Next Saturday, Ford Cork Week opens bringing with it an opportunity and excuse for Irish sailors to mess about on boats in Crosshaven, Co Cork. Some enthusiasts simply cannot wait that long and have set out on the seas already. On Thursday, a group of MBA students from Trinity College, Dublin are travelling to Cowes on the Isle of Wight to participate in an international regatta.
Open only to business schools, the event has attracted eight boats each with crews of 10; this is the first time an Irish team has taken part in the regatta. Over the weekend, the students will spend two days racing 67-foot steel yachts, the same boats which sailed in the 1996 BT Global Challenge. Although the race has been an annual event for the past seven years, this is the first time these 43 tonne vessels have been used.
Top business schools from around the world have signed up for the regatta and this global mix is reflected in the TCD team; the crew includes Irish, American, Australian and Canadian members. Starting from scratch as a team, they have only been training together for the past six weeks, while simultaneously trying to complete their MBAs - on the day these pictures were taken, two of the group being photographed had interviews with potential future employers.
During next weekend's regatta at Cowes, the TCD participants will be well-covered in waterproof clothing, but once back on land alternative garb ought to be appreciated. While none of the pieces shown here would survive the rigours of a serious race, they all share a nautical character. Certain colours used in conjunction with each other always suggest naval life; the combination of dark blue and white - especially in horizontal bands - never fails to make the wearer look ship-shape. Relief from these two strong tones can be provided by brilliant red, turquoise and aqua blue.
These are clothes for people who want to look sporty without having to go through any of the rigours that sport demands. An area which has seen sustained growth during the past decade, sportswear is a favourite even among people who never take any exercise. Dressing the part has become almost as important as playing the game. Right now, this particular band of MBA students is probably wishing the right appearance was enough to win them the race at Cowes.