Martin Byrne is the Man to beat in Ireland………

Martin Byrne, pictured here with his winning team Pedro Andrade and Adam Winklemann, added the Irish National Title to his Edinburgh Cup (GBR National Title), sailing in Kinsale the host town of the 2012 Gold Cup.

Although Martin IRL 201 (14pts) & his team were pushed all the way by Dublin’er Jay Bourke ANT 10 (16pts) and local favourite Cameron Good IRL 211 (18pts), it will take a brave man to bet against this experienced team in next years Irish Festival of International Dragon races….  Next year 2012, the Edinburgh Cup is in Belfast, the Irish Nationals are in Dublin Bay followed by the Gold Cup in Kinsale, why would you not just put a line through your Dragon Diary and write IRELAND…..  simples…….   When you justify Ireland to your loved one’s, just add :  Guinness, Friendly People, Guinness, Amazing Seafood Restaurants, Guinness, Relaxed-way-of-Life, Guinness….. You get the picture…. 🙂

Not only does the Kinsale Yacht Club have excellent on-shore and off-shore facilities, but it has one of the finest PRO’s in the World..   Alan Crosbie may chose to live a more quiet and private way of life these days, but from the moment he steps onto the Committee Boat and takes charge of his amazing team of helpers, everyone knows that they are in for a great day of racing…  Want to be a part of all this ?? Then 2012 Ireland it is ……

In closing, Martin Byrne deserved his 3rd Irish Title, but he was pushed hard by the runners-up Jay Bourke, Norman McDonald and Daniel Murphy, also by Cameron Good, Simon Furney and Class Captain Henry Kingston who took 3rd place on the podium.. Special mention must also go to Don O’Donoghue IRL 204 who had two race wins in this very competitive fleet. The racing was close, the level was high, the fun was second to none…….

Higher, Faster, Longer…………..   Stavros (IRL 207)