Outrajeous wins crucial race in Sovereign’s Cup despite injury on board

Richard Colwell dislocates shoulder during race as his crew sail on to win in Kinsale

Richard Colwell and John Murphy’s Outrajeous from Howth Yacht Club competing at the O’Leary Insurance Group Sovereign’s Cup 2021. Photograph: David Branigan/Oceansport
Richard Colwell and John Murphy’s Outrajeous from Howth Yacht Club competing at the O’Leary Insurance Group Sovereign’s Cup 2021. Photograph: David Branigan/Oceansport

In a result that proved critical to Saturday's final overall result, Richard Colwell on Outrajeous suffered a dislocated shoulder as his crew sailed on to win a crucial race at the O'Leary Insurance Group Sovereign's Cup at Kinsale.

The co-owner of the J109 from Howth Yacht Club was moving across the deck and tripped on some equipment before landing heavily to dislocate his shoulder.

“If ever there was a lucky moment for an injury, this was it,” he told The Irish Times. “On the final tack, on the final leg to win the last race of the day!”

Colwell crawled into the cabin of the 36-foot boat that continued racing. After lying down in a bunk, the shoulder reset itself but the resulting injury means he’ll miss the final day of racing.

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Showdown

Outrajeous lies second overall as part of a triumvirate of Howth boats led by Mike and Richie Evans’ Snapshot with Pat Kelly’s Storm in third place. Colwell’s team won the day with a second place and the injury-marked first place.

The three-way Howth showdown in the 14-strong Division 1 means the eventual winner could be a candidate for the overall Sovereign’s Cup.

The 17-strong Coastal division, the largest single fleet with the biggest boats in the event may also feature the overall winner.

With just one race per day, Friday saw a course length of some 30 nautical miles touring many famous landmarks of the area in a contest won by Denis and Annemarie Murphys’ Nierlargo from the Royal Cork YC.

However, clubmate Conor Phelan on Jump Juice still leads overall with a slim one-point advantage from Bob Rendell's Samatom from Howth with the final race to decide the class.

David Branigan

David Branigan

David Branigan is a contributor on sailing to The Irish Times