With over 65 confirmed entries at present, representing fourteen clubs, ranging from Galway to Dublin, the 2019 Calves Week organised by Schull Harbour Sailing Club, is again shaping up to provide competitive and exciting racing for the annual West Cork festival of sailing writes Bob Bateman.
The event will see sponsor, Frank Whelan of Gas Analysis Services, hoping to make it three victories in a row in his Grand Soleil “Eleuthera”, following his excellent performance in Kinsale's Sovereign's Cup and more recently Dun Laoghaire Regatta.
This year’s event incorporates a race in the SCORA offshore series and will feature racing for six classes, with Principal Race Officer Alan Crosbie promising a variety of courses using laid Buoy’s and the many islands of Roaring water bay, together with in-harbour starts when possible.
Grand Soleil “Eleuthera at the Fastnet Rock Photo: Bob Bateman
The opening reception and registration takes place at the Fastnet Marine Centre on Monday, August 5th from 17.30 hrs, where the cream of the West Cork gourmet scene will serve a fantastic array of local food and wine to set the week in motion.
Frank Whelan at the helm of Eleuthera Photo: Bob Bateman
The first “round the islands” race fleet starts at 11.55 on Tuesday and on Wednesday the fleets will sail a variety of courses in Long Island Bay. Thursday will see the combined fleets head for the Fastnet Rock, where there is the possibility of meeting some of the backmarkers of the Rolex Fastnet Race.
The series finishes on Friday with racing in Roaring Water Bay, followed by the overall presentation of prizes and closing ceremony on Schull Main Street.
Local racing on Saturday continues with Crookhaven Regatta, and for those with still some stamina left, Schull Regatta Committee finish off the week in style on Sunday, with an all in Cruiser race and shore side fun activities together with a firework display at dusk.
Calves Week Regatta entries are here
