Vehicle History Check expert Cartell.ie were delighted to sponsor Stratisfear Cartell and its 10-man-crew for the Sovereign’s Cup. 2015 marks the 20^th anniversary of the inaugural Sovereign’s Cup in Kinsale. Kinsale is located at the start of the much acclaimed Wild Atlantic Way. According to the event website: “Sovereign’s Cup was the brainchild of Denis Kiely in the early 1990s. At the time the thought was that a regatta in the off year to Cork Week would make for a good event. Research was conducted and it was discovered that the ‘Sovereign of Kinsale’ used to put up a trophy for a sailing race in the late 1700s or early 1800s. It was felt appropriate that the proposed event would be named Sovereigns’s Cup.”

Cartell received this latest message from the Skipper of Stratisfear Cartell:

Sunday, 12th July:

Our prayers were answered with the wind gods as the volume was turned down to a very acceptable 15 knots of breeze. This meant things got a bit more tactical on the water as opposed to just surviving the gales on the previous day.

Stratisfear Cartell finally came out on top in race one with an outright win – a “bullet” as we call it so it was high fives all round!

Race two was a tricky one with very flukey winds and another fifth place posted. Ashore the après kicked in again and we were all delighted to meet Cartell’s charming MD Nicola Aherne who kindly provided the crew with several rounds of motivation juice!

Sunday is the last day of the regatta with just one race before Straisfear Cartell returns to Holyhead.

On behalf of all the crew our thanks for the support of Cartell.ie during our sailing campaign in Ireland. It has been  a real pleasure promoting the good name of Cartell.ie and wish Cartell.ie continued success for the future.”

Saturday, 11th July:

Please can someone in the heavens turn the fan off! Talk about a windy days racing in Dublin bay, two yachts dismasted, four sailors overboard – it was brutal out there!

Aboard Stratisfear Cartell we survived the day posting a fifth and fourth in the two races.

We witnessed  some drama with one of our rivals the xp42 Rockstar who decided to send their bowman up the mast in the Force 8 gale .50 feet up the mast in the heavy seas he lost his grip and was flung about the rigging like a rag doll, a terrifying sight , we thought he was going to be knocked unconscious but he was hastily lowered back on deck shaken but not stirred.

Once again the Stratifear Cartell crew repaired to the Famous Royal Irish Yacht club to reflect on a hard day’s racing with more of the black stuff. We all turned in feeling like a million dollars , but it is a different sight this morning as I look at a bedraggled crew across the breakfast table. Looks like another windy one today.”

Friday, 10th July:

Our first race in Dublin Bay was quite a tough one with winds gusting 25 knots giving challenging conditions. Stratisfear Cartell had a good start and was lying third but slipped to fifth after some self imposed errors with the spinnaker sail. However the sun shone and the seas sparkled, a great day to be on the water competing in the largest sailing event outside of Cowes Week.

Ashore the après sailing scene is complemented by the excellent hospitality of Dun Laoghaire’s historic yacht clubs which the Stratisfear Cartell crew will be taking full advantage of as they “re hydrate” from the days racing”

Here are the skipper’s earlier messages:

Sunday, 28th June:

Have I been dreaming or have we spent the last week in a place where the winds blow true and fair , the sea sparkles , every pub beckons you to sample more black liquid and every restaurant has the finest cuisine?

We came, we raced, we may not have conquered but we certainly had a blast flying the Cartell Flag

To sail in a beautiful location with a thousand like minded sailors , to harness the wind for our power , to leave no trace in the ocean other than a bubbling fading wake … We look forwards to the next adventure with Stratisfear Cartell at the Volvo Dun Laoghaire regatta commencing on the 8th of July where a fleet of 500 yachts are entered

Saturday, 27th June:

A full on days racing for the Stratisfear Cartell team today with the sun shining and a brisk 25 k  breeze blowing from Kinsale head

We knew we had to pull all the stops out today to do our Cartell Sponsors proud so we sailed the yacht  like you would drive a hot hatch hire car with a clean bill of health from Cartell

In the final stages of the first race whilst in a solid third  place we lost a crew member ( Mark ” Washi ” Pritchard ) over the side , this meant all hands to “Man Overboard” stations whilst we recovered our rather cold and soaked crew member aboard

A little shaken but not stirred we completed race one with all crew members intact but a sober reminder to all that it is always a good idea to wear a life jacket . The lifeboat crews  have a saying for life jackets – ” useless unless worn ”

and thankfully all the Stratisfear Cartell crew place safety high on the list and all wore life jackets for the day’s racing avoiding any serious drama for those taking an early bath

It was a blowy day with many of our competitors falling by the wayside with broken gear and wipe outs but the old saying “when the going gets tough the tough get going ” shone through with Stratisfear Cartell to finish the day on a high with a Second in the final race

Currently the crew are once again enjoying the great craic Kinsale has to offer and all are agreed that this is one of the best sailing venues on the planet

Tomorrow is the final days racing and it’s still all to play for to get a podium finish

If we can just keep  all of the crew on board the yacht we are in with a chance !

Friday, 26th June:

Day three from the Stratisfear Cartell Kinsale posse – currently lying in fifth place hoping to make some gains today -Friday.

The competition is top class with mainly local sailors taking the podium each day. Today is looking promising with the sun shining and sparkling conditions ahead. Most of the crew took an early night so we have no excuses today!

Thursday, 25th June:

Sailing can be a bit like Formula one at times – the Stratisfear Cartell team began to find the pace at yesterday’s racing in Kinsale’s Sovereign’s Cup posting a sixth and second in two races. However after a minor rule infringement they were penalised in race two whilst lying in second place with a disqualification.

A disappointing start after showing such promising form, the crew of Stratisfear Cartell cheered themselves up in several of Kinsale’s fine pubs

Today promises stronger winds to blow away a few of the crews cobwebs!”

Tuesday, 23rd June:

After a quick pit stop in Crosshaven Stratisfear Cartell repositioned to the beautiful harbour of  Kinsale where the racing fleet of 110 racing yachts have assembled for the Sovereigns Cup Regatta.

Racing starts tomorrow at 1200 hrs and the ten man crew aboard Stratisfear Cartell are primed and ready to do battle on the ocean.

Conditions are forecast to be perfect.

Thanks to the support from our sponsors Cartell, the crew are fully prepared and ready to give it our best shot and put the Cartell name on the podium

We wish Stratisfear Cartell fair winds and good racing”.