#sb20 –  A competitive fleet is expected for the SB20 National Championship in The Royal Cork Yacht Club this weekend writes Kieron O'Connell.

All the usual suspects will be present in what looks to be a wide open competition with many strong teams travelling to the event. Fresh from their victory in the Northern Championship the Manama crew of Graeme Grant, Ronan Downing and Tara Flood can expect very stiff competition from local sailors Mel and Killian Collins, class newcomer Bob Espey from the RNIYC, previous National Champion and Olympian Peter Kennedy who won the event the last time it was sailed in Cork.

Also expected to be in the mix are Aidan O Connell, and the in form Dinghy Supplies crew of Darragh Sheridan, Shane Murphy and John Phelan from Howth Yacht Club as well as Michael O Connor from Dun Laoghaire. The weather forecast looks good with warm weather and light winds forecast. Race Officer Peter Crowley will have a busy weekend keeping manners on the fleet and getting three races a day.

The Royal Cork Yacht Club have great entertainment planned, there will be live music and a BBQ in the club Friday from 17.30 after racing and on Saturday there will be a live band from 17.30 till late with the event dinner at 19.30.

Venues for the 2015 SB20 season will be discussed at this weekend's national championships at Royal Cork Yacht Club that includes an option of running an event at Greystones Marina Co. Wicklow.  A coaching structure for 2015 wil also be put in place

#mirrordinghy – Record numbers attended the Mirror Southerns event at Royal Cork Yacht Club last weekend, 19 and 20 July 2014. 46 sailors in 23 boats – with helms ranging in age from 14 to 50+ and crew as young as five writes Celine McGrath.
Mirrors haven't sailed out of Royal Cork Yacht Club since 2005 and a few ex Mirror sailing members of the club, that have matured and have children of their own, decided it was time to dig out their old boats for some competitive family fun. There was some last minute sail swapping in the boat yard on Saturday morning and all boats, old and new, were ready for the first gun.
With changeable winds and changing tides the racing proved to be quite a challenge for the visiting boats, while the Royal Cork sailors knew their fate.
At the end of Saturdays racing Jack Maye and Shauna Armstrong from Sligo Yacht Club was leading by two points while our final overall winner was behind him by 5 points, so it was an open competition on Sunday.
The fluky winds and changing tides delayed Sunday's first race and went on to caus 9 sailors to not finish on the 2nd race and the 3rd race was cancelled due to time constraints.

Mirror fleet winners at Royal Cork. Photo: Paul Keal

A fantastic BBQ hosted by Royal Cork Yacht Club on the Saturday night brought everyone together for some fun and talk of tactics and mirror construction. The "wood v's fibreglass" is always a hot one. There is no doubt the Windlass Mirror is a fine design, but a well balanced wooden boat can easy beat them hands down – a wooden boat from South Africa did win the Worlds in Lough Derg Yacht Club last year.
Royal Cork Yacht Club presented the most fantastic prizes of skim boards, boogie boards, sailing gloves and much more, while Oldest helm, Boat in most need of repair, Youngest Crew received a selection of fun prizes ranging from walking stick to rubber ring!
Results –
Gold and over all 1st. Mirror Sail No. 70428 from Sutton Dinghy Club. Helm Shane McLoughlin and Crew Oscar Langan
Gold 2nd. Mirror Sail No. 70622 from Lough Ree Yacht Club. Helm Tiarnan Dickson and Crew Alex Leech.
Gold 3rd. Mirror Sail No. 70580 from Sligo Yacht Club. Helm Beth Armstrong and Crew Luke McGrath of Royal Cork Yacht Club.
Silver 1st. Mirror Sail No. 70036 from Schull Harbour Sailing Club. Helm Rory MacAllister and Crew Lughaidh Croasdell of Lough Ree Yacht Club
Silver 2nd. Mirror Sail No. 69683 from Sligo Yacht Club. Helm Helen Smith and Crew Sarah Nicholson.
Bronze 1st. Mirror Sail No. 21645 from Royal Cork Yacht Club. Helm Richard McGinley and Kelly Williams – on their first ever Mirror event.

#volvocorkweek – Volvo Cork Week is over for another two years and a very enthusiastic gathering took place last night at the Royal Cork Yacht Club for the presentation of the prizes and trophies writes Claire Bateman. Master of Ceremonies for the night was Chair of Volvo Cork Week and RCYC Vice Admiral John Roche.

