Big breeze and big seas created some mind-boggling action at Cork Week on Day Three writes Louay Habib. Torrential rain in the early morning, gave way to some sublime sunshine giving the competitors some classic Irish sailing. 15-18 Knots of breeze from the south with wind over tide, created swell with waves reaching three metres at times.

“I have been to every Cork Week bar one since 1988. Today was my favourite course, the Harbour Course. The big boats will be there on Friday. Where else can you see boats like that racing inside a natural harbour?”

Flor O'Driscoll, winner of Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta 2009

 

 

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Action from a breezy day three. Photo: Tim Wright

 

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IRC Super Zero
The carbon-fibre flyers were racing on the tactical windward leeward course with the stunning backdrop of rocks near Roberts Cove. These boats light up in big conditions and the TP52s were an awesome sight surfing through the waves.

Gray and Laidlaw’s Solent based Farr 52, Bob and Austin Fragomen’s American TP52, Interlodge won a race each today putting pressure on Johnny Vincent, TP52, Pace who is still top of the class but Bob is now just two points behind them. Paprec Recyclage and Interlodge are tied for third place just behind the front two runners.

Many of the crew on Gray and Laidlaw’s Farr 52, Bob have sailed on the boat since she was first built in 2000. John Brinkers is one and was pleased with their performance today.

“That was tough going, especially the sea state, we got nailed a bit in the first race when the breeze died down for a stage of the race. The TP52s had made their time on us and in the fading breeze we couldn’t catch them up but we sailed well in the second race. Bob got a great start and managed to hang onto the TP52s upwind and rounded pretty much with them. The big call of the day came on the second lap. We spotted a shift and took a different side of the course to the other boats, we got right back at them to take our first win and put us right in the mix.”

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IRC Zero

David Dwyer’s Mills 39, Marinerscove.ie had another solid day, posting a first and a third, pouring pressure on the class leader. Bernard Lambilliotte’s Swan 45, Nemo of Cowes is still leading but the margin has shrunk to just four points ahead of Marinerscove.ie. Kieran Twomey’s Corby 38, Gloves Off with Irish Olympic sailor, Mark Mansfield at the helm, is third on tie-break with French Ker 39, Inis Mor owned by Bernard Gouy.

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IRC One
It was all smiles on Robert Davies, Corby 36, Roxy 6. Two races and two bullets sneaked them into first place on the leader board by virtue of more first places than Conor Phelan’s Ker 37, Jump Juice. These two are both locked on nine points with Richard Fildes’s Corby 37, Impetuous, still very much in the hunt, on eleven points.

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J/109 European Championship
Greg Burgess’ Blue Jay had a perfect day on the Olympic Course and now have a commanding lead in their quest to win the European crown. There were two bullets today for the Welsh team of young Cardiff Bay J 80 sailors led by Burgess. Brian Moreton’s Jukebox is having a consistent set of results and was rewarded by claiming second place overnight. Robert O’Leary’s Jeroboam did not have the best of days and drops down to third.

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IRC Two
Donal O'Leary’s X 35, D-TOX had a sensational day on the water, winning both of today’s races and propelling them above Paul O’Higgins’ Corby 33, Rockabill V and Sailing Logic’s Reflex 38, Visit Malta Puma. The IRC Two Class was on the Olympic Course today with the fleet screaming down the reach in flat water and excellent breeze. The class looks set to go to the wire, with the top three boats only separated by a single point, after discard.

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IRC Three
This morning, John Moorehead & Chris Ferres J 35, Bengal Magic had won every race but they were not as flash today on the Slalom Course. This allowed title contenders to close the gap; Ross McDonald’s X 332, Equinox reveled in the heavy weather in the second race, taking their first win at Cork Week. Dermot Cronin’s J 35, Mumbo is in third.

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IRC Four
Paul Kirwan’s immaculate Sigma 38,  Errislannan got back on track today, posting two wins by a handsome margin on the Slalom Course. Errislannan leads the class by four points. Paul & Deirdre Tingle’s First 31.7 Alpaca is second with Conor Ronan Corby 26, Ruthless in third. Tomorrow the class head for the Olympic Course, if the forecast heavy weather continues, expect the Sigma 38s to feature, especially Errislannan.

