#corkweek – Over 80 yachts have now confirmed their entry for Volvo Cork Week writes Louay Habib. More than half the yachts are Irish and a strong contingent of British yachts will be looking to take on the best that Ireland can muster. The entire Irish Commodores' Cup team will be racing along with competitors from other nations for the country versus country competition in The Solent this summer.
Competitors will be racing from Ireland, England, Wales, Scotland and France, as well as Hong Kong and the United States of America. The real attraction for coming to Volvo Cork Week is that the regatta is run by sailors for sailors and that is expressed in the excellent race courses and also ashore, with the legendary hospitality of the Royal Cork Yacht Club. Sailing is full of characters and plenty of them will be coming to Volvo Cork Week.

Irish Olympic Sailor - Peter O'Leary, Ker 40 - Catapult

"The whole of the Irish Team for the Brewin Dolphin Commodores' Cup will be racing at Cork Week including, Catapult, Antix and Quokka and there is good competition coming from England and Ireland including, Keronimo, Premier Flair and Jump Juice, so the racing should be very exciting. Cork Week is an ideal work up for the Commodores' Cup; the variety of the courses and the standard of the opposition is sure to sharpen up all of the Irish team."

Honk Kong Reunion - Adrian McCarroll, X-37, Pure Attitude

"We have been coming to Cork Week for every regatta since 2000. We love the easy going friendly atmosphere surrounding the regatta, which spreads out to all the places we visit whilst there. The racing is magical and later, getting all the families together for dinner, is very special. Our crew and support team all have one thing in common and that is Hong Kong, but we are now dispersed to the US, the UK, Ireland and of course Hong Kong. We get together at Cork Week for a reunion. The first time we came, my son was still in nappies, this year he will be running the foredeck."

Wish List - Ronan Fenton, J/35, Sky Hunter

"Sky Hunter first raced at Cork Week in 1998 with the original owners from whom we purchased the boat in 2009. The crew are a group of friends from the Blackwater Sailing club in Maldon, Essex. In 2010, My wife and I, along with our two small children, cruised into Crosshaven during Cork Week and we have wanted to come back ever since. 
Cork Week is a huge yachting attraction for the racing and social scene and the whole team are looking forward to the "craic".

Returning to Cork Week - Philip Bourke, J/105, Jet Dream

"I bought Jet Dream in 2012 and it was love at first sight. I sailed her for the first time from Morbihan in France directly to Crosshaven. It was the wettest trip of my life, she leaked like a sieve but boy she was fast. I first attended Cork Week on a Castro 40, Justine IV, way back in the 90's but haven't been back for a while. I must admit that the sailing on the water was great and of a very competitive level and this is the only reason I'm coming back to do the event on my own boat this time. As a result of the financial hardship we have all gone through, I'm hoping the event will go back to the way it was, more down to earth and a little lighter on the pocket. But I'm sure we'll have a great time and I appreciate all the hard work the organisers have put into the event."

New to Cork Week - Dave Shanahan, First 34.7, Warrior

"I bought Warrior last year and we are somewhat of a novice crew from Dublin Bay. Besides the fact Cork is such a beautiful place, I have long read about this fantastic event and always wanted to get a boat and take part and enjoy what Cork Week has to offer. The crew are all over 50 and keen to sail and willing to learn and compete."

Top Class - David Rider, Frers 45 – Echo Zulu

"We have sailed at Cork Week three times before and the courses and organisation have been top class and the shore-side fun too, the best hospitality bar none. It's a long way to come but we think worth it. It must say something that my brother met his wife during Cork week ten years ago and liked it so much he now lives there too.
The crew, including my brother Michael, have sailed together for many years on various boats. We also have a few token youngsters on board to keep the average age below 55, a couple of the crew have won the week overall on Cloud Nine some years ago.
"

For nearly 40 years, generations of sailors have enjoyed racing at Cork Week. The regatta has evolved over those decades and Volvo Cork Week 2014 will be true to the core values of Ireland's most prestigious regatta - fantastic racing and great craic ashore. Gavin Deane, General Manager , Royal Cork Yacht Club spoke about the plans for the regatta. "Entries are up on this time last year and we now have an idea of roughly how many sailors we will need to cater for. For the yachts we are allocating berths on a first come first serve basis. If you are coming to Volvo Cork Week and have not registered with us, we would strongly advise you to do so, then we can include your crew and yacht in our plans. The Club is working tirelessly in preparations to make sure that all the competitors have a memorable regatta."