Adrian Yeates, Managing Director Volvo Car Ireland spoke of their satisfaction with the event and the excellent competition and general good week enjoyed by all the competitors. He was followed by Admiral Pat Lyons who expressed the great satisfaction felt by the club at the excellent week enjoyed by all the visitors and local sailors alike. Then it was time for the presentation of prizes and trophies. Eddie English announced all the winners who received great applause and the prizes were presented by the Lady Admiral Ann Lyons.

The big winner of the event, Michael Boyd and Niall Dowling's Quokka, took first place in IRC 2, winner of the Hugh Coveney Cup as champion of the Harbour Race in which the entire fleet competed and also won the Kinsale Kettle for best overall performance as yacht of the week. The Prix d'Elegance for the most yacht present at the regatta was awarded to Richard Matthews' magnificent 125ft. Twilight while the Sisk Corinthian Cup for the most successful yacht with an entire crew of Category One sailors was presented to Tom McNeice in his Sigma 33 Minx. The trophy representing the best spirit of the event was awarded to David Wilkins in Goose Pimples.

Volvo Cork Week Overall winners were as follows:

IRC 1: Catapult, Marc Glimcher
IRC 2: Quokka 8, Niall Dowling and Michael Voyd
IRC 3: Storm, Pat Kelly
IRC 4: Insatiable, Tom Cunliffe
IRC 5: Bandit, Kieran O'Connell ad Graham Marron
Qtr.Ton:Illes Pitiuses, Jason and Dominic Losty
Sports Boats:
1: Spiced Beef, Robin and Ben O'Mahony
Non Spinnaker One:
1: Foxtrot, Hillary Davies
Non Spinnaker Two:
1: Minx 111, Tom McNeice

Additonal reporting by Louay Habib

Volvo Cork Week Final Report

Marvin Gaye's 'Let's get it on' and The Stranglers 'Something better change' rang out over the air waves as the Volvo Cork Week fleet waited for the breeze to set in for the final day of racing. However, the wind was sufficient to allow for a full racing programme to decide the winners for the regatta. Performing well in light winds requires concentration, perfect boat handling skills and tactical acumen. The teams that mastered these factors reaped the rewards. Volvo Cork Week featured the entire Irish team for this month's Brewin Dolphin Commodores' Cup and all three yachts had magnificent results.

Michael Boyd's Grand Soleil, Quokka (Royal Irish YC) was the clear winner of IRC Two, winning seven of the eight races sailed and was awarded The Kinsale Kettle for Yacht of the Week and the Hugh Coveney Trophy as the overall winner of the Cork Harbour Race. Quokka along with Catapult and Antix will be representing Ireland in this month's Brewin Dolphin Commodores' Cup.

Only a broken spinnaker pole in Race 4 prevented Quokka from a perfect scoreline at Volvo Cork Week. Racing with IRC One meant that Quokka was always having to deal with boat on boat factors with faster yachts, even though Quokka was able to show a clean pair of heels to their own class, the teams achievement in a production yachts against world class opposition in racing yachts was impeccable.Michael Boyd led his team up to collect the Kinsale Kettle having already received the Hugh Coveney Trophy.

"Hugh was a legendary sailor for my generation, I feel very honoured to be presented with the trophy bearing his name, especially as his son Andrew presented it." commented Michael Boyd, visbily moved by emotions. "Hugh will always be highly respected all over Ireland and overseas and leaves behind him a tremendous family. Hugh Coveney was an exceptional sailor and a great man - a legend of my generation. Winning the Kinsale Kettle is fantastic. The team on Quokka has put in a tremendous amount of hard work to win at Volvo Cork Week and our moral is high, we will do our best to win the Commodores' Cup back for Ireland."

Marc Glimcher's Ker 40, Catapult (Baltimore SC) was the victor in IRC One. The crew work was slick and the tactical calls from local Olympian, Peter O'Leary, kept the bright red hull at the front of the fleet, taking Line Honours in every race bar one boding well for the fastest yacht in the Irish Team for the Brewin Dolphin Commodores' Cup.

Catapult's Boat Captain, Geoff Ewenson from Annapolis USA, was at the helm of the yacht and highlighted starts as an important aspect of the team's success. "With an even start line, coming in on Port tack, you are looking for a gap to tack into where you have enough space to be able to move the bow as you like but not so big that a competitor comes in and tacks under you. With light airs and current it normally pays to get up from the tide but the race course here has shifts that are just as important, even though we didn't have big breeze the racing was excellent."

