3rd. IRC 3Jackie Welch and Robert Dobson, with their Elan 333 Elusive had a close tussle with Michael Tattersall's X-99 Electra. Going into the last race Elusive was ahead but by only 2 points. Electra managed to beat Elusive in the last race but not by enough. In 3rd place was Roger Swinney's Bolero Ayanami. The Elan 33 Elusive had their first taste of RORC racing this year and it should be seen as a stunning performance to come to the Fortis IRC Championship and win their class at the first attempt and they were a hairs breadth from coming 2nd overall in all classes.

The overall standard of sailing was first class at the Fortis IRC Championship and it was exciting to see so many large high-tech yachts competing in theSolent. Also there were 26 designs from different architects or manufacturers out on the race course which shows IRC to be an effective rule for a wide range of boats.

A special thanks to the RORC Race Committee, many of whom are volunteers. Without their time and effort it would not be possible for the event to take place.

After racing, a final prizegiving was held in Cowes Yacht Haven where along with the day's race winners, Tiamat was awarded the RORC IRC Championship Trophy and Marinerscove.ie the Jackdaw Trophy for 2nd overall.
 

Search

RORC Photos

RORC Photo Gallery

RORC Videos

RORC Video Channel

RORC on Facebook

The RORC on FacebookMore than 3,000 people like the
RORC Facebook Page.

Upcoming Events

May
June
  • 50th Deauville Race/Cervantes Trophy Race
    June 01, 2012 (14:30)
    (RORC Races)
    Please note that this event listing is for information only. To enter the race please use the...
  • RORC Social Evening
    June 07, 2012 (18:00)
    (Social Evenings)

    As always, please feel free to come along to the RORC Clubhouse for informal drinks from 1800....

  • 50th Deauville/Cervantes Tropy Race Debrief
    June 11, 2012 (19:00)
    (Race Debriefs)

    Free for members, £10 for non members

    A 2 course buffet dinner will be available at £15 per...

  • IRC National Championship
    June 15, 2012 (10:00)
    (RORC Races)
    Please note that this event listing is for information only. To enter this regatta please use the...
View full calendar