Kamenovski First Irish CSWC Champion

“We are incredibly proud to be hosting CSWC in Ireland for the first time. This is a historic moment for the Irish cigar community, and we can’t wait to welcome competitors and spectators to experience the excitement, camaraderie, and passion that CSWC embodies.”

Those were the words of Barry Joyce, owner of The Decent Cigar Emporium in Dublin, when it was announced that Ireland would join the Cigar Smoking World Championship circuit. After the premier event on the island, he’s probably just as enthusiastic, because it was an exciting one.

Held at the Dylan Hotel in Dublin, it was off to a nervous, and false, start as one of the novice competitors lit a match before the “off”.

“Bringing them back in line, still raring to go, they were quick off the light, as fast as an Irish racehorse,” CSWC judge Sarah Saunders says. “Then hush, as all the competitors quietly settled to focus on the challenge. The compulsory five minutes of silence seemed a long time in Ireland.”

One by one, the participants were eliminated and after about an hour, there were three left competing for the historic title of Irish slow smoking champion. First out was Lucy Mokua, at 1 hour 4 minutes and 25 seconds. At this point it was getting clearer which way it was heading, as Saunders announced that Yordan Kamenovski had at least half his cigar left, while Eve Keanny was getting near the band, and she did what she could, but after 1 hour 10 minutes and 57 seconds she was out too. She wasn’t too beaten up by that, though.

“I honestly thought I’d be out in the first few minutes,” she exclaimed.

With calm determination, looking as if nothing could possibly disturb his focus, Kamenovski blew the last smoke from his cigar to pass the finishing post with a winning time of 1 hour 39 minutes and 48 seconds.

“This was one of the most exciting, lively and definitely most entertaining races I’ve ever judged”, remarked Saunders. “Such enthusiasm, playfulness and fortitude, and to quote the famous Irish writer James Joyce, “they lived und laughed ant loved end left” is the best summing up of my fabulous 24 hours in Dublin.”

1. Yordan Kamenovski 1:39:48
2. Eve Keanny 1:10:57
3. Lucy Mokua 1:04:25