SAILING: It is not generally a bet recommended, and the mere mention of it is often considered the ultimate kiss of death. But Irish crews are having a run of luck this week "across the pond", and a hat-trick of sorts is on the cards this weekend.
First up was Tim Costelloe and his crew on the new Tiamat on its inaugural competitive outing in Scotland last weekend since being unwrapped just over a week ago.
The traditional season opener at Tarbert ended with beaming smiles as not only did the 40-footer from the Dun Laoghaire Motor Yacht Club win her class, but also took the overall Scottish Series title as well, neatly taking over the title from Anthony O'Leary's Antix in 2004.
Tiamat, helmed by Noel Butler in the eight-race series, carded three firsts and was never worse than fourth to gain a six-point margin over three-time champion Jonathan Anderson's Clyde-based First 47.7 Playing FTSE, which tied on points with the Hamble-based Farr 45 Wolf, owned and steered by Cowes and Cork week winning Glyn Williams.
The result fell into the category of wildest expectations for the proud skipper, who moved from racing a Mumm 36-footer to this state-of-the-art club racer designed by Wicklow-based Mark Mills, who is accumulating a large stable of winning designs.
Tiamat's crew was Noel Butler (helm), Gearóid O'Sullivan (mid bow), Gareth Hanley (mast), Tim Costello (navigator), Tim Esson (grinder), Neil Harrison (pit), Kevin George (mainsheet), Nick Heuchin (trim upwind), Simon Morris (bow), and Dave Quinn (trim downwind).
Trucked to Scotland to be in time for the event, a quick turn-around means Tiamat will be back in action at the opposite end of the country for the British IRC National Championship which begin today on The Solent.
Cowes was the venue for the latest Irish boat launch yesterday when Eamonn Conneelly's TP52 Patches was formally named by his daughter, Sinead, marking the start of a lifelong dream for the Galway businessman.
With a crew mixing two of Britain's top Olympic medallists and key sailors from the now defunct Team GBR America's Cup campaign, plus regular sailors from the owner's previous boats, the Galway Sailing Club yacht will shortly take its place on the world stage against the best professional crews in the newly formed circuit for this "grand prix" class.
Patches sails in the big boat class in this weekend's event carrying the highest IRC handicap rating, and faces a stiff challenge from the Kerr 55-footer Aera.
Meanwhile, other Irish crews appear to have taken Cowes by storm. No fewer than seven boats will be competing, including four Cork boats that includes O'Leary's Antix.
Costelloe's Tiamat in winning form will provide an interesting comparison to Colm Barrington's Flying Glove, the Kerr 40-footer which spear-headed Irish efforts in Cowes last summer then almost resulted in an Irish Commodore's Cup victory.
The strong fleet at Cowes will provide impetus to next Tuesday evening's meeting of the Irish Cruiser Racing Association at the Green Isle Hotel to consider plans for not just next year's Rolex Commodore's Cup but future events too with a more strategic approach than previous years.
