Conneely completes a clean sweep at Cowes

EAMMON CONNEELY has completed a clean sweep of all the major trophies at Skandia Cowes Week after adding the New York Yacht Club Challenge Trophy to his haul.

Conneely, aboard the TP52 ‘Patches’, had already won the Queens Cup, the Britannia Trophy and the Royal Yacht Squadron Cup. Patches has now won all her races but one in IRC Class Zero.

While there are the usual accusations of a soft handicap for the new boat, to be expected when a new design cleans up in such authoritative fashion, it has been perfectly sailed in every race.

Irish boats still hold their immaculate record at the head of all three premier IRC Classes as ‘Tiamat’, Tim Costello’s Mills 41, won their first race of the series to extend their overall lead. In Class 2, Colm Barrington’s Ker 39 ‘Flying Glove’ also won again to mirror ‘Patches’ record of only losing one race this week. With Eddie Owen providing the tactical input and Dublin owner Barrington steering, UK IRC Champion ‘Velvet Glove’ has also been virtually untouchable.

The showcase pro-celebrity Open 60 race around the Isle of Wight came to little. The course was changed, racing to round a boat in Poole Bay. Even then some boats rounded a buoy.

‘Hugo Boss’, with David Coulthard onboard and double Olympic medallist Ben Ainslie steering, rounded where they thought the mark should be and were disqualified, as was Emma Richards’ ‘Pindar’.

Conrad Humphreys’ ‘Hellomoto’ won the race.