With over 35 confirmed entries August's Schull Harbour Hotel sponsored Calves Week Regatta is expected to be close to its 70 boat cut off prior to the early entry discount date of the 1st July.
Major changes ashore this year will see the opening reception and nightly prizegiving moved to the Harbour hotel function room.
The popular apres sailing music on the street will start earlier from 4.30 pm to 6.30 pm finishing in time to allow the prizegiving begin in the hotel at 7 pm
The Principal Race Officer is again the experienced locally based Alan Crosbie, who has promised a wide variety of courses using both natural and laid marks off the Schull islands.
John Treanor's J112e Valentina from the National Yacht Club in Dun Laoghaire Harbour returns to Schull, West Cork for Calves Week Regatta 2024 Photo: Afloat
In Class Zero, John Treanor's J112 Valentina is set to defend last year's title while fending off stiff competition from Norbert Reilly's J111, Ghost Raider and Paul O'Higgins' Rockabill VI.
Norbert Reilly's J111, Ghost Raider from Howth Yacht Club is a Calves Week Regatta regular in West Cork Photo: Afloat
In Class One, Leslie Parnell's Black Velvet will again do battle with fellow Royal Irish J109 competitor Riders on the Storm, sailed by Bobby Kerr.
Leslie Parnell's First 34.7 Black Velvet from the Royal Irish Yacht Club in action during the 2023 Calves Week Regatta Photo: Bob Bateman
In Class Two, David and James Dwyer’s all conquering Swuzzlebubble will be looking forward to keen competition from fellow Half Tonner 2 Farr from Baltimore Sailing Club.
David and James Dwyer’s Half Tonner Swuzzlebubble Photo: Afloat
Half Tonner 2 Farr from Baltimore Sailing Club Photo: Afloat
In Class Three, local Schull boat Manzanita promises to be a dark horse following a major winter refit by the Duggan family, while Rob O'Reilly's Bonjourno Part Deux will be the one to beat in Class 4.
Rob O'Reilly's Bonjourno Part Deux Photo: Bob Bateman
The Duggan family's Manzanita competing in the 2023 Cavles Week Regatta
The two largest fleets are again expected to be White Sail 1 and 2, with Kieran O'Brien's Magnet hoping to again get the better of fellow Royal Cork boat, Frank Caul's Prince of Tides.
In WS 2 the two beautifully restored old ladies: the 1898 Jap from the RCYC and locally based 1902 Lady Min from the host club will again add to the elegance of West Cork's annual regatta highlight.
Lady Min from Schull Harbour Sailing Club and below competing in Calves Week 2023 Regatta against Jap (C4) Photos: Bob Bateman
