Rejection BY the Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) has spawned a new millennium regatta concept for Cork harbour. The Royal Cork Yacht Club revealed plans this week to press ahead with an international two-boat regatta after the RORC turned down an Irish plan to stage the next Commodore's Cup in Cork.
Announcing dates this week for the Fastnet Cup 2000, the Royal Cork confirmed the new event will be a Grand Prix warm-up to Ford Cork Week capable of attracting entries from 20 countries or more.
The regatta, to run from July 7th-14th, could also muster at least two home-grown teams, but the Royal Cork remained tight-lipped on whether the new initiative could further weaken the British-based event, already suffering through lack of entries.
The proposal to take one of the most prestigious prizes out of Cowes was formally presented to the RORC by Cork's Clayton Love and Donal McClement during discussions in September on the reform of the regatta.
McClement and Love's decision to go it alone with the event is at the centre of an ambitious plan to celebrate 280-years of sailing in Cork harbour that is expected to see the biennial Ford Cork Week fleet swell to over 1,000 boats.
Mirroring the Commodore's Cup in many ways the new event will be a two-boat team event based on the brand new International Measurement rule (IRM) and International Club rule (IRC) regulations.
There will be a professional big boat - 1.1 to 1.3 under the Channel Handicap Rating (CHS) System - where 50 per cent of the crew will be professional. There will also be an amateur small boat rated at 1.02-1.14 under the CHS. The race schedule will include 12-mile windward/leeward; coastal courses and the 180-mile Fastnet race from Cork.
Meanwhile, five top youth sailors who depart for South Africa tomorrow are aiming to repeat a 1996 Irish success at the ISAF World Youth Championships.
The team, largely the same in composition to that which posted disappointing results at last year's regatta in Japan, regard this year's event as unfinished business, according to team leader Anne Blaney.
If a result, comparable to Laura Dillon and Ciara Peelo's 1996 bronze medal is to be achieved, however, the crews selected by a new ISA ranking ladder will need to act quickly, because Capetown represents the last opportunity for helms David Crosbie, Richard Honeyford and Mary O'Loughlin who all exceed the under 19-age limit next season.
Dragon sailor Paddy Maguire has taken over the reins at the Irish Sailing Association this week following the implementation of the association's strategic plan that sets out 40 specific goals until 2003. As president, Maguire will be supported by John Crebbin, who becomes director of boating. Harry Gallagher takes charge of racing, Alan McCracken handles training and Maria Walsh has been elected to the new post of director of promotions.
