The race around the Fastnet Rock is confirmed as Thursday's CD Environmental Calves Week fixture as the regatta passes its half stage.
No wind and dense fog in West Cork greeted the 72-competing boats on Wednesday morning in Schull Harbour as sailors faced a three-hour postponement before race two got underway in a startline set outside the harbour.
The Class Zero start of Calves Week race two on Wednesday with the fog still a major factor and visibility down to less than 100 metres Photo: John Kelly
The last of the seven fleets started at 3.45 pm and were still racing at 6.30 pm.
The course for classes Zero and One on day two of Calves Week 2023 off Schull Harbour in West Cork Photo: Maurice O'Connell
Despite the tricky conditions, consistency is paying off overall, with the top of divisions IRC Zero, Two, Three and Four all led by double race winners.
See the provisional results below
A race win for John Treanor's J112E ValenTina gives the National Yacht Club crew the overall lead in IRC Zero from Norbert Reilly's J111 Ghost Raider of Howth Yacht Club. After two wins from two races sailed, the Dun Laoghaire yacht is now two points clear at the top of the Calves Week table. Third is Paul O'Higgin's JPK 10.80 Rockabill VI from the Royal Irish Yacht Club.
(Below) Mainsheet trimmer Adam Winkelmann, driver Nicole Hemeryck and Trimmer Evan O'Connor aboard the IRC Zero leader ValenTina (above) from the National Yacht Club Photos: Bob Bateman and Maurice O'Connell
Leslie Parnell's First 34.7 Black Velvet from the Royal Irish Yacht Club continues to lead IRC One from race two winner and clubmate Bobby Kerr on the J109 Riders On The Storm. Local Tony O'Brien in the J109 Tighey Boy lies third.
Calves Week IRC One leader - Leslie Parnell's First 34.7 Black Velvet from the Royal Irish Yacht Club Photo: Bob Bateman
Two wins from two races maintain David and James Dwyer's top form this season in IRC Two in Swuzzlebubble.
Calves Week IRC Two leader - David and James Dwyer's Half tonner Swuzzlebubble Photo: Bob Bateman
The Royal Cork Half Tonner leads from fellow Half Tonner, Two Farr (Boardman/Kelly/O Leary), who shares the same six points as the Sunfast 32, Bad Company (Desmond/Ivers/Keane) from Royal Cork.
Half Tonner Two Farr (Boardman/Kelly/O Leary) Photo: Bob Bateman
Calves Week 2023 IRC Three leader - Royal Cork's Fiona Young in the Albin Express, North Star Photo: Bob Bateman
In IRC Three, it's a similar scenario at the top of the scoreboard, with Royal Cork's Fiona Young counting two from two in the Albin Express, North Star. Club mates Colman Garvey and Keirin Kelleher are second in the Quarter Tonner, Diamond on four points. Third is Dave Doyle's, Muskateer on seven.
The Radley's Skipper 70 Pat Mustard stays top of IRC Four from Rob O'Reilly's BonJourno! Part Deux with Richard Hanley's Saoirse lying third.
Rob O'Reilly's BonJourno! Part Deux is lying second in Calves Week IRC Four Photo: Bob Bateman