#1720 – You're in good time for the 1720 National Championships or any of this year's 1720 fixtures (see comment below from the class association) if you opt for this fun one design sports boat that the seller, MGM Boats, says is all set for the 2014 season. 

Moored in Cork, this 1997–built boat is a 'really clean' example. The boat comes well equipped with a full sail wardrobe, fully kitted road trailer with masting kit and lockers.

At €12,500, she's yours to sail away!

More on this boat in the one design section of the Afloat Boats for Sale site.

#corkweek – With Volvo Cork Week taking place just two weeks before this summer's  Dolphin Commodores' Cup, competing teams are eyeing up Volvo Cork Week as an ideal training event for the inter–country competition.

Early entries for Volvo Cork Week are promising a wide variety of sailors and yachts coming to enjoy, Ireland's longest running  regatta. Interest has been received from several high performance yachts from overseas and

Half of the early entries for Volvo Cork Week are from Dublin Yacht Clubs, promising signs of a strong Irish presence, looking to take on well sailed overseas visitors.

Maurice 'Prof' O'Connell will be crew boss for the Grand Soleil 43, Quokka, at Volvo Cork Week. Quokka, co-skippered by Niall Dowling and Michael Boyd will be part of the Irish team at the Brewin Dolphin Commodores' Cup. " Cork Week will be our last event before the Commodores' Cup." confirmed Prof. "We will have the full team racing the boat and we will be flying the flag in Ireland for the last time before the big event based in Cowes. Cork Week provides the perfect preparation in terms of the different types of course and I believe their will be a number of races each day, so we will be leaving the dock before 9 a.m. and out on the water until after 4 p.m. Essentially we will be spending a full day on the water, taking part in races that are very similar to our main event, Cork Week will mimic the Commodores' Cup inshore races, there is no more an ideal preparation for us to bring the team to the boil."

Cork Week is famous for fantastic race courses set in the Atlantic Approaches and Cork Harbour, providing a variety of racing that is difficult to better. However, the X-Factor at any successful regatta comes from the people who take part and Volvo Cork Week has characters in abundance. Every team comes to Volvo Cork Week looking for success but the legendary 'Cork Craic' is just as appealing as the racing.
British sailor, Andrew Jones now lives with his young family in Dublin. Andrew will be the skipper of X-43, Fox in Sox for Volvo Cork Week.
"We've managed to scrape together a motley crew of elderly Dublin Bay racers, sleep-deprived Dads, anti-social short-handed offshore guys, Fastnet novices, oh and a former hot-shot Italian helm." commented Andrew. "We're looking forward to our first Cork week with Fox in Sox and hope to have some laughs...and we might just be one to watch if we can make our boat fly! I have put the crew together from contacts made during the 2011 Fastnet campaign and friends at the Royal Irish Yacht Club. I'm the only Brit, the rest are Irish and Italian. Some of the crew have done Cork week before on other boats but this will be my first time. It's the major Irish regatta this year, so it's a must do for us."
Tony Kingston's 33ft Dehler, Luv Is, from Kinsale was one of the first entries, Tony and his wife Alice, a former Commodore of Kinsale Yacht Club, and have competed many times at Cork Week.
Alice trims mainsheet upwind and spinnaker downwind. She has completed thousands of miles of cruising and racing and has the reflexes of a mongoose, having put up with my helming for longer than we care to remember!" laughed Tony. "Choryna handles the pit and helms her own Dragon when she is not sailing with us but the iffy clutches and wonky winches are no bother to her. Miah, a cattle rancher from West Cork, takes care of the bow. He prefers heavy weather and is never happier than when the wind is high. He has done at least five Round Ireland's and a few Fastnet races and prefers offshore racing but will tolerate the short races. He has no interest whatever in how we do in a race: Times, results, classes and handicaps do not interest him at all. Two Laser sailors in their twenties complete the line up, giving the team a big input into tactics, they can read the race and the race area better than the previous generation most of the time.
My tuppence worth of advice for first timers at Cork Week, is to sail conservatively and prudently on day one. Give way early and avoid damage at all costs. Whether right or wrong, damage will ruin your week. Better to give up half a boat length than spend the day at the protest room or boat yard. Everyone is more relaxed after the first day. Also, remain civil afloat, as you will meet ashore at some stage and you may well find that you spend the whole week afloat with the same small group of boats, as if tied by an invisible string. Much better to make friends day one and enjoy it. We still meet friends we made on the water twenty years ago."
Gavin Deane, General Manager of the Royal Cork Yacht Club commented on the affect that the title sponsorship from Volvo will have on the event.
"Having Volvo as partners for Cork Week is fantastic news for the competitors." commented Gavin. "The Royal Cork Yacht Club will be investing all of the funds towards Volvo Cork Week. The money will be used to support great race courses and the partnership has enabled us to vastly reduce the entry fees. The minimum saving for boats will be 40% and as much as 70% in some cases. The club will also be giving complimentary car parking to competitors, which has been an issue in the past, and providing more afternoon entertainment. When people are coming in off the water, soul bands and other live music will be playing, hopefully the weather gods will smile on us and after great racing, there will be a great Craic ashore. Those are the goals for Volvo Cork Week 2014."

