THE SUN was not shining down like back home in Australia, but for Limerick-born Ann Hogan and her crewmates from Sydney, Cork Week at the Royal Cork Yacht Club in Crosshaven was a hit.
Ann, from Adare, and her fiancé, Chris Stockdale, had persuaded eight of their friends from Manly Sailing Club in Sydney to come over for Cork Week - and they had chartered a yacht from Con Minihane of Baltimore to compete in the weeks's racing.
"We headed out to to the start line in sunscreen and shorts and T-shirts this morning and 20 minutes later they're wearing everything they own and looking like Michelin men - I've tried to tell them it's a typical summer's day in Ireland, but they're loving the craic here," said Ann.
Some 410 boats are competing in this year's event, with over 5,000 sailors coming from as far afield as the US, South Africa, Australia and Hong Kong to enjoy the sailing and social events hosted by the world's oldest yacht club.
The yacht club's admiral, Mike McCarthy from Ballinlough, who is competing in his boat, Chequemate, said he was pleased with the number and quality of entries in the event, which this year celebrates its 30th anniversary.
"The numbers are excellent - we have the same number of boats as last year which in the current economic climate is a good result, and of course, the size of boats is significantly bigger, so there are more competitors," he said.
Cork businessman and former yacht club admiral Barry Rose from Fountainstown said what makes Cork Week unique was the combination of sailing and the social events - which each night attract around 10,000 visitors.
"I think it's unique in world terms," said Mr Rose, who was competing in his yacht, Obsession. "The quality of racing is unparalleled - we have five different race courses and the quality of race management is fantastic. Cork Week continues to improve and evolve and I think it's a really special event."
One person who didn't agree was a man who was browsing the sailing equipment stalls and who wanted to remain anonymous.
"I'm from Kinsale Yacht Club and we have the Sovereign's Cup and that's great sailing. This is more a social event: it's great for the ladies and if you want to dress up and parade around a bit."
So why was he here then?
"Well, all the British manufacturers have stands and if you have problems with anything, they'll fix it for you. It's great in that regard." Cork Week, it seems, even has something for the sceptics.
