Roses are a class act

SAILING/Weekly column: The resurgence of keelboat racing in Ireland continues ahead of the Irish Cruiser Racing Association conference (Kilkenny, November 29th). The conference seems certain to revamp the 2004 season and beyond.

Last weekend saw the conclusion to the CH Marine October League, on Cork Harbour, where there was a large turnout.

Barry and David Rose on Obsession V won in Class One on IRC handicap with three firsts and a discarded second to secure the win by five points over Anthony O'Leary on Antix. Conor Doyle's Freya, an X-44, placed third. With the handicap splits for the ICRA next year, these boats may find themselves racing in different classes. In Class Two, Tom Brennan's Corby 25 Respect narrowly defeated Paul O'Shea's Wicked.

In all, the interest in keelboat racing on the south coast has been building over the last two seasons and more new boats are expected next year following the establishment of the SCORA (South Coast Offshore Racing Association), regarded as a precursor to the ICRA. At present, two Beneteau 40.7 footers and three 36.7 footers are counted amongst the Class One fleet.

Having all the leading boats competing together will also lead to comprehensive trials for the Commodore's Cup and the possibility of a strong national squad is very real.

Meanwhile, last week Ireland's Cian McCarthy ended a creditable 23rd in a keelboat fleet of 69 solo sailors. Racing his 6.5-metre, The Tom Crean. The Cork sailor's entry is a rare Irish foray into ocean racing.

The Student Yachting World Cup concludes on the Cap d'Agde this afternoon with Trinity College Dublin Sailing Team relying on three final races to improve on their sixth place overall.

The crew led by Brian Reilly counted a first and fourth in the mixed weather conditions this week.

Having started out the week in second overall, the Irish team yesterday watched their British rivals move from 10th to joint first overnight and hopes of a top three result in the 14 nation fleet were dashed.