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IRC Five
Vincent O’Shea’s YANKS $ FFRANCS is a light fast, Corby 25 and today’s lumpy conditions were not ideal but the team started and sailed the boat with precision and determination. Taking second place in the only race of the day, to keep a stranglehold on the Class. Denis Coleman’s sistership, Thunderbird did not fair as well, coming seventh in the only race of the day for the class and remains in second place but lost precious ground on the class leader. John Allen’s X 302, Antix still lies in third place.

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IRC Six
This class is looking like turning into a two-horse race between skippers who know the marvelous stretch of water as well as anyone. James O'Brien, Kenefick & Kenefick’s Quarter Tonner, Tiger and Flor O’Driscoll’s J 24, Hard on Port. The Kenefick family live right on the Cork River, opposite the Royal Cork Yacht Club and Flor O’Driscoll was born in Cork and has sailed here all his life. Tiger has a straight run of five bullets but Hard on Port has been giving Tiger a good fight. Tomorrow, Flor’s team on the J 24 will need to beat Tiger on the multi-manoevre slalom course, if they are to have any chance of winning the class. O’Driscoll will be a happy man, win or lose, as he explains;
“I have been to every Cork Week bar one since 1988. Today was my favourite course, the Harbour Course. The big boats will be there on Friday. Where else can you see boats like that racing inside a natural harbour?”

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Mixed Sportsboat and SB3 Class
Michael Wilson’s 1720, YKnot didn’t win either of today’s two races but two second places cemented their position at the top of the class. Bryan Hassett’s 1720, Darkside and sistership, Denis Murphy’s Aquatack, both scored victories today but slipped up in the accompanying races to fall behind YKnot. Tomorrow sees them tackle the tricky Slalom Course.

Ben Duncan & Brian Moran’s SB3 Sharkbite had a shocker today; being called over the start line on the Harbour Course picking up an 11th place. They are still leading, by virtue of discarding the race but are now far more vulnerable than this morning. Trevor D'Arcy’s SB3 Bullet lies in wait, just four points behind Sharkbait. The SB3 Class is back in the balance. Ronan Downing SB3, Profile Park, also fell foul at the start but still lies in third place.

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White Sail One & Two
Philip Dilworth’s Grand Soleil 40, Orca enjoyed some fast reaching on the Trapezoid Course to win both of today’s races by a huge margin and is red hot favorite to win White Sail One. Kevin Lane’s Dufour 40, Aisha leads the chasing pack. Charles Broadhead, Jerry Collins and Ian Stuart Sigma 38, Persistance moves up to third.

White Sail Two is looking to have a clear favourite, Jerome McCarthy, Clarke & McMullin’ s Half Tonner, Harmony took a brace of wins today. The Rob Humphreys yacht was built in 1980 by RJ Priors and Sons and won a huge number of races at the height of IOR racing. Billy Duane’s Sunlight 30, Expression had another great day on the water. The 30 footer was dwarfed by the sea swell and excellent seamanship resulted in two second place finishes. Tom McNeice’s Sigma 33, Minx III failed to come to the starting area but still remains third.

Tomorrow, the forecast will be for some mighty big weather in and around the shores of Cork Harbour. However the weather this week has been very unpredictable and highly volatile, so who knows! Tomorrow is the penultimate day of Cork Week 2010, if the big boats do go out, it will be on the most exposed part of the racing area.

This evening the sun is out and setting over the tented village around the Royal Cork Yacht Club. Competitors will be looking forward to a concert on the main stage featuring Rock ‘n’ Roll band, FRED. Last night, The Marvels turned the dance floor into a sea of jumping party people, Cork Week will surely be rocking again tonight.