#corkweek – Royal Cork Yacht Club has described the weekend signing of its new sponsor for Cork Week as 'a new chapter' for Ireland's longest running international regatta week. News of the new title sponsorship broke on Friday.

Cork Week is recognised as one of the premier regattas in Europe and the Royal Cork Yacht Club is very proud to continue to host this event since its inception thirty six years ago. John Roche, Vice Admiral Royal Cork Yacht Club and Chairman of Volvo Cork Week, is looking forward to welcoming many old friends who have been coming to Crosshaven for many years and of course also looking forward to welcoming new competitors to this premier event. Racing on Cork Harbour's world famous courses will, as always, be under the direction of Anthony O'Leary, renowned national and international sailor.

Adrian Yeates, Managing Diretor Volvo Ireland Ltd said at the weekend launch: "Cork Week has enjoyed a long and illustrious history, both on the Irish and international sailing calendar. Volvo Car Ireland, in conjunction with Johnson and Perrott Motor Group, is proud and delighted to add its name to this prestigious event. Volvo has invested heavily in the sailing arena over the years and Ireland benefitted greatly from the visit of the Volvo Ocean Race to Galway for the last two round the world races. Volvo Cork Week will be one of the biggest sailing event to take place in Ireland in 2014 and next year will be the turn of the Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta which we have sponsored since 2007. We are looking forward to an exciting programme in Crosshaven in July and welcoming sailors and visitors alike

In 2014, conscious of the economic environment, there will be a substantial reduction in the entry fees and the format of the event will change from five to four days, Tuesday to Friday inclusive with Monday being a practice day for those wishing to avail of this. Volvo Cork Week 2014 will strive to include ten races and will continue to offer free berthage and a free car parking space for the duration of the event.

Of course there will be the usual variety of courses set in open water, coastal and in the harbour which should test crew handling and get just about every sail out of the bag .

In recent years, Two-Handed racing has become increasingly popular all over the world and Volvo Cork Week will recognise this by introducing a two handed class for the first time. The Sir Thomas Lipton Cup is one of the Royal Cork Yacht Club's most famous awards and the trophy, dating back to 1900 will be awarded to the best yacht in this class. Also, by its very nature, sailing short handed reduces accommodation and living expenses for a competing yacht.

The Royal Cork Yacht Club, the oldest yacht club in the in the world, looks forward to extending a warm welcome to all sailors who come to visit and would like to extend good wishes to all for a very enjoyable and safe regatta.