IRC One featured a tremendous battle for the podium with three boats just a point a part going into the final race. Anthony O'Leary's Ker 39, Antix (Royal Cork YC) finished the regatta in style winning the last two races to take second place in IRC One with Andy Williams' Ker 40, Keronimo (Yealm YC) third on countback from Richard Matthews' Hakes 42, Oystercatcher XXX (Royal Burnham YC).

Quokka was the clear winner of IRC Two winning seven of the eight races sailed. As with the big boat class, a close battle developed for the podium. Conor Phelan's Ker 37, Jump Juice (Royal Cork YC) took second place in the last race, to take runner up for the class, with Tony Ackland's Dubois 37, Dark Angel (Swansea YSC) taking third by just a point from Findlay & Anderson's Xp38, Roxstar (Clyde CC).

In IRC Three, Pat Kelly's J/109, Storm (Rush YC) had a shaky start to racing on the final day, placing 12th but 2nd place in the last race secured the all Irish team the class win. Paul O'Higgins Corby 33, Rockabill V, (Royal Irish YC) was second and Ian Nagle's J/109, Jelly Baby (Royal Cork YC) was third.

In IRC Four the winner was Tim Cunliffe's Half Tonner, Insatiable (Royal Cornish YC). The vintage half tonner was beautifully restored at Pendennis Shipyard in Cornwall. The Cornish team scored podium finishes in every race to win the class by ten points. Paul & Deirdre Tingle's Corby 25, Alpaca (Royal Cork YC) was second. Team Foyne's X-332, Dexterity finished the regatta in fine style, winning the last race by just 24 seconds, to tie on points with Alpaca, but after countback Dexterity was third.

In IRC Five, Jason & Domonic Losty's Quarter Tonner, Illes Pitiuises (Cobh SC), was the resounding winner with nine straight bullets to the boys from Cobh, a fantastic achievement. However, the formula for calculating the overall winner meant that Quokka was awarded the Kinsale Kettle. Diarmuid Foley's Quarter Tonner, Anchor Challenge (Royal Cork YC) finished the regatta with two second places on the last day to take runner up for IRC Five. Kieran O'Connell's Quarter Tonner, Bandit (Royal Cork YC) was third.

In the Sportsboat Class Robin & Ben O'Mahony's 1720, Spiced Beef (Royal Cork YC) scored six bullets out of nine races to win the pocket rocket class. Denis Murphy's 1720, Aquatack (Royal Cork YC) was second by just a point from Julian Cook's Viper 640, Oh No (Royal Thames YC).

In IRC One White Sail, George Pettifor's Beneteau 36.7, Foxtrot has had an outstanding regatta, winning four out of six races to win the class. John Downing's Samba was second with Peter O'Donovan's X-372, X Tension third.

Tom McNeice's Sigma 33, Minx III won the last race to win IRC Two White Sail. David Borry Crockett's Sigma 33, Upstart was second with Pat Vaughan's Contessa 33, Aramis in third. Yesterday, Upstart damaged their head sail but in a show of corinthian spirit, which is the heart and soul of Volvo Cork Week, Tom McNeice lent their competitor a spare to allow them to compete fairly in the last race.

Volvo Cork Week Racing Chairman, Anthony O'Leary was quick to praise both the race management team and the staff of the Royal Cork Yacht Club. "To conduct such magnificent races in difficult conditions was highly commendable, congratulations should go to the Race Officers, Jack Roy, Robert Lamb and Peter Crowley and all of the management team out on the water. The Royal Cork Yacht Club has welcomed competitors to the club with open arms and Gavin Deane, all of the staff and volunteers, have worked tirelessly to make sure the competitors have had a memorable time. That result is ably assisted by good race management, sailors coming off the water happy are much easier to please at the bar!"

Adrian Yeates, Managing director of Volvo Car Ireland, was on hand to open the awards ceremony for the 2014 Volvo Cork Week Prize Giving Ceremony on the lawn at the Royal Cork Yacht Club. compered by Eddie English, with speeches from John Roche, Chairman of Volvo Cork Week and Royal Cork Yacht Club Admiral, Pat Lyons.

The Volvo Cork Week Prize Giving was well attended, the music and the drinks were flowing long into the night. Souldriven playing live at the Volvo Cork Week Marquee followed by DJ - Bar with a bar extension until 2.00am! The legendary Craic of Cork Week went on long into the night.

