The West Cork festival of yacht racing kicks off on Saturday, July 30th, when SCORA will start an offshore race from Kinsale to Baltimore at 8 am. This race replaces the traditional overnight one from Crosshaven, which had suffered from declining numbers in the past few years.
The cruiser fleet will be greeted by Baltimore Sailing Club, which hosts the 1720 sportsboat Baltimore Cup and Heir Island Sloop Series in the harbour over the Bank holiday weekend.
Registration for Calves Week 2022 opens on the Bank holiday Monday afternoon at the Fastnet Marine and Outdoor Education Centre in Schull, with the reception at 6 pm.
The vintage 1902 Lady Min will be sailed on her home waters by Simon O'Keefe Photo: Bob Bateman
With the current entry list approaching 70 boats (download the entry list below), event Race Officer Alan Crosbie expects to have up to seven separate fleets racing on various courses using natural and laid marks in the greater Roaring Water Bay area.
Anthony O Leary's national championships winning Cape 31 Antix will be in Schull Photo: Bob Bateman
"the current entry list is approaching 70 boats"
The variety of boats entered extends from the veteran 1902 Lady Min, sailed on her home waters by Simon O Keefe, to Anthony O Leary's and Dan O'Grady's ultra-modern Cape 31 class and a return to West Cork after a long absence of George Radley's Imp after her recent restoration project.
The 1976 Ron Holland 40-footer Imp has been recently restored by Cork Harbour sailor George Radley Photo: Bob Bateman
A top contender in the Zero and One fleet is Brian Jones' J122 Jelly Baby, who will be endeavouring to emulate the previous owners' last year's overall IRC success in the same boat, which was then named Kaya.
Michael O Donnell's J121 Darkwood visits from Cowes Photo: Bob Bateman
However, stiff competition is expected from Michael O Donnell's J121 Darkwood and Paul O'Higgins's JPK 10.80 Rockabill VI, regularly appearing on the Schull winners podium.
Brian Jones' J122 Jelly Baby from Royal Cork Photo: Bob Bateman
The local boat Tighey Boy, a recently acquired J109 sailed by Tony O'Brien, hopes that local knowledge and some imported Australian crew will give him the edge.
John Treanor's Grand Soleil 34 'Justtina' from the National Yacht Club on Dublin Bay
In Class 2, Norbert O Reilly's Ghost Raider will seek to retain the class trophy he won last year in his previous boat Red Cloud.
In contrast, in class 3, Colman Garvey and Kieran Kelleher from RCYC are quietly confident of a good result as they bring their quarter tonner Diamond to Schull for the first time.
Colman Garvey and Kieran Kelleher's Quarter Tonner Diamond Photo: Bob Bateman
Class 4 continues to flourish in Schull with the active support of the local club, and Rob O'Reilly's Bon Journo joins the fleet, hoping to retain the overall trophy.
The top contender in white sail one is expected to be Frank Caul, and John Molloy sailed Prince of Tides fresh from her overall victory in Cork Week, while class 2 usually produces a local winner from the host club fleet.
The four days of racing begin at midday Tuesday, August 2nd, with the popular Fastnet race, which is weather dependent, scheduled for Thursday.
After a two-year covid-related absence, the nightly presentation of prizes and live entertainment returns to the main street of Schull.
Calves Week 2022 Entry List below