#corkweek – July's Royal Cork Yacht Club's Cork Week regatta will share the same title sponsor as Dun Laoghaire regatta according to this morning's Irish Times Sailing Column. It's a move that gives the Swedish car marque the headline name to both of Ireland's big sailing events.  As previously reported by Afloat.ie, the Crosshaven event has had a number of key changes to its format for 2014 aimed at reducing costs for both competitors and organisers alike. 

The new sponsorship deal will be a shot in the arm for the biennial event that is Ireland's longest running international regatta, a sporting event that became a global name in the nineties when competitor boat numbers reached 700 in 1998 to rival the UK's Cowes week regatta.

Royal Cork's John Roche is to chair the new week with top Cork helmsman Anthony O'Leary in charge of the famous Cork Week courses.

The J109 fleet will race for national honours as part of the week and a new trophy for short handed competition is also to be introduced. Royal Cork's own 1720 sportboat fleet will also be racing.

The Irish Times has more on the story here.

#corkweek – Since 1978, sailors from Ireland and all over the world have enjoyed Cork Week writes Louay Habib. One of Ireland's top regattas has evolved over the years, taking into consideration the changes within the sport but the sailing grounds in and around Cork Harbour have stayed the same. Cork Week offers a variety of courses from Atlantic wind and waves to the tricky tidal confines of Cork Harbour and the legendary 'craic' ashore, hosted by the Royal Cork Yacht Club, significantly adds to the fun.

J Boats

Once again, the J/109 Irish National Championship will be held at Cork Week. A fleet of 20 yachts from Ireland, UK and overseas is expected, confirmed J Boats, Paul Heys. "J Boats has just completed an excellent London Boat Show and we can definitely see a resurgence in demand for J Boats right across the range. The J/109 Irish National Championship has always been a very popular event and we expect a good turn out for Cork Week. The J/70 design is going from strength to strength, with over 600 boats sold in America and Europe. In November, Maurice 'Prof' O'Connell was appointed J Boat dealer for Ireland and we are already seeing demand for the new Sportsboat in Ireland, we expect to see a number of J/70s competing at Cork Week.

High Performance

South African, Mike Bartholomew's Mills 40, Tokoloshe was runner up to Piet Vroon's Dutch Ker 46, Tonnerre de Breskens in 2012 and hopes to return to Cork Week with his new GP42, Tokoloshe.

"The new Tokoloshe needs quite a few modification to get it competitive for IRC and we are working on that now." confirmed Mike Bartholomew. "We hope to come to Cork Week and I am really excited about the prospect, as the competition, the courses and the conditions will, as always, produce excellent racing."

Capable of surfing at over 20 knots, the all carbon flyer will revel in the Cork Week courses on the Atlantic Approaches and Tokoloshe may not be alone. Hamble UK based, High Performance Charter, has similar yachts available to charter for Cork Week.

"Cork Week provides well run races in perfect conditions for fast light displacement race boats. High Performance Charter has a range of yachts available including GP42, Ker 40 and Mills 43." confirmed Bryan Davies. "These yachts will be in top condition for racing and the package includes delivery from Hamble to Cork and back. Basically a team can fly in to Cork have a real blast and fly home again."

Falmouth Boys

Tim Cunliffe's Cornish Half Tonner, Insatiable will be returning to Cork Week after coming runner up in IRC Three last time out. Tim explains why the crew from Falmouth will be coming back, proudly flying the Royal Cornwall YC burgee.

"First and foremost, in 2012 we had a successful Cork Week after arriving with no expectations, so I guess it is rather dangerous to be returning! We had great racing with the RCYC Admiral's team, Bad Company, and we would love another battle with them. We really enjoyed the Irish hospitality and Cork Week delivers the best IRC racing anywhere.

I know that there will be a Cornish contingent coming to race this year. There is an affinity between Cornwall and Ireland given the celtic roots, but also because the scenery is very similar in many ways, there has always a good number of boats from Falmouth that have come to Cork over the years."