Provisional Results (subject to protest)

Super 0: 1 Pace (Johnny Vincent); 2 Bob (Gray, Laidlaw); 3 Paprec Recyclage (Ph Finance, Stephane Neve);

IRC 0: 1 Nemo Of Cowes (Richard Cotter); 2 Marinerscove.Ie (David Dwyer); 3 Gloves Off (Kieran Twomey);

IRC 1: 1 Roxy 6 (Robert Davies); 2 Jump Juice (Conor Denise Phelan); 3 Impetuous (Richard Fildes);

I RC 2: 1 D-Tox (Donal O'Leary); 2 Rockabill V (Paul O'Higgins); 3 Visit Malta Puma (Sailing Logic Limited);

IRC 3: 1 Bengal Magic (John Moorehead Chris Ferres); 2 Equinox (Ross McDonald); 3 Mumbo (Dermot Cronin);

IRC 4: 1 Errislannan (Patrick Kirwan); 2 Alpaca (Paul Deirdre Tingle); 3 Ruthless (Conor Ronan);

IRC 5: 1 Yanks $ Ffrancs (Vincent O'Shea); 2 Thunderbird (Denis Coleman); 3 Antix (John Allen);

IRC 6: 1 Tiger (James O'Brien, Kenefick Kenefick); 2 Hard On Port (Flor O'Driscoll); 3 Sea Hawk (Clem McElligott);

J109 1 Bluejay (Greg Burgess); 2 Jeroboam (Rob O'Leary); 3 Juke Box (Brian Moreton);

1720/Mixed Sports Boats: 1 Yknot (Michael Wilson); 2 Dark Side (Bryan Hassett); 3 Aquatack (Denis Murphy);

SB3 : 1 Sharkbait (Ben Duncan Brian Moran); 2 Bullet (Trevor D'Arcy); 3 Profile Park (Ronan Downing);

White Sail 1: 1 Orna (Philip Dilworth); 2 Aisha (Kevin Lane); 3 Persistance (Charles Broadhead, Jerry Collins & Ian Stuart);

White Sail 2 1 Harmony (Jerome McCarthy, Clarke & McMullin); 2 Expression (Billy Duane); 3 Minx III (Tom McNeice);

 

Check out an English visitor sailing in IRC 4 who hit the putty off Cobh just metres from the finish line yesterday! It's all below in a three minute clip, the first Cork Week video report from Digby Fox. 

Cork Week pics (Day 2). Different weather to-day! Grey, dull and misty, a great contrast to yesterday's sunshine but Bob Bateman's action from day two is captured HERE!

Report plus Photos! There are plenty of strong home sailing performances from the first day of Cork week today and Irish boats are in control in IRC Zero, the J109s, IRC three and IRC divisions four, five and six. Its a great start to what the official press release is calling 'Costa del Cork' but locals know Cork Harbour is far better than that place. Cork week 2010 opened in spectacular sunshine this afternoon; an entirely appropriate antidote to the doom and gloom of recent months. Moderate breeze of 10-15 knots from the southeast, gave competitors a day to remember and there were many happy sailors returning to the dock this afternoon. Louay Habib joined them on the water and reports here class by class. Afloat Photographer Bob Bateman was on the water and in the air. His shots are below and his photo gallery of day one is here.

IRC Zero

Race Two for super zero was subject to a decision by the jury today but Super zero was still a clash of the titans on the Slalom course today and it was exciting stuff as Paprec Recyclage tactician, Sebastien Destremau explains: "We were happy with our boat speed and performance in Race one but it was pretty difficult out there, these boats are really powerful and the corners come up a bit too fast. The boats were really close together in Race Two. However the boats in the other classes which were on the same race course were not a problem as far as I am concerned."

Johnny Vincent's TP52, Pace came back in a light airs second race to win by a tight margin from Gray and Laidlaw's Farr 52, Bob with Paprec Recyclage in third. After two races the big boat class is led by Pace, Paprec Recyclage is second with Bob in third place.

J/109 European Championships

Eighteen J 109s are competing at Cork Week for the European Championship and they enjoyed some fantastic racing today. Robert O'Leary, steering Jeroboam, got a cracking start, right under Weavers Point, they went on to win the race by over two minutes. Steven Tapper's Stalker was second and Jonathan & Andrea Tithecott's Judgment Day taking third.

Jeroboam is owned by Jim Prower from Britain but is crewed by students mainly from University College Cork, including Robert O'Leary, who is just eighteen years of age, in his first year at the University.

