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The aim is to encourage maximum participation so racing will be run under IRC in order to accommodate yachts in their current format. All yachts built to the Quarter Ton Rule and with a current IRC certificate are eligible to compete in the regatta, which takes place from the RCYC's Cowes Club House from 14-17 June 2005.

Entries to date include two former Quarter Ton Cup winners in the shape of 1975 champion 45 South, to be skippered by Laurent BEAVRIN (FRA), and Manzanita, which won the 1977 Cup in Helsinki. Manzanita is now owned by Irish sailing duo Neil KENEFICK and Joxer O'BRIEN. On hearing about the regatta KENEFICK and O'BRIEN knew exactly where to go to pick up a couple of team members and calls were made to old friends Ron HOLLAND and Killian BUSH who immediately rallied to the cause.

HOLLAND's involvement with the Quarter Ton class is legendary and includes winning the 1973 Cup in Weymouth with Eygthene, a boat he designed himself and built with Gary CARLIN. HOLLAND will helm Manzanita whilst BUSH, who also had a long involvement with the Quarter Tonners, has agreed to drag himself back onto the bow with KENEFICK and O'BRIEN looking after the middle of the boat.

Other well-known boats competing include Diamond, Purple Haze, Murphy's Law, Dina-Mite, Super Q and the Lil-Scampi class Olivia Anne 6. Among the skippers are Peter MORTON, Stephen BAILEY, Tony DODD and Graydon DAWSON whilst Tom RICHARDSON is currently hoping to race again with his original Quarter Ton crew.

News of the Quarter Ton Cup's revival set the Ron Holland Design Team thinking and they decided it was also time to revive one of their much-loved characters - Seamus of Strand Farmhouse. Back in pre-CAD days many designers had a trademark character that they hid in some part of the drawings. Rob JACOB, then working with Ron Holland Design at Strand Farmhouse in Currabinny, created Seamus. He first appeared on the 'H' frame of Kialo III, and went on to feature in the creation of many significant Ron Holland Design racing yachts. When the team eventually focused their skills on the superyacht market Seamus took to drinking heavily in Finbarr Cogan's establishment and disappeared from the yachting scene. When the call came through for HOLLAND to join the Manzanita crew Rob JACOB tracked down Seamus and discovered that, just like the rest of the crew, he had not aged a day and was as mischievous as ever. The sprightly sailor and his 'Still Crazy After All These Years' message so impressed the organizers that they have claimed him for the event.

Confirmed Entries

Needlework - Katie BEWES
Ayanami - Roger SWINNEY
Diamond - Graydon DAWSON
Super Q - Peter MORTON
Purple Haze - Tony DODD
Quartet - James BLACKBURN
Manzanita - Neil KENEFICK/Ron HOLLAND
Genie - Peter CRABB
Murphy's Law - Mark CARTRIGHT
Farr 727 - Stephen BAILEY
Dina-Mite - Glynn SHEFFIELD
45° South - Laurent BEAVRIN
Olivia Anne VI - Chris FLEWITT