NYC members Ann Kirwan and Brendan Briscoe raced their Schull-based Ruffian Orca II in Calves Week 2026, their 6th consecutive year to compete in the event.
Orca II was entered in the 10-boat White Sails 2 (WS2) Echo fleet with NYC Commodore Rosemary Cadogan signed up for all 4 days. They were joined by NYC’s Robin Hilliard and Nika from the Ukraine for the Fastnet race on day 2. Mike and Deirdre Buttanshaw and Ann’s niece Sophie were invaluable crew on the other days.
The 80 boats racing over 6 classes were greeted with champagne sailing conditions throughout the 4 days, enjoying warm sunshine and plenty of wind for the first 3 days, especially on Wednesday for the Fastnet race.
With all classes sailing the same course for the Fastnet race (weather mark, Goat Island, Fastnet, Amelia and finish in the harbour), it was quite a sight to see the bigger boats catching up with the smaller boats as they rounded the Fastnet in a strong breeze and quite a swell.
Most days featured the inevitable 2.5nm beat up Long Island Sound with the wind funnelling down resulting in multiple tacks in a strong breeze before finally freeing off upon rounding Goat Island.
On the final day of the event the competitors were greeted with a light breeze, a welcome respite for the crews who had worked and played hard during the event. The WS2 race of 2 laps around West and Middle Calf took place in light airs in glorious sunshine.
Throughout the week Orca’s crew enjoyed well-earned après-sail refreshments on Schull’s sunny Main Street, catching up with fellow sailors outside Dalton’s and Hackett’s pubs, and in the Schull Harbour Hotel where the opening reception and prize giving took place.
Ann and crew were thrilled when Orca II emerged as overall winner of the 10-boat White Sails 2 Echo class after adding a second in the final race to a first in race one and a fifth in race 4.
Congratulations also to NYC’s Powder Monkey who won class 1 Echo. It was great to see fellow NYC members Alex Walsh and the NYC U25 crew aboard Ulysses in class 2, and Johnny Treanor and crew aboard Chris Tina in class 0
Thanks to sponsors Quintas Capital, to Race Officer Alan Crosbie and his race management team (including NYC’s Rosemary Roy), to all at Schull Harbour Sailing Club for months and months of work to make the 2026 Calves Week the best ever!
Beautiful scenery, warm sunshine, plenty of wind, and great racing – what more could you ask for!
Ann Kirwan
