SAILING CORK WEEK RACING PROPER at the biennial Cork Week begins at Crosshaven this morning as a recession-depleted fleet goes afloat. In terms of this event, a drop from the dizzy heights of 1998, when around 700 boats gathered, to this year's 200 or so, marked for many gathered at the Royal Cork Yacht Club last night a return to the regatta's roots.
Nevertheless, unchanged from the event’s peak is the successful formula afloat, where the variety of courses offered by Cork Harbour and the waters off Roche’s Point continue to appeal to racing sailors.
Around 2,000 competitors will be in action daily until Friday and close racing is predicted in several key classes.
Officially, entries stood at 206 boats last night, though several boats are known to have pulled out for various reasons.
Piet Vroon’s Round Ireland Race-winning entry Tonnerre de Breskens 3 returned to the south coast of England last month following the owner’s illness prior to that race. His reluctant absence from Class Zero has been noted, though the 18-strong class is certain to be a headline division this week as it features many of the entries in the coming Commodore’s Cup.
Home boats are likely to be to the fore in the class, and Anthony O’Leary’s Antix will be going head-to-head with Dave Dwyer on marinerscove.ie, who recently retained his British IRC overall national championship title.
Also absent is BP chief executive Tony Hayward following controversy at his presence at the recent Round the Island Race in Cowes. However, his TP52 Bob (formerly Bear of Britain) is in Crosshaven and will be racing in the super-zero class.
Of the 13 classes, the J109 one-designs are also likely to be among the most-competitive as the 18 Irish and British boats are contesting their Eurocup championship at Cork.
The J109s include O’Leary’s youngest son, Robert, who, along with seven college friends found themselves boat-less prior to the event but offered themselves as a ready-to-sail package to any owner in the class. Jim Prouwer on Jeroboam was first to reply and the fresh line-up could yet upset the class form-guide.
Despite the optimistic air about Crosshaven last night, talk around the RCYC also focused on the weather expected for the week ahead.
Saturday saw flooding in the area, and while today is expected to be fine with good breeze, gales and more rain are expected to make appearances at times this week, ensuring a “good-mix of conditions”.
branigan@indigo.ie
