As Autumn storms herald the end of the main Sailing season, twin annual showdowns between various strands of the sport in Ireland are set to take place in Dun Laoghaire and Lough Ree over the next two weekends.

Fully two years before the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Sailing Regatta, the qualification stakes open in Aarhus, Denmark today with the first round of racing, as more than 1,200 entries take to the water over the coming 10 days.

A full programme of races started the biennial Volvo Cork Week yesterday as strong winds gave way to moderate offshore breezes for the 100-boat fleet competing around the harbour.

A force 4-5 moderate to fresh northerly breeze heralded the start of the 2012 ASM Marine KYC Frostbite Series at Kinsale Harbour last Sunday.

FIFTY-THREE boats raced from the Royal Cork at Crosshaven in the inaugural Irish Examiner Round The Island race and the silver salver for the winner went to Sally O'Leary, who helmed Ford Racing.