#corkweek – Unsettled weather provided changeable conditions for the third day of racing at Volvo Cork Week writes Louay Habib. The day started with bright sunshine and balmy conditions, causing a short postponement for many classes and light rain (honestly!) and a stiffer breeze was encountered during the day. With many classes now completing six races, the discard has kicked in and front runners have become more apparent. What is plainly obvious from the results is races and places are being contested by seconds. Volvo Cork Week is providing exciting, close racing and ashore the craic is the same as ever.

Fleet A, composing of the fastest racer cruisers, competing in IRC One and IRC Two took on the Windward Leeward Course, which was 3 miles south east of Roches Point. Once a northerly breeze had settled, the fleet got a clean start in Race 5 racing upwind towards the shoreline. The breeze was light and the first leg proved to be crucial. Peter O'Leary was calling tactics today on Marc Glimcher's Ker 40, Catapult (Baltimore SC). "We crossed the line on starboard tack and tacked as soon as we could to head for the area of pressure on the right hand side of the course. The race was all about finding that extra pressure to get ahead of the fleet and into clear air."

Peter's brother Nicholas O'Leary is tactician on Michael Boyd's Grand Soleil 43, Quokka (Royal Irish YC). "Mark Mansfield on the wheel and myself were in total agreement that the right would pay" commented Nicholas. "We had both seen this scenario in the 1720 Nationals and it was clear to us."

Catapult scored their fourth win in a row in Race 5 and ended the day leading IRC One for the series by six points. Andy Williams' Ker 40, (Yealm YC) won Race 6, to move into second position on countback, from Richard Matthews Hakes 42, Oystercatcher XXX (Royal Burnham YC).

Quokka were unstoppable today, winning both of today's races to open up an 8.5 point gap for the series in IRC Two. Tony Ackland's Dubois 37, Dark Angel (Swansea YSC) is still in second place but a solid performance by Conor Phelan's Ker 37, Jump Juice (Royal Cork YC) has lifted the team up to third.

Fleet B, consisting of IRC 3, IRC 4, IRC 5 and the Sportsboat Class enjoyed three races on the Olympic Course, near Roches Point. with over 40 yachts racing on a tight triangular course.

In IRC Three, Pat Kelly's J/109, Storm (Rush YC) still leads the class after an intense battle. Robert McConnell's, A35, Fools Gold was the winner in Race 5. The intensity of the combat was evident by the top four yachts were only separated by an astonishing 12 seconds. Last year's class champion, Ian Nagle's J/109, Jelly Baby (Royal Cork YC) was the winner of Race 6 by just 23 seconds from Storm. However, the Kelly family racing Storm, finished the day on top by winning the last race of the day.

"The Olympic Course is a real test, especially the gybe mark, where yachts are converging for a manoeuvre all at the same time. Just a few seconds can make the difference between first and fifth." Explained Joss Walsh, trimmer on Storm. "The overall game plan was to keep with the yachts around us and try and compete with them for speed and avoid errors, which would be very costly. Pat Kelly has four sons on board, Storm is a real family boat but we are quite a heavy crew, which has made racing difficult in light conditions. We are all here to enjoy very competitive racing and a few pints at the club afterwards. We are here to win but having fun is just as important."

Former ICRA National Champion Storm leads IRC 3. Photo: Bob Bateman

Storm leads IRC Three by 10.5 points points from Paul O'Higgins Corby 33, Rockabill V, (Royal Irish YC). Jelly Baby is just half a point behind Rockabill V in third.

In IRC Four, Tim Cunliffe's Half Tonner, Insatiable (Royal Cornish YC) is the new leader having scored a 1,2,3 in today's three races. Paul Tingle's Corby 25, Alpaca (Royal Cork YC) has dropped to second place after struggling on today's Olympic Course. Peter Deasy's Bad Company (Royal Cork YC) had their best day so far, scoring a 4th and a win to move up to third in class. Ronan Fenton's J/35, Sky Hunter (Blackwater SC) finished the day in style, taking their first win of the regatta in Race 7.

Dave Lane and Sinead Enright's YaGottaWanna. Photo: Bob Bateman

In IRC Five, it is now six straight bullets to the boys from Cobh. Jason & Domonic Losty's Quarter Tonner, Illes Pitiuises (Cobh SC). However, the team have had to fight for their supremacy, winning Race 5 by 6 seconds and Race 6 by 35 seconds. Kieran O'Connell's Quarter Tonner, Bandit (Royal Cork YC) had a consistent day to have a solid position in second place for the series. Frank O'Regan's Orient Express (Cobh SC) is the smallest keel boat at the regatta and lies third, just one point ahead of Lane & Enright's J/24, Yagottawanna (Royal Cork YC).

