Tommy Dwyer’s Rankin dinghy emerged as the overall winner of Cove Sailing Club‘s Ballinacurra Cup on Saturday, leading a fleet of 25 boats in one of Cork Harbour‘s most distinctive handicap races.
The annual “All-In” contest sent competitors from Cobh to Ballinacurra at the north-eastern corner of the harbour, racing for one of Ireland’s oldest dinghy handicap trophies.
Harbour Charge — A mixed fleet heads east from Cove Sailing Club at the start of the Ballinacurra Cup, one of Ireland’s oldest all-class dinghy handicap races. Photo: Robert Bateman
Sailed in warm summer conditions under Race Officer Ian Scandrett, the single-race event attracted a diverse fleet ranging from National 18s and Rankins to RS Fevas, Fireballs, Lasers and RS400s.
On corrected time, Dwyer’s Rankin (R29), crewed by Harry Coole, (pictured top) took victory in 56 minutes and 22 seconds. Just 15 seconds behind was David Kenefick’s National 18 (406), with Ricky Harrington aboard, while another Rankin, sailed by Robin Barry and Colin Barry, completed the podium only six seconds further back.
Fleet Focus — National 18 helm David Kenefick, runner-up overall, in action during the Ballinacurra Cup. Photo: Robert Bateman
The close margins at the front underlined the effectiveness of the Ballinacurra Cup’s long-established all-class handicap format.
National 18s featured prominently throughout the results, filling three of the top five places, while Rankins occupied six of the top ten positions in a fleet that showcased the breadth of Cork Harbour dinghy racing.
As in previous years, the race combined competitive sailing with tradition. The destination remains Ballinacurra village, once a busy harbour for sailing ships trading deep into East Cork and now home to the event’s post-race gathering and prizegiving.
The Ballinacurra Cup continues to hold a special place in the Cork sailing calendar, bringing together multiple dinghy classes in a format that rewards skill and local knowledge as much as outright speed.
Top Three Overall
- Tommy Dwyer (Rankin R29) – 56:22 corrected
- David Kennefick (National 18 406) – 56:37 corrected
- Robin Barry (Rankin R9) – 56:43 corrected