1720 Sportsboat

A sizeable fleet of 1720 Sportsboats is expected for Cork Week from Dublin and County Cork based. Sailors from overseas will be joining Irish crews and chartering bareboats boats for their own teams. Jamie McWilliam grew up in Cork but has settled in Hong Kong. This summer McWilliam will be returning to race in the 1720 Class

"For the last few years, the 1720 Class has been having a revival in Ireland and I have been keeping up to date with mates, who tell me the racing is awesome. There is little you can do to optimise the boat, so it is really good one design racing and whilst the size of the fleet has been increasing, so has the strength in depth. For Cork Week, the 1720 Class will have some really great sailors competing and the spirit on and off the water will be superb. 20 years ago, courtesy of Tom Roche and the legendary Noddy, we had the best Cork Week ever and we are looking to wallow in nostalgia in 2014 - but with children this time!"

Cork Week Race Chairman, Anthony O'Leary has confirmed that he will be racing Ker 39, Antix with a very strong Irish team.

"It is very encouraging to see that we will have some excellent yachts and top class sailors coming to enjoy Cork Week but the event has always been about a variety of sailors and yachts, everybody will be made very welcome. The Royal Cork Yacht Club will open its doors to all competitors. As in recent years, Cork Week will serve up a variety of courses both inside and outside the harbour and besides outstanding racing, Cork Week will have a great atmosphere ashore."

The entry fee for Cork Week 2014 will also be reduced by 30%, compared to 2012 and the reduction in racing days and other measures will effectively reduce the overall cost of attending Cork Week by at least 20%.

Entry for Cork Week 2014 can be made via the official website or by contacting the Regatta Office: 00 353 (0)21 4831179

#corkweek – Cork Week 2014 is well underway and the management team has been making plans for Ireland's longest running and 'most prestigious' regatta. The sailing grounds in Cork Harbour and the Atlantic approaches offer a fantastic variety of sailing and that will never change. However, Anthony O'Leary, Racing Chairman for Cork Week, explains that 2014 will see some changes aimed at substantially reducing cost. Download the Notice of Race as a pdf below.

"Competitors can expect a variety of courses set in open water, coastal and in the harbour, which should test the crew handling and get just about every sail out of the bag. We are blessed with some superb sailing grounds and we are intent on making full use of them. The focus for Cork Week is the same as it has always been, great sailing and a fabulous atmosphere ashore.

The Royal Cork Yacht Club has never shied away from listening to sailors and, when possible, changing Cork Week to suit their needs. The resounding message from sailors in 2012 was that the racing is fantastic and the shoreside 'craic' is as good as ever but a major concern has been cost. For Cork Week 2014, the organising committee has addressed areas, that we have control of, to reduce cost for every competing yacht.

For 2014, Cork Week will have a 4 day racing programme running from Tuesday to Friday (8-11 July 2014). This will reduce the previous 5 day regatta programme but not the number of races. At least 10 races will be scheduled for all classes. This change is designed to allow competitors to take less time off work and can reduce their overall costs for Cork Week by as much as 20%

For those who wish to get out on the water earlier, Monday 7th July will be a practice day. The club will organise practice starts and races that will not count towards the overall series - that way competitors that prefer a 5 day programme will not lose out.

In recent years, Two-Handed racing has become increasingly popular all over the world and Cork Week will recognise this by introducing a Two-handed Class for the first time. The Sir Thomas Lipton Cup is one of the Royal Cork Yacht Club's most famous awards. The trophy, dating back to 1900, will be awarded to the best yacht in the Two-handed Class. By its very nature, sailing short handed reduces accommodation and living expenses for a competing yacht.

The 1720 Class has been having a renaissance in Ireland, there are 26 1720s in Cork alone and charter opportunities are available. Cork Week is also talking with other one design classes and we would be delighted to entertain discussions with many more class associations. The management team is also keen to encourage participation by charter companies and corporate entries and plans are in place to offer assistance.

In 2012, we decided to allow professional sailors to race at Cork Week in any of the classes and that will continue. We don't want to put up any barriers to people who want to come and enjoy some wonderful racing.

Cork Week is striving to keep down costs for all competitors, right across the board. We realise the importance of this in the feedback we have received. However, we will make sure that the event is a memorable occasion. We want to continue to produce a unique experience and a memorable occasion for everyone that sails at Cork Week.