In the Sportsboat Class Robin & Ben O'Mahony's 1720, Spiced Beef still leads the class after scoring a third and a race win today but two yachts came into the running with excellent results today. Julian Cook's Viper 640, Oh No, won the first two races putting pressure on Spice Beef but a fifth in the last race means that Spiced Beef have a five point lead for the series. Denis Murphy's 1720, Aquatack scored three second places today to move up to third for the class, just a point behind Oh No.

Lenny Donnery's No Knomes.  Photo: Bob Bateman

In IRC One White Sail, George Pettifor's Beneteau 36.7, Foxtrot had an outstanding day in Cork Harbour, winning both of today's races to become the new class leader. John Downing's Samba drops to second place, just two points off the lead. Peter O'Donovan's X-372, X Tension scored a second and third place today to move up to third for the class.

Tom McNeice's Sigma 33, Minx III won both of today's races to open up a three point lead in in IRC Two White Sail. David Borry Crockett's Sigma 33, is second with Pat Vaughan's Contessa 33, Aramis in third.

Tonight's entertainment at the Royal Cork Yacht Club Event Village includes, traditional Bag Pipes from Sessiun Ceol followed by DJ Fadd Jnr, mixing the tunes after 10pm. Racing continues tomorrow, full results available here

Ted Crosbie at the tiller of No Excuse. Photo: Bob Bateman

#opti – A consistent showing by Harry Durcan who never fell out of the top three, despite very tricky conditions, at last weekend's Optimist Leinster Championships gave the Royal Cork sailor the title.

Durcan will be Ireland's sole representative at the Argentinian World Championships this October.

Second place at the Royal Irish hosted eveny went to Dara Donnelly of the National Yacht Club and third place to a visiting Maltese sailor. In the senior silver fleet Paddy Cunnane from Dingle Sailing club earned his win with Sarah Fogarty and Kate Darcy second & third in Silver senior fleet.

Optimist class interest now focuses on the European Championships hosted next week at the Royal St. George Yacht Club in Dun Laoghaire.

Senior fleet results available to download below.

#corkweek – The fast high performance yachts racing at Volvo Cork Week enjoyed the unique Slalom Course today, the triangular course has an offset mark which forces the crew to gybe half way down the reaching leg, providing high octane maneuvres in close quarters with other yachts.

Marc Glimcher's American Ker 40, Catapult (Baltimore SC) was launched on the Slalom Course today, scoring three straight bullets. Catapult's crew include, Royal Cork's Harry Durcan, the teenage national Optimist Champion, who was beaming from ear to ear. However it was far from easy for Catapult, which will be representing Ireland in the forthcoming Brewin Dolphin Commodores' Cup. Each race was won by just seconds with three high performance yachts pushing hard; Richard Matthews' Hakes 42, Oystercatcher XXX (Royal Burnham YC), Andy Williams British Ker 40, Keronimo (Yealm YC) and Anthony O'Leary's Ker 39, Antix (Royal Cork YC).

"That is the first time I have raced on a slalom course although it is an idea we have thought about back home in Maryland." Commented Catapult's Geoff Ewenson from Annapolis USA. "Conventional windward lewards are more tactical but this course is all about speed, boat handling and sail selection, which is more akin to modern yachts flying asymmetric sails and it is a very exciting discipline. We were by no means faultless today but we have got to be happy with our results and racing a new course set up was very refreshing, something we all enjoyed."

In IRC Two, Michael Boyd's Grand Soleil 43, Quokka (Royal Irish YC) had another great day. Quokka won the first two race but dropped to fourth for the last race of the day. After four races, Quokka has a slender lead for the class from Tony Ackland's Dubois 37, Dark Angel (Swansea YSC). Conor Phelan's Ker 37, Jump Juice (Royal Cork YC) had a consistent day resulting in third place by the close of play. The intensity of the racing in IRC Two produced a tie for second place in the first of today's three races between Jump Juice and Dark Angel.

Fleet B, consisting of IRC 3, IRC 4, IRC 5 and the Sportsboat Class enjoyed three races on the Windward Leeward Course, three miles south east of Roches Point.Warm sunshine and stable conditions prevailed,with blue skies and fresh breeze coming off the land to provide a perfect classic race track.

In IRC Three, Pat Kelly's J/109, Storm (Rush YC) was in impressive form scoring a win and a second in today's races to open up an 8.5 point lead at the top of the class. Paul O'Higgins Corby 33, Rockabill V, (Royal Irish YC) sailed consistently well today to move up to second in class. Robert McConnell's A35, Fools Gold (Waterford Harbour SC) is third.