"We started right under Weavers point to get out of the adverse tide and got a bit of help from the surf down the shore. After that, getting under Carlisle Fort was the way to go, again due to the tide." explained Robert O'Leary.

Jeroboam led from the start and in clear air they were pulling away from the rest of the fleet, after a cracking first two legs, Jeroboam led the fleet out of the Harbour to Ringabella Bay and then headed offshore. Jeroboam were leading the fleet but only by about 30 seconds.

"The further offshore we went the more the wind started to go east and we got our lay-line spot on, we had a good run back but didn't pull away from the pack. We were still vulnerable but we have some great local knowledge and once we got into the harbour for the second time we felt that this would pay. We also managed to slow the opposition down by some good boat on boat work; after we rounded Cobh Mark, we hoisted our spinnaker and gybed immediately on to starboard, several boats behind us had to give way. With a comfortable lead, we could then sail more conservatively."

IRC Zero

Anthony O'Leary's Ker 39 had a solid start to the series and is the overnight leader. Class Zero has some exceptionally close racing and Antix tied with Kieran Twomey's Corby 38, Gloves Off on corrected time in Race Two. A second on their first race puts the Irish Rolex Commodores' Cup captain in pole position. Bernard Lambilliotte's Swan 45, Nemo of Cowes is second, finishing the day on a high note by taking Race Two. Gloves Off is third by just half of one point. It was a mixed day for Richard Matthews and his crew on Oystercatcher XXVI. The Humphreys 42 will have fancied their chances on the slalom course and took the gun in race one by a country mile but where over the line in Race Two and had to go back and take a 20% penalty, meaning that they drop out of the top three, at the end of the first day.

IRC One

It couldn't be closer, in IRC One. After two races, there is nothing to separate the top three boats. Richard Fildes, Corby 37, Impetuous, Conor Phelan's Ker 37, Jump Juice and Robert Davies, Corby 36, Roxy 6 are all tied on four points. Jump Juice had a cracking first race taking line honours and a win on corrected time by some margin. Roxy 6 will be representing Ireland in the forthcoming Rolex Commodores' Cup and Jump Juice and Impetuous are past entries. IRC One looks like it will be an intense battle.

IRC Two

Nineteen boats were jostling for position at Weavers Point in IRC Two. It was a fast reaching start and too many were over eager, causing Race Officer, David O'Brien, to send them back for a General Recall. The fleet got away second time and Wouter Borghijs A 35, Tontin powered into the lead, after hoisting a Code Zero and accelerating off at pace. Tontin looked to have an unassailable lead but it was Sailing Logic's Reflex 38, Visit Malta Puma that took the spoils, as skipper Tim Thubron explains:

"We have the highest handicap for the class and before the race, we thought that the Harbour Course may prove difficult for us, as it is difficult to get away from the other boats. However, I thought that the crew work today was excellent, especially for a team that has only be sailing together for a few days. The Harbour Course is a tricky place to sail and we paid careful attention to the chart and the depth.

Winning today, exceeded are expectations and so did the weather! We started in full oilskins but were soon peeling them off and enjoying some brilliant sailing. We are really looking forward to having a few beers and some food at the welcome party tonight."

Visit Malta Puma are the overnight leader in Class Three, just ahead of two Corby 33s. Barry Cunningham's Contango and Paul O'Higgins' Rockabill V.

IRC Three

Previous Cork Week Class winner, J 35, Bengal Magic had great day at the office winning both of today's races but Ross McDonald's X 332, Equinox is putting the pressure on with two second place results. Dermot Cronin's J 35, Mumbo is third. The 22 boat strong fleet enjoyed some spectacular conditions on the Trapezoid course, 3 miles offshore of Roches Point.

IRC Four

Patrick Kirwan's Sigma 38, Errislannan leads both the class and the Sigma European Championships with a first and a second in two races. Conor Ronan's Corby 26, Ruthless recovered from a fifth in Race One to win the last race of the day, to claim second place, overnight. Royal Cork's Alpaca owned by Paul & Deirdre Tingle had a consistent day and are third.