The entry fee for Cork Week 2014 will also be reduced by 30%, compared to 2012 and the reduction in racing days and other measures will effectively reduce the overall cost of attending Cork Week by at least 20%.

Entry for Cork Week 2014 can be made via the official website or by contacting the Regatta Office: 00 353 (0)21 4831179

#corkweek – Royal Cork Yacht Club's Rear Admiral John Roche is to Chair Cork Week 2014, scheduled to run from July 5th to 11th next year.

#corkweek – Like a fine seafood platter, Cork Week dishes up a huge variety of courses and today's Harbour Race was the centrepiece of a phenomenal week of racing. The entire international fleet racing at Cork Week enjoyed a scenic race in Cork's historic harbour. The weather may have closed in once again but the myriad of racing boats parading passed Cobh provided a spectacular finale to what has been a very special regatta.

In IRC Zero, Piet Vroon's electric blue Ker 46, Tonnerre de Breskens streaked away right from the start to take line honours by a significant margin. Frank Gerber, mainsheet trimmer, has been a long time member of a solid team and he was quick to praise the boat captain, Matt Trautmann and first mate, Jack Boutelle. "Matt and Jack are the unsung heroes of our success, Tonnerre is immaculately prepared for racing and that means we can concentrate on going the right way and fast. Also tactician Dave Lenz hasn't missed a shift all week and the crew has pulled off every manoeuvre. This is the first big win for us for some time, we came second in the Round Ireland Race and choked on the last day of the RORC IRC Nationals, so it has been fantastic to come here and win, Piet is absolutely over the moon."

The in harbour course rounded off Cork week 2012. Photo: Bob Bateman

In IRC One, Richard Fildes' Abersoch based Corby 37, Impetuous held off a strong challenge from Royal Cork YC member, Conor Phelan racing Ker 37, Jump Juice. "To have a realistic chance of beating Impetuous we needed them to have a bad day and we had a go at them from the start." Explained Conor Phelan. "We did manage to slow them down and we had an excellent first part of the race but Impetuous came back well to hold onto their overall lead and I would like to congratulate them on a fine win."

It was all to play for in IRC 2 with two yachts vying for the class win and the title of 2012 Irish J/109 National Champion. After two legs of the Harbour Race, Hall & McDonell's Dublin based Something Else led the charge but Ian Nagle's Jelly Baby made a decisive move on the beat past Roches Point to gain the upper hand. Royal Cork's Jelly Baby never looked back and won the last race of the regatta to win both the class and the J/109 Irish Championship.

In IRC 3, Tim Cunliffe's Half Tonner, Insatiable won today's Harbour Race to take second overall. The team are all from Cornwall and the vintage half tonner was beautifully restored at the famous Pendennis Shipyard. However, the clear winner of the class was the Royal Cork Yacht Club Admiral, Peter Deasy with his Sunfast 32, Bad Company. Diarmuid Foley's Quarter Tonner, Anchor Challenge was third overall.

In IRC 4, John Twomey's Sonar, Baileen Ban won today's race scoring their fifth win of the regatta. John's next event will be the Paralympic Games in Weymouth and everybody at Cork Week wishes the Kinsale man good luck in the Games. Claridge & Fox's Sigma 33, Excelle scored their fifth podium finish of the regatta to clinch second place just ahead of Finbarr Dorgan's Sonar, No Half Measures.

In the 1720 Class, Robin & Ben O'Mahony took the gun today putting pressure on overall leader Denis Murphy's Aquatack. However, Aquatack managed a third place to hold on to the class win.

In the White Sail Class, Mike Bailey & Andy Roy's vintage Swan 46, Something was a late starter to Cork Week, missing the first day of racing. However, the vintage Swan had a fantastic battle with Dublin skipper Dan O'Neill steering IMX 38, Xerxes. Something won the class title with Xerxes second. Annie O'Sullivan Elan 37, Diamonds are Forever won today's Harbour Race to claim third in IRC. The all girl crew have never sailed as a team before and have been improving their performance as each day has gone by. Their dedication to partying is also most noteworthy, as the Girls for Sail charter team have been the last out of the party tents just about every night!

