Sailing Cork Week The chairman of the Cork Week race committee has responded to criticism of race management standards during the first two days of the series. Light, almost windless conditions on Monday and Tuesday had coincided with a series of technical issues on several courses.

"We're very aware of competitors' frustration caused by the lack of wind but it's important to remember it was awful for the race officers and the army of volunteers too," said Eddie English.

However, critics have pointed out that it isn't just the weather that interfered with the opening days of the event.

English and his team have introduced a number of measures, such as better briefing of race officers, especially on course length and radio communications.

The measures appear in the form of amendments to the sailing instructions and total 15. "There does appear to be rather a lot of changes in this regatta," said one international juror.

The Race Committee, in response, said many of these changes are to correct typing errors. "The spirit of this event is that it is a progressive regatta," said English. "We take on board people's suggestions and make the changes."

Meanwhile, organisers at the Royal Cork have raised a marine safety issue with the Irish Coastguard and the Garda.

A briefing note was circularised to the fleet along with extensive references in the Sailing Instructions relating to new Irish safety regulations that require all persons on boats of seven metres or less to be wearing a life-jacket.

Boats over seven metres must have a life-jacket for every person on board while children must wear life-jackets at all times on every length of craft .

However, while recent publicity and patrols by the coastguard and Garda water unit have resulted in a high degree of compliance, dozens of RIBs (Rigid Inflatable Boats) supporting entries at Cork are ignoring or failing to comply with the new laws.