In IRC Four, Paul Tingle's Corby 25, Alpaca (Royal Cork YC) had a great day scoring two wins and a second, to climb to the top of the class. Tim Cunliffe's Half Tonner, Insatiable (Royal Cornish YC) finished the day in style with a win, to place the Cornishmen just two points off the lead. Ronan Lyden's Corby 25, Aurora (Royal Cork YC) scored two second places today to move up to third.

"Champagne sailing!" smiled Paul Tingle, skipper of Alpaca. "12 knots of breeze, a great course and really competitive racing. I just love Cork Week and today was a very special day to be out on the water. The Corby 25 is a step-up for us this season and she is a far more physical boat that we are used to, so in the last race, we were a little tired and let or concentration lapse but what a day! We are off for a crew dinner and can't wait to get going in the morning."

In IRC Five, Jason & Domonic Losty's Quarter Tonner, Illes Pitiuises had another cracking day, to win all three races and have the only perfect scoreline of the 100 yachts competing at Volvo Cork Week. Last month, Illes Pitiuises won the Corinthian Division of the Quarter Ton Cup in Cowes and look like they have brought that scintillating form with them to Volvo Cork Week. Kieran O'Connell's Quarter Tonner, Bandit had a good day on the water, moving the team up to second place above Lane & Enright's J/24, Yagottawanna. Dermott Foley's Anchor Challenge and Frank O'Regan's Orient Express posted good results today on the windward leeward course.

In the Sportsboat Class Robin & Ben O'Mahony's 1720, Spiced Beef still leads the class, having scored two first places today. Mike Relling's Viper 640, Viper scored their first bullet of the regatta to keep hold of second place, but by only one point, from Jimmy Nyhan's 1720, Salve racing.

John Downing's Samba leads White Sail IRC One by just two points, after winning the first of two races today. Sailed along the stunning coastline west of Cork Harbour the fleet enjoyed spectacular views in bright sunshine and a moderate breeze. George Pettifor's Beneteau 36.7, Foxtrot won the second race of the day to lift the team to second for the class. Whilst, Bryan Heffernan's Dufour 365, Aisling scored a second and a third to place third after three races. The Heffernan Family include two members in their 70s, who could not race in the spinnaker classes, a prime example of why the White Sail class is included at Volvo Cork Week.

Tom McNeice's Minx III and David Borry Crockett's Upstart are both Sigma 33S and the two yachts are enjoying incredibly close racing. Only six seconds seperated the two yachts in today's first race. Minx III and Upstart are currently tied for the lead in White Sail IRC Two. Pat Vaughan's Contessa 33, Aramis is third and a win in today's first race has lifted Clive Doherty's GK29, Phaeton to fourth.

Tonight's entertainment at the Royal Cork Yacht Club Event Village includes; Samba Corcaigh Walking. Who are afloat, playing Samba drums around the pontoons. Brazil made be out of the World Cup but the party is still very much going on at Volvo Cork Week! Racing continues tomorrow,

Full results here

#corkweek – Thrilling conditions welcomed an international fleet of yachts from all over Europe and the United States to Volvo Cork Week. 100 yachts racing in Cork Harbour produced a magnificent spectacle writes Louay Habib. Cork Harbour is one of the largest natural harbours in the world and provides stunning scenery and tricky wind and tidal conditions. The gusty north easterly breeze tested the boat handling skills of the international fleet, with several yachts reporting a boat speed of up to 20 knots on the surf.

The first race of Volvo Cork Week started just outside Roches Point, the wind speed piped up to 17 knots with a short sea state. The beat into Cork Harbour had the fleet swapping tacks past Spike Island, before negotiating close tight reaching legs along the picturesque town of Cobh. For many it was a race of over three hours, before returning to the Royal Cork Yacht Club to enjoy the full facilities of the exclusive race village.

Michael Boyd racing Grand Soleil 43, Quokka (Royal Irish YC) had an outstanding race, winning IRC Two by a landslide 15 minutes on corrected time. Tony Ackland's Dubois 37, Dark Angel (Swansea YSC) was second in IRC Two, just seven seconds ahead of Jim Macgregor's Elan 410, Premier Flair (Poole YC), which made an impressive comeback after starting prematurely.

For Volvo Cork Week, Mark Mansfield (Royal Cork YC) is at the helm of Quokka. Mark sailed at four consecutive Olympics from 1992 to 2004, for Ireland, in the International Star Class.