IRC Five

Vincent O'Shea's Corby 25, YANKS $ FFRANCS won both of today's races. Sistership, Thunderbird owned by Denis Coleman had a consistent day and are third with John Allen's X 302, Antix third. Ronan Lyden's Corby 25, Aurora looked to be going well with a second in the first race but placed 11th in the second to drop down the leader board.

IRC Six

Quarter Tonner, Tiger entered by the Kenefick's and James O'Brian did battle with Flor O'Driscoll's J 24, Hard on Port today. On the highly tactical, Windward Leeward Course. For the moment, Tiger are in front but Race One was the closest race of the day, in any class. Tiger taking the bullet by just 11 seconds, on corrected time. Paul Murray's Impala, Prometheus had a very consistent day and lies third.

Mixed Sportsboat & SB3s

The Welsh will be singing tonight but joined no doubt by the Irish. After two races there is nothing separating Michael Wilson's Welsh 1720, Yknot and Bryan Hassett's Irish 1720, Darkside. Malcolm Thorpe's 1720, King Louie is not far behind in third.

Ben Duncan and Brian Moran's SB3, Sharkbait were to strong for the fleet today, posting two bullets by a comfortable margin. Ronan Downing's Profile Park and Trevor D'Arcy's Bullet were second and third respectively. They will be hoping to get the better of Sharkbait on the Trapezoid Course tomorrow.

White Sail

Philip Dilworth's Grand Soleil 40, Orna was unstoppable in White Sail One posting two bullets by a handsome margin on the Olympic course. Dan O'Neill's IMX 38, Xerxes had a good day, as did Kevin Lane's Dufour 40, Aisha who are tied for second place.

In White Sail Two, McCarthy, Clarke & McMullin's Half Tonner, Harmony and Tom McNeice's Sigma 33, Minx III are tied for first place. Billy Duane's Sunlight 30, Expression posted to podium finishes and is just behind the front runners in third.

Cork Week 2010 was officially opened last night by Micheál Martin, Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs, with the assistance of Paddy McGlade, Admiral of the Royal Cork Yacht Club and Peter Deasy. Cork Week Event Chairman. It was a light-hearted affair and extremely well received by a huge gathering of competitors and event staff alike. Tonight Cork Week will throw a competitors' welcoming party with complimentary food and drink for all. After today's spectacular weather and champagne sailing, there looks like there could be more of the same tomorrow with perhaps more breeze in the late afternoon.

 

Full results HERE. More Photos HERE Afloat Cork Podcast HERE

Irish Olympic Star sailor and Cork harbour local Peter O'Leary was on board the American TP52  Interlodge for a gentle warm up in Cork Harbour this afternoon and Afloat went with him. From the East Coast of the USA, Austin Fragomen is sailing this ultra-modern TP52 designed by Judel Vrojlik.  The boat has been optimized for IRC and is one of eight entries d in the regatta's super zero class. Racing starts in the morning. Bob Bateman's photos over the fold:

 

 

 

No sooner had the Clipper fleet left the Lee on Friday than a second important Munster sailing festival, in as many weeks, was getting underway. Royal Cork organiser Peter Deasy declared Cork Week regatta officially open this afternoon. The rain held off for the ceremony at the Royal Cork venue that was attended by Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheal Martin TD. Afloat's Bob Bateman captured the atmosphere in Crosshaven. His photos are over the fold:

 

At 1615 local time (1915 GMT) Cork, Ireland, crossed the start line at Royal Cape Breton Yacht Club to begin the 2,075 mile race to Kinsale. The team, led by Hannah Jenner, has 48 hours to build the biggest possible lead before the fleet of nine Clipper 68s starts to hunt them down. For the first time in the Clipper round the world yacht  Race’s history this will be a pursuit race after the original Clipper 68 was lost when Cork hit a submerged reef in the Java Sea last January.

 

Race start for Cork followed the usual procedure and crews from the nine remaining boats lined the rails of their yachts to cheer their friends out to sea. A team from the Fortress of Louisbourg primed their 8lb replica cannon and, after the ten and four and one-minute preparation signals, fired it to unleash the yacht towards the waiting ocean.

 

The Challenge 67 that the team is now sailing is slightly shorter and also heavier, so the fleet is racing under IRC handicap rules. For Race 12 that handicap is being applied up front, hence their departure from Cape Breton Island today, rather than with the rest of the fleet on Saturday afternoon.

