After today's Volvo Cork Week Harbour Race, the 100–boat fleet is poised to crown its Cork Week and IRC European champions tomorrow.
One hundreds yachts, of all shapes and sizes, graced Cork Harbour on the fourth day of Cork Week. The weather lived up to the spectacular location with bright sunshine bathing the course for most of the day. Tony Langley's TP52 Gladiator romped around the course in under two hours to take line honours but after time correction Eric De Turckiem's Teasing Machine was the winner of IRC Zero. Towards the end of the race, fresh breeze favoured the smaller yachts, and the overall results after IRC correction favoured the pocket rockets.
Eric De Turckiem's Teasing Machine was the winner of IRC Zero Photo: Bob Bateman
Richard Matthews' H39 Oystercatcher XXXI. Photo: Bob Bateman
Charlie Frieze Scottish team, racing Mills 36 Prime Suspect, was the overall winner, their rivals in IRC One, Richard Matthews' H39 Oystercatcher XXXI was second overall and John Swan's Half Tonner Harmony from the Howth YC was third.
“We got a good start which was crucial in such a big fleet, clear air on the short beat and room at the top mark was the early goal.” commented Charlie Frieze. “Once we were inside the harbour we were able to run a symmetrical spinnaker in the light air, whilst others had to sail greater distances to keep their asymmetric spinnakers filled. In the later part of the race the breeze built, which helped us punch through the negative tide.”
Prime Suspect will be awarded the coveted Hugh Coveney Trophy on Friday at the Final Prize Giving. Richard Matthews' Oystercatcher XXXI was second overall and John Swan's Harmony was third.
In IRC Three, John Swan's Half Tonner Harmony was the winner. Photo: Bob Bateman
Robert McConnell's A35 Fools Gold took line honours in IRC Two, one minute ahead of Richard Goodbody's J/109 White Mischief after time correction. Pat Kelly's J/109 Rush was third by just ten seconds.
In IRC Three, John Swan's Half Tonner Harmony was the winner. The team from Howth are now firm favourites to win IRC Three having won six out of eight races. For the Harbour Race, Paul & Deirdre Tingle's Alpaca was second and Patrick Farcy's Cavok was third.
In IRC Coastal One, Sheila & James Tyrrell's Aquelina from Arklow was second by just seven seconds Photo: Bob Bateman
In IRC Four, Paul Gibbons' Royal Cork team, racing Quarter Tonner Anchor Challenge posted their sixth win of the regatta by a comfortable margin from the Under 25 Howth team, racing J/24 Ireland's Eye Kilcullen. Andrew & Cheissie Laming's team from the St. Mawes Sailing Club in Cornwall was third.
George Sisk's Farr 42 Wow was third in the Harbour race Photo: Bob Bateman
The winner of The Harbour Race for Coastal Fleet One was Nick Ogden's Ulula. Sheila & James Tyrrell's Aquelina was second by just seven seconds. George Sisk's Farr 42 Wow was third for the Harbour race but retains the class lead. Martin Breen's Dehler 37 Port of Galway is dominating the Coastal Fleet 2 Class, scoring their third win today.
The inaugural ISA Try Sailing Invitational is part of Volvo Cork Week. The initiative aims at introducing as many people as possible to the joys of sailing. Racing in 1720 sports boats, the teams enjoyed the atmosphere and adrenalin rush of The Harbour Race.
“To think that a few months ago, none of these people had ever sailed a boat before, they have come a long way.” commented Voxpro's Donal Hegarty, winner of the Harbour Race. “Sailing is a great way to get people together and our company is also using the initaitive to raise money for charity. The new sailors showed how far they had come today, the chat was about tide and shifts and for them to come and race at one of the world's best know regattas, had them star gazing.”
Racing at Volvo Cork Week, incorporating the IRC European Championship, concludes tomorrow with up to three races scheduled. Tomorrow night the first IRC European Champion will be crowned.
Cork Week Harbour Race Photo Gallery
Cork Week reporter Louay Habib