In White Sail Two, a close encounter between two yachts from the Royal Cork Yacht Club was settled today. Tom McNeice's Minx III came out on top but the Sigma 33 had an epic battle with Conor O'Donovan's X-372 Xtension. Xtension won the last two races of the regatta but it wasn't enough to beat their club rivals and McNeice's team were declared class winners.

Cork Week Racing Chairman, Anthony O'Leary has been racing his Ker 39, Antix all week and narrowly missed out on beating Tonnerre de Breskens in today's Harbour Race by just 25 seconds. " I think that the overall standard of racing this week has been very high, both from the competitors and also the race management team. With the wind mainly in the northwest, setting courses is not easy and for a variety of reasons I think that the race management team have done an excellent job. In difficult conditions, we only lost two races, which is a credit not just to the race officers but also to the entire team, I would also like to add that everybody wishes Martin Stephens a speedy recovery from an injury sustained whilst laying marks at Cork Week."

After tonight's Final Prize Giving, The Papa Zitas will close out the evening entertainment. Recognised as are Ireland's definitive Motown Big Band experience. Their 10-piece outfit will deliver a set of 1960's Motown classics to conclude a memorable and fun filled week.

Results:

IRC0:

1 TONNERRE DE BRESKENS 3 Peter Vroon

2 TOKOLOSHE Michael Bartholomew

3 PENINSULA SIGNAL 8 Jamie McWilliam

IRC1:

1 IMPETUOUS Richard Fildes

2 JUMP JUICE Conor Phelan

3 INGA II FROM SWEDEN Richard Goransson

IRC2:

1 JELLY BABY Ian Nagle & Paul O'Malley

2 SOMETHING ELSE J Hall, S McDonnell & B Hall

3 CHENAPAN Gilles Caminade

IRC3:

1 BAD COMPANY Desmond/Ivers/Deasy

2 INSATIABLE Tim Cunliffe

3 ANCHOR CHALLENGE Diarmuid Foley

IRC4:

1 BAILEEN BAN John Twomey

2 EXCELLE Toby Claridge & J. Fox

3 NO HALF MEASURES Finbarr Dorgan

J109:

1 JELLY BABY Ian Nagle

2 SOMETHING ELSE J Hall, S McDonnell & B Hall

3 JALAPENO Baker et al

1720:

1 AQUATACK Denis Murphy

2 IRL1760 Robin & Ben O'Mahony

3 WAHOO Finbarr Jeffers

IRC Non Spinnaker 1:

1 SOMETHING Mike Bailey & Andy Roy

2 XERXES Dan O'Neill

3 DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER Anne O'Sullivan

IRC Non Spinnaker 2:

1 MINX III Tom NcNeice

2 XTENSION Conor O'Donovan

3 AISLING Bryan Heffernan

#corkweek – The penultimate day of Cork Week will be remembered for some seriously feisty weather, torrential rain overnight continued through the morning and a thick sea fog and a building sea state produced what the Crosshaven locals call 'proper weather'. With 20 knots of breeze and Atlantic swell, Cork Week's Race Committee had the option of racing inside Cork Harbour and took it.

All classes bar IRC Zero and One were set a windward leeward course inside the safe confines of Cork Harbour but the visibility around the Moonduster mark ensured a tight course. Outside the harbour the big boat fleet managed to get one race in before the front drove through to leave a sloppy sea state and no wind, scuppering any chance of a second race today.

In IRC Zero, Piet Vroon's Ker 46, Tonnerre de Breskens proved unstoppable again today, blasting through the surf to score yet another bullet. "I should buy a lottery ticket today!" Admitted mainsheet trimmer, Dave Lenz. "We had excellent breeze down the run and it literally shut down behind us, stopping all of our competition. The phrase rich get richer certainly applied to today's race." Piet Vroon and his team don't even need to race tomorrow's Harbour Course to win the class but Vroon insisted that Tonnerre de Breskens would be racing tomorrow. Michael Bartholomew's Mills 40, Tokoloshe could only score a fifth today but is still second overall, whilst Jamie McWilliam's Ker 40, Peninsula Signal 8 is third.