"We got a great start, there was a wind shift just before the gun, which favoured the pin end and we had a nice approach and tacked soon after into clear air." Explained Mark. "The wind speed was up and so was the sea state and Quokka just loves those sort of conditions. Heavier than the Ker 40s, she goes well through the waves but downwind Quokka doesn't plane, so the Ker 40s got away. The crew work today was very good, especially after some last minutes calls; it's obvious that this team has been training well together for the Commodores' Cup."

Anthony O'Leary's Ker 39, Antix (Royal Cork YC) started well and played the current and the wind acceleration through Roches Point to lead on corrected time at the top mark off Cobh. Marc Glimcher's Ker 40, Catapult (Baltimore SC) helmed by Royal Cork's Olympian Peter O'Leary, took Line Honours by 27 seconds from Richard Matthews' Hakes 42, Oystercatcher XXX (Royal Burnham YC) . However, after time correction, Antix won the class by less than a minute from Catapult with Andy Williams' Devon based, Ker 40, Keronimo in third.

Victory in IRC Three went to Pat Kelly's J/109, Storm (XXYC). Paul O'Higgins Corby 33, Rockabill V took line honours but after time correction Storm won by nearly three minutes from Robert McConnell's A35, Fools Gold with Rockabill V third.

The IRC Four Class winner for 2012 was in fine form today. former Royal Cork YC Admiral, Peter Deasy driving Bad Company scored a slender win from Paul Tingle's Corby 25, Alpaca (Royal Cork YC). Tim Cunliffe and his team from Falmouth, racing Half Tonner, Insatiable was third.

Bad Company won by just 49 seconds on corrected time. "Beautiful conditions and a really competitive race, what a great start to Volvo Cork Week." Smiled Peter Deasy. "We are delighted to see Insatiable back, we had a great battle with them last time and Paul's new boat, Alpaca, is sailing very well indeed, so we will have to be at our best to win this class."

It was a long day on the water in IRC Five, Jason & Domonic Losty's Quarter Tonner, Illes Pitiuises was the winner by just under five minutes from Dave Lane & Sinead Enright's J/24, YaGottaWanna. Christine Willis's Westerly Fulmar, Rodmar was one of the last yachts to finish today, after over four hours of racing, the team from Aberaeron SC showed great tenacity taking third in class after time correction.

In White Sail IRC One, Bryan Hefferan's Dufour 36, Aisling (Royal Cork YC) took Line Honours and the class win on corrected time from John Downing's Sunfast 32, Samba. Peter O'Donavan's X-372, Xtension (Royal Cork YC) was third.

In the Sportsboat Class, Robin & Ben O'Mahony's 1720, Spiced Beef was the winner with Mike Relling's Viper 640, Viper taking second place and David Pitman's Viper 640, The Black Adder was third. Viper could have won the first race but for a navigational error. "We over stood a mark, which cost us the lead and ultimately the race." Admitted Viper's skipper, Mike Relling. "We had a real blast though, hitting 19 knots on the reach and it has been great to race against the 1720s. They definitely have us upwind but downwind the Viper is much quicker, so we expect a regatta-game of snakes and ladders, pardon the pun!" David Pitman's Viper 640, The Black Adder was third.

After racing, hundreds of competitors enjoyed a few glasses at the Royal Cork Yachjt Club with live entertainment. The SLAM Crew Games kick off tonight in the Marquee with a giant screen showing the FIFA World Cup Semi-Final between Brazil and Germany. Racing continues at Volvo Cork Week tomorrow Wednesday 8th July, with the international fleet enjoying a variety of courses both inside and outside of Cork Harbour.

For full results here

#corkweek – Crosshaven sparkled both on and off the water yesterday as all is in readiness for the official start of racing today at Volvo Cork Week 2014 writes Claire Bateman.

The aura of goodwill and smiling faces was in evidence everywhere in Crosshaven today. The Royal Cork Yacht Club was buzzing with last minute registrations of yachts still arriving, the sun shone non stop and there was a delightful summer breeze wafting around to keep the crews on the water.

Many of the yachts, particularly the visitors, took the opportunity to make an observance trip of the harbour both inside and out while others decided to take part in the practice races organized by the Race Committee and to iron out an last minute glitches in their final preparations.

Make no mistake, it is all very pleasant and amicable with a wonderful spirit of camaraderie but, just like any other sport, once the start is underway the competition comes into play.

