In Cork Week's Notice of Race, Mike McCarthy, Admiral of the Royal Cork Yacht Club gives an address which outlines the response to feedback given to the Club about the last event. Cork Week 2010 will have significant cost reductions to competitors, right across the board. Entry fees and accommodation have been reduced by 20-25%. Early arrivals will stay in the marina free and there are significant reductions in lift out and car park fees for the sailing event.
For those wishing to arrive by ferry, the new Fastnet Line will be open, offering a competitive service from Swansea to a ferry terminal, just a few miles from Crosshaven. The 154 metre vessel will dramatically reduce the travel time to Crosshaven from virtually any part of the UK and can accommodate vehicles, trailers, and smaller yachts in large numbers.
Early expressions of interest have been very promising; a substantial big boat fleet is expected including several Mini Maxis and a number of IRC optimized TP52s. Rolex Fastnet winner, Niklas Zennstrom’s JV72 Rán is expected, as is Sir Peter Ogden’s sleak black Mini Maxi, Jethou. Rolex Middle Sea Race winner, Andy Soriano’s Mills 68, Alegre is a veteran of several Cork Week’s and Karl Kwok’s Farr 80, Beau Geste from Hong Kong would be making their first visit.
“We have already booked our accommodation.” Said Nigel Passmore, owner/ driver of TP52 Apollo. “We will be in Cork with a Plymouth crew and we are looking forward to it immensely; it is a fantastic sailing location and racing against several other TP52s with some great fun in the evenings, what could be better.”
Many of the entries for next year’s Rolex Commodores’ Cup are also expected, including some of the best overseas yachts from Europe and further afield.
For the smaller IRC boats, the fleet is set to be just as competitive, the variety of sailing conditions and courses is a great all round test of the yacht and the crew and the yachts in IRC Two and Three make up a substantial percentage of the sailors racing at Cork Week. The Cork Week committee hopes that the reduction in costs right across the board should be of great benefit to those boats in particular.
“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.” Commented Cork Week Racing Chairman, Anthony O’Leary. “We are blessed with some superb sailing grounds and we are intent on making full use of them for. The focus for Cork Week is the same as it has always been, great sailing and a fabulous atmosphere ashore.”
The management team is also keen to encourage participation by charter companies and corporate entries and plans are in place to offer assistance to ensure that Cork Week is a fun-filled regatta for all.
More on Cork Week 2010 on the Afloat forum here.
Other recent Cork Week 2010 posts here:
