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The largest Calves Week fleet since Schull's Centenary Regatta will assemble in West Cork next week as more than 80 boats and an expected 600 sailors converge on Schull for four days of racing.

The August Bank Holiday regatta has attracted one of the strongest fleets in Ireland this season, with leading IRC performers from around the country joined by a large local contingent. For the first time, ORC will be scored alongside IRC and ECHO for Classes Zero, One and Two, creating an additional storyline as owners compare the performance of the two handicap systems.

"This year's entry is not only the largest since the Schull Centenary Regatta, it is also the strongest line-up of the top racing boats in the country across most of the fleets," organiser Michael Murphy told Afloat.

Atlantic Stage – Yachts spread across Roaringwater Bay during Calves Week racing off Schull. More than 80 boats are expected to contest this year's regatta as Ireland's leading IRC and ORC crews converge on West Cork. Photo: Bob Bateman

ORC results will be provided for 28 competitors in Classes Zero, One and Two, with an overall ORC prize also on offer. Sean Norris will administer the results using wind data from the Sherkin Island weather station.

Murphy said the volume of late entries delayed publication of the class bands, particularly in the closely matched Class Three fleet.

All fleets, including White Sail, will continue to race under IRC and ECHO.

Class Zero Ready for a Three-Way Battle

If one class captures the anticipation surrounding this year's regatta, it is undoubtedly Class Zero.

The headline contest is expected to involve defending champion John Treanor in his new NMD 43 CrisTina, Frank Whelan's Ker 43 El Syd and Paul O'Higgins' Rockabill VI.

Treanor admits his new boat is still very much a work in progress despite steady improvements during the season.

"So far we have found it challenging getting the boat up to its optimal performance," he told Afloat.

"It is a very complex boat with lots of controls that need constant adjustment and we haven't yet learnt how to get them all working together. We are definitely improving but still a long way from where we need to be."

Yet expectations remain high for another memorable week in West Cork.

"The same as always – an excellent programme of races in one of the most beautiful race locations in Europe combined with a very laid-back après sail on the main street in Schull.

"It is a real credit to Schull Harbour Sailing Club that they manage to host an event of this size and quality with very limited resources."

Treanor believes El Syd starts the week with the strongest recent form.

New Challenge – John Treanor's new NMD 43 Cris Tina heads to Schull seeking to defend the Class Zero title against El Syd and Rockabill VI. Photo: Bob Bateman

"Historically it has always been Rockabill, but given that they only launched the boat last week they may not be in full race tune yet. So we see El Syd as our biggest challenge in this year's edition."

Rockabill VI returns to Schull after only recently being launched for the season, and skipper Paul O'Higgins is taking a measured approach to expectations.

"We're fine, subject to the fact that we'll probably remember all of the things you realise you've forgotten to put on board for the first two weeks of the season, which it is for us," he told Afloat.

Despite the late start, O'Higgins is looking forward to getting back on the racecourse.

"Lots of fun. Do the best we can."

Late Charge – Paul O'Higgins' Rockabill VI returns to Calves Week after a delayed start to the season and is expected to renew its long-standing rivalry with El Syd and Cris Tina in Class Zero. Photo: Bob Bateman

Having yet to race against any of his Class Zero rivals this season, he is taking nothing for granted.

"We've sailed against none of our class this season, and never against some of them, so everyone."

Professional sailor Mark Mansfield believes El Syd arrives in Schull as the benchmark after an outstanding summer that culminated in overall IRC honours at the ICRA National Championships.

Mansfield also expects Rockabill VI to become progressively quicker as the week develops, making Class Zero one of the most closely fought divisions of the regatta.

Benchmark Boat – Frank Whelan's Ker 43 El Syd heads to Schull as one of the favourites for Class Zero after a standout season that included overall honours at the ICRA National Championships. Photo: Bob Bateman

Boat to Beat: El Syd

Class One Depth Makes Prediction Difficult

Fresh from victory at Cork Week, Barry Cunningham's J109 Chimaera heads to Schull carrying plenty of momentum.

However, Cunningham believes the fleet is too evenly matched for any complacency.

Crew Focus – Barry Cunningham helms Chimaera, which arrives in Schull on the back of Cork Week success and starts among the favourites for Class One honours. Photo: Bob Bateman

"The boat is in good shape after Cork Week. We haven't sailed it since," he told Afloat.

"It's had a little holiday in Crosshaven for the past few weeks so should be well rested for Calves Week!"

Like many competitors, Cunningham says Calves Week is about much more than silverware.

"Our expectations are first and foremost to have fun and enjoy the craic and banter, with the added benefit of good competitive racing in one of the most beautiful locations for a regatta in Ireland."

The six-strong J/109 contingent is expected to dominate the class, but it is far from a one-boat contest.

Tiger Hunt – Defending Calves Week Class One champion, the J109 Tighey Boy returns to Schull to face a formidable J/109 fleet headed by Cork Week winner Chimaera. Photo: Bob Bateman

"Our class will have 12–13 boats, including five or six J/109s, all with a lot of experience onboard and capable of winning.

"We are very much looking forward to some very competitive and exciting sailing for the week ahead."

Mansfield agrees that the J/109 battle could prove one of the highlights of the week, with Cork Week winner Chimaera facing defending Calves Week champion Tighey Boy, Storm, Artful Dodger and several experienced crews capable of taking race wins.

Boat to Beat: Chimaera

Four time Olympian Mansfield believes the strength of this year's fleet extends well beyond the headline acts.

With almost 60 IRC entries, he says Calves Week has assembled an IRC fleet comparable in size to Cork Week's spinnaker divisions, with particularly competitive racing expected right through the handicap bands.

Half Tonners and Quarter Tonners Add Depth

While the spotlight inevitably falls on Class Zero and the J/109s in Class One, Mansfield believes the middle handicap fleets could produce some of the week's closest racing.

Half Ton Hope – James Dwyer's Swuzzlebubble heads to Schull after an impressive Cork Week campaign and will be among the leading contenders in the highly competitive Class Two fleet. Photo: Bob Bateman

Class Two sees the return of the highly competitive Half Ton fleet, where Cork Week winner Swuzzlebubble arrives in form but faces determined challenges from Miss Whiplash, Black Velvet and several proven campaigners.

The Half Tonners have enjoyed something of a renaissance in recent seasons, and Mansfield expects the close rating band to produce racing measured in seconds rather than minutes.

Boat to Beat: Swuzzlebubble

Class Three promises another fascinating contest, with the Quarter Tonners expected to feature prominently alongside a strong contingent of local boats.

The delayed publication of the class bands reflected the volume of late entries, particularly from Schull crews, ensuring another highly competitive fleet.

Defending champions Illegal return knowing they will have little margin for error against rivals including Tuco and several boats that know Roaringwater Bay intimately.

Boat to Beat: Illegal

Defending Honour – Coleman Garvey and Kiernan Kelleher's Illegal returns to Schull aiming to defend its Class Three title against another strong Quarter Ton fleet. Photo: Bob Bateman

Local knowledge has traditionally played a significant role in the smaller handicap divisions, and Class Four again looks wide open.

The combination of varied boat types, closely matched handicaps and local expertise should ensure another week of unpredictable racing.

Local Hope – Schull boat BonJourNo!! will be among the fancied contenders in Class Four, where local knowledge could prove decisive over four days of racing. Photo: Bob Bateman

Boat to Beat: BonJourno Part Deux

ORC Brings a New Dimension

One of the biggest talking points ahead of this year's regatta is the introduction of official ORC scoring for Classes Zero, One and Two.

While IRC remains the principal championship, 28 competitors have elected to race under ORC as well, with an additional overall prize on offer.

ORC Ireland's John Kelly, who will be in Schull for the event, believes Calves Week provides an ideal opportunity for owners to compare how the two systems perform over a variety of race courses and weather conditions.

"I would expect much tighter deltas between boats, especially the 'pimped' Half Tonners versus others in Class Two," Kelly told Afloat.

He also believes Class Zero could produce a very different outcome under ORC.

"I would expect different winners versus IRC in Class Zero," he said.

However, Kelly believes the greatest benefit extends beyond the final results.

"Most importantly, competitors would see how their rating and results differ in different weather conditions and points of sailing."

His comments underline one of the most intriguing aspects of this year's regatta. Boats that dominate under IRC may not necessarily enjoy the same advantage under ORC, adding another layer of interest throughout the week.

Fleet Away – The fleet gets under way off Schull as competitors begin another Calves Week campaign. More than 80 boats are expected to contest this year's regatta across IRC, ORC and ECHO. Photo: Bob Bateman

Local Knowledge Counts

Even the sailmakers expect tactics and local knowledge to prove decisive over four days of racing.

Sailmaker Maurice O'Connell of North Sails Ireland believes success could come down to making the right sail choices at the right time.

"Racing in Calves Week can have relatively long legs at specific wind angles, so getting the sail decisions and their timing correct is important," he told Afloat.

Barry Hayes of UK Sailmakers, who is a Schull local, says the opening minutes of each race are equally important.

"Getting a clean start is key, especially in the harbour, as the Graveyard gust always makes it tricky," he said.

"Also, staying on the south side of Long Island in a south-westerly sea breeze is usually a winner because you have more pressure on the starboard gybe."

A Farewell for Alan Crosbie

This year's regatta also marks the final Calves Week for Principal Race Officer Alan Crosbie, who has confirmed his retirement after many years at the helm of race management.

Crosbie has become one of the defining figures of the regatta, overseeing racing through every type of Atlantic weather while maintaining Calves Week's reputation for fair, varied and challenging courses.

"He has promised spectacular courses to whet the appetite of the expected 600 sailors who will converge on Schull for the week," organiser Michael Murphy said.

His farewell provides an added moment of significance for an event already notable for its record entry and the introduction of official ORC competition.

Race Ready – Principal Race Officer Alan Crosbie (yellow cap) prepares to oversee his final Calves Week after many years directing racing in Schull. More than 80 boats and an expected 600 sailors will compete. Photo: Bob Bateman

A Regatta That Continues to Stand Apart

While many handicap events have faced challenges in maintaining fleet numbers, Calves Week continues to draw sailors from across Ireland through its unique blend of first-class racing and an unrivalled social atmosphere.

For Treanor, Cunningham and hundreds of other sailors, that combination remains as compelling as ever.

Whether honours are decided under IRC, ORC or ECHO, one thing appears certain: Schull is set for one of its biggest and most competitive Calves Weeks in decades.

Silverware Awaits – The Calves Week trophies await the winners after four days of racing, with competitors chasing IRC, ECHO and, this year, ORC honours. Photo: Bob Bateman

Calves Week 2026 Class Bands at July 29th

Class allocations as published on 29 July 2026. Competitors should consult the Calves Week official noticeboard for subsequent amendments.