In IRC One, Richard Fildes' Corby 37, Impetuous won Race 7 to stamp their authority on the class. Conor Phelan's Ker 37, Jump Juice got the better of Richard Goransson's Corby 36, Inga of Sweden today to leapfrog into second place. However, barring a shocker in tomorrow last race, Impetuous look to have won their class.

Getting IRC 2 away for the first race was not easy, there were hooters a plenty as two general recalls resulted in a third re-start with a black flag. Ian Nagle's, J/109 Jelly Baby nailed the pin end and extended in clear air at the top mark to win the first race of the day with Gilles Caminade's French A 35, Chenapan taking second. However, Hall & McDonnell's J/109, Something Else got buried into the pack and scored a lowly ninth. Donal O'Leary's X-35, D-Tox won the second race of the day but the big story in IRC 2 is that Something Else who have led from the start of the regatta have dropped to third place on countback from Chenapan and local Cork boat Jelly Baby are now top of the class. However, Something Else still leads the J/109s for the Irish title by just a point from Jelly Baby.

In IRC 3, Royal Cork's Admiral Peter Deasy with Bad Company has opened up a seven-point lead after scoring two podium finishes today. Tim Cunliffe's Half Tonner, Insatiable has their best day of the regatta. The Cornish team were spotted 'fuelling up' at the Royal Cork Yacht Club bar last night, obviously with the desired effect! However, Diarmuid Foley's Quarter Tonner was out-gunned by the displacement yachts in today's heavier conditions and drops to third. Brian Goggin's Corby 25, Allure finished the day on a high, winning the last race of the day but by just two seconds.

John Twomey's Sonar Baileen Ban has virtually sealed the win in IRC 4 with a second and first place today, but a battle is raging for second place. Finbarr Dorgan's No Half Measures and Claridge and Fox's Sigma 33, Excelle are on equal points and Nyhan & Buwalda's Hunter 707, Outrigger is just a point behind.

The 1720's were racing outside the Harbour today, which was a full on experience. However, some very experienced crews race the pocket rockets and all was well. Denis Murphy's Aquatack won today's race from close rivals Robin & Ben O'Mahony but there was only 7 seconds between them. Aquatack now have a four-point cushion virtually sealing the class win.

Take That, The Prodigy, Vengaboys, MC Hammer and House of Pain are just some of the top 90s bands that won't be on the main stage tonight but Irish tribute band, Smash Hits will. Delivering a high-energy set to a packed crowd that will be looking to stretch some tired limbs after four days of hard racing at Cork Week.

Full results and much more can be found at www.corkweek.ie

Results:

IRC0:

1 TONNERRE DE BRESKENS 3 Peter Vroon

2 TOKOLOSHE Michael Bartholomew

3 PENINSULA SIGNAL 8 Jamie McWilliam

IRC1:

1 IMPETUOUS Richard Fildes

2 JUMP JUICE Conor Phelan

3 INGA II FROM SWEDEN Richard Goransson

IRC2:

1 JELLY BABY Ian Nagle & Paul O'Malley

2 CHENAPAN Gilles Caminade

3 SOMETHING ELSE J Hall, S McDonnell & B Hall

IRC3:

1 BAD COMPANY Desmond/Ivers/Deasy

2 INSATIABLE Tim Cunliffe

3 ANCHOR CHALLENGE Diarmuid Foley

IRC4:

1 BAILEEN BAN John Twomey

2 NO HALF MEASURES Finbarr Dorgan

3 EXCELLE Toby Claridge & J. Fox

J109:

1 SOMETHING ELSE J Hall, S McDonnell & B Hall

2 JELLY BABY Ian Nagle

3 JALAPENO Baker et al

1720:

1 AQUATACK Denis Murphy

2 IRL1760 Robin & Ben O'Mahony

3 WAHOO Finbarr Jeffers

IRC Non Spinnaker 1:

1 SOMETHING Mike Bailey & Andy Roy

2 XERXES Dan O'Neill

3 DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER Anne O'Sullivan

IRC Non Spinnaker 2:

1 MINX III Tom NcNeice

2 XTENSION Conor O'Donovan

3 AISLING Bryan Heffernan