Cork Week more attractive with the Euro down

Top entries lining up for July's top knees-up

With just under two months to the 18th edition of Cork Week, entries are beginning to build momentum. With the Euro 20% down on the pound sterling and promises of better value for competitors, Cork Week is on track to deliver a first class sailing regatta, especially to sailors visiting Ireland’s most prestigious yachting regatta from overseas.

A bevy of Cork 1720s are expected for Cork Week and rumour has it that several professional sailors will be making an appearance to take on top Irish competition. In the IRC racing classes, several winning yachts are returning to defend class wins from 2010 including; Paul Kirwin’s Sigma 38 Errislannan, which was jointly awarded Cork's top award of Boat of the Week last time out. Conor & Denise Phelan’s Ker 37 Jump Juice will be returning to defend their hard fought class victory in 2010 and a large contingent of Corby Yachts is expected including Richard Goransson’s Inga from Sweden with round the world sailor, Matt Humphries calling tactics and four time Volvo Ocean Race veteran, Richard Mason among the crew.

Earlier this year, The Royal Cork Yacht Club became the first club in Ireland to be awarded Five Gold Anchors by the Yacht Harbour Association. Gavin Deane is the new General Manager of the Royal Cork Yacht Club and he lives in Crosshaven and his family have been part of the fabric of the RCYC for generations. With 20 years of experience in the luxury hotel industry. He

is highly accomplished hotelier that is deeply passionate about Cork Week: “It is a common misconception that Cork Week is expensive. The entry fee for Cork Week includes your mooring fees and if you want to arrive a few days before the event and stay a couple more after, there will be no additional charge. As far as catering facilities, Anthony McCann and his team have been doing a fantastic job for the club this year and will have a variety of menus available, including breakfast each morning. In the Tented Village, we will also have BBQ food as well as a food court with gourmet fast food and oriental cuisine, all at competitive prices. We are determined to deliver a memorable event.”

Many sailors who work in the marine industry have not been to Cork Week due to the strict policy of not allowing professionals to race in most classes. However, this year the rules have been totally relaxed, one upshot of this change has attracted sailors from the Volvo Ocean Race to Cork Week. The round the world race ends in Galway shortly before Cork Week and several sailors involved in the Volvo Ocean Race have already entered for Cork Week. However, there will be no change to course variety at Cork Week Regatta this year and Cork Week scoring will include Progressive ECHO so results will be provided on a dual scoring basis with results and prizes for both IRC and ECHO.

“It is still a 5 course Dinner for 2012! Desert on the final day will be the Harbour Course for all and the possibility of a start line from one of the three historic forts of Cork Harbour.” Confirmed Cork Week Racing Chairman, Anthony O’Leary. “Cork Week has had a separate race team for each course for many years. In many cases race teams have managed same course for a number of Cork Weeks so they have the confidence that goes with plenty of practice!”