With a good forecast for today of some 11 to 16 knots of nor westerly breeze conditions should be perfect for the in harbour race that takes the yachts up to a turning mark of Cobh and is a favourite viewing point with the general public. Given the forecast, the yachts may yet get to experience what is known as the "cathedral puff" a wind that may get deflected around the spire with sometimes interesting results!

It only remains to wish the best of luck to all competitors for a wonderful week of racing and to enjoy the extensive shoreside facilities organized for the week.

#CorkWeek – With a fleet of just over 100 boats, yesterday's official opening of Volvo Cork Week at Royal Cork Yacht Club was a proper parade of sail as the competitors readied their vessels for the days of racing ahead.

Members of the public turned out in droves to see the boats and enjoy the festivities of Sunday's open day, including fun fair rides and an open-top bus shuttle between the Royal Cork and Camden Fort Meagher taking in the breathtaking vistas of Cork Harbour.

Later came the official opening of Volvo Cork Week by Marine Minister Simon Coveney, together with VCW chair and club vice admiral John Roche and admiral Pat Lyons.

But Cork Week is about the action on the water, and it got off to a rapid start yesterday morning with the PYR Race Dash for Cash, which boasted a prize fund of €1,000.

The tightly fought battle saw Peter McCann with crew Arran Walsh, sailing a 420, emerge victorious to take the first prize of €500.00.

They were followed in second and third place respectively by John Downey and Sandy Remmington, and Alex Barry and Richard Leonard, both sailing RS400s.

As previously reported on Afloat.ie, it's set to be a challenging yet rewarding week ahead across the fleets, and particularly so in the big boat class as several Ker 40s will be gunning for new British IRC Nationals champion Antix.

#volvocorkweek – A brief look over the entry list for Volvo Cork Week would suggest a challenging week ahead as the various fleets look forward to a competitive and enjoyable week of sailing at Royal Cork writes Claire Bateman. At the cutting edge in the big boat class there are several Ker 40's including Marc Glimcher's Catapult visiting Cork for the first time and Andy Williams' Keronimo a return visitor to Cork since 2013 with her distinct and easily recognizable 'HH' on the bow. Both these yachts will have to compete with Anthony O'Leary's Ker 39 Antix, just fresh from her victory at the British IRC National Championships. Also in this highly competitive grouping is Richard Matthews' highest rated boat in the fleet, GP42 Oystercatcher, accompanied by her mother ship the beautiful 125 ft.Oyster "Twilight".

Things don't get get any easier for those in Class Two with Conor and Denise Phelan's Ker 37 Jump Juice, fresh from her victory in the ICRA Nationals. She will have to compete with the Dowling/Boyd Quokka currently tuning up for her participation in the Irish Commodores' Cup Team. One should not underestimate the new X boat the Findlay/Anderson Roxstar who recently made her debut in Irish waters at the ICRA Nationals and with several First 40's adding to the mix, and a J120 to boot, should make for interesting competition.

Class Three, always a highly competitive class, includes nine J109's including Liam Shanahan's Ruth, pipped by seven minutes for a win in the recent Round Ireland, but she will have to compete with Ian Nagle's Jelly Baby also fresh from her recent win at the ICRA Nationals. Despite a recent disappointing performance at ICRA Nationals, one should never ignore the well sailed Robert McConnell's A35 Fool's Gold who certainly has the capacity to cause a major shake up.

Class Four will have its share of fiercely competitive and dedicated racing sailors including rivals Deasy/Desmond/Ivers Bad Company and T.E. Crosbie's No Excuse. Also included in this grouping will be the Dominic Losty IIlles Pitiuses, fresh from her recent Coutts Quarter Ton Cup Corinthian Victory and Judy McGrath's Hunter Impala Bonanza helmed by Barry Rose.

Royal Cork's own1720 class will be ar Volvo Cork Week, Photo: Bob Bateman

Now we come to the clash of the Sports Boats! Three Viper 640R's are making their way to Volvo Cork Week. This 21ft. sports boat, a very dinghy like boat, allows hiking and with the build having been taken over by Rondar since 2006, sports a carbon rig. These welcome visitors will compete with our own 1720s which made their first appearance in the April League 1994.

The White Sail fleet will sail in two classes on specially designed courses and it would be a brave person would make any pronouncements on who might emerge on top as this class appears to become more competitive with each passing day.

Practice Race Monday (7th). Official racing will commence Tuesday with the entire Volvo Cork Week Fleet competing in the hugely popular race that includes the highlight of a spectacular mark rounding off Cobh.

Indeed a mealy mouthful of racing to be enjoyed during the coming week.