 

Cork’s crew almost immediately changed up from their yankee headsails to a mid-weight spinnaker to take full advantage of the ten knots of breeze. 

 

Irish crew member Kevin Austen shared his thoughts prior to the boat departing, saying, “This Atlantic crossing is a nice big carrot at the end of the stick and we are looking forward to pushing her hard and bringing her home. The concept of the pursuit race is really interesting; the next 48 hours will be pedal to the metal, keep her moving to get as much space between us and the pursuers. The weather gods have not been on our side in the last couple of races but we have already shown that we can be competitive. We are hoping to show that properly now and push fast and hard across the last great ocean crossing of this race.”

 

The others are really looking forward to the moment the team makes landfall on the other side of the Atlantic, including County Kerry resident, Jacqui Browne. 

 

“When I see Ireland for the first time, you will probably never see such a big smile, ever, on a person’s face,” she says. “I’ll have the biggest grin I have ever worn! Even this morning, seeing the routing chart and seeing the straight line across the Atlantic, it makes home feel very close.”

 

Before they slipped their mooring lines, the team was invited to a send-off reception at which Burton MacIntyre, a local step dance teacher who will be coming to the stopover in Kinsale and Cork with the Cape Breton Island delegation, put the crew through their paces. For many of the team arriving in Ireland will mark their return home after almost a year away and a quick brush up on their dancing skills in readiness for a huge party in Kinsale was deemed essential. Burton promised to be on the quay side to greet the team when they arrive after the final major ocean crossing of the Clipper 09-10 Race. 

 

He won’t be alone – the Cork crew members already have big plans for celebrating their homecoming and supporters will be there in large numbers. 

 

Kevin says, “My mother has a few plans for Cork but it’s easier getting a line up for a music festival early on as it is to get the plans out of my Mum! I have heard talk of a big barbecue. They will all be in Kinsale; my friends – the two Tims, Luke and Neil and all of my mates will be down. They’ve rented a house in Kinsale and it should be a massive big party.”

 

Jacqui will also have a sizeable group of supporters waiting to cheer her in as she arrives home. “It will be really emotional but for now it’s excitement at the anticipation of seeing friends and family that I know will be waiting at the quayside and I’m really looking forward to seeing them and hearing them screaming and roaring out my name. I would expect at least 50 to 60 people that I know will be there – people from Cork and Kerry plus many of the Cork crew who have sailed on previous legs. It’s going to be one big happy party.

 

“I am particularly proud of this boat because I went out to Antigua to collect her and work on her and now I’m bringing her home to Cork. That has always been our huge ambition, as the Cork team, to bring her in to Cork – hopefully in first place.”

 

Skipper Hannah Jenner knows she has the team that can do that, and that starting ahead of the rest of the pack could give them a slight psychological edge. 

 

“It really depends on what happens with the weather because the first 24 hours are going to be quite difficult,” she explains. “It looks like potentially there’s going to be light winds from a lot of different directions so it’ll either be good for us going out there, getting into reasonable wind and knowing we’re getting ahead or its going to be a really stressful night as we go slowly and nervously look at the clock as it counts down to the time when the others start. So, fingers crossed for the good wind and good boat speed and we’ve just got to keep it. 

 

“The boat’s fine in heavy airs and we’re competitive under the handicap in heavy airs but if the wind drops under 15 knots it becomes a nervous time for us. So we’re hoping for that breeze that keeps us ahead and that we can get far enough ahead and into new breeze that’s due to fill in around the time the rest of the guys start so that we can keep moving when they’re moving.”

 

The other nine yachts of the Clipper fleet will leave Sydney, Cape Breton Island, on Saturday 19 June and they and Cork are due to arrive in Kinsale between 1 and 4 July for an eight day festival there and in Cork City. For more information on the festival programme, visit www.corkclipperfestival.com.

 

Aerial footage of Cork Harbour below.

The first visitors to Spike Island this summer will be given walking tours of the new tourism attraction Cork County council says. The island in the middle of Cork harbour is the subject of proposals to develop it as a major tourism resource in the harbour. More here.