The recently crowned ICRA Boat of the Year, the Half-Tonner Swuzzlebubble, is confirmed among the early entries for Volvo Cork Week 2024, just one of a number of key campaigns aiming for the biennial race week at Royal Cork Yacht Club next July.
Skipper Dave Dwyer told Afloat that Ireland's top yacht in 2023 will race on her home waters of Cork Harbour in what will be an action-packed IRC season in Ireland.
The dates for Volvo Cork Week 2024 are Monday, 15th July to Friday, 19th July, facilitating boat movements at the weekends before and after.
For those crews looking for even more competition, a number of offshore races are set to arrive in Cork at the ideal time for the event.
'RCYC 2'
An offshore race from Royal Cornwall Yacht Club (Falmouth) to the Royal Cork Yacht Club will start at 1300hrs on Friday, 12th July 2024, providing an ideal way for UK boats to make the crossing in good company while competing for the Cork 300 Trophy, presented to the Royal Cork Yacht Club by HRH Prince Charles in 2020. This fleet is expected to reach Cork Harbour on Saturday afternoon, just as preparations for Cork Week go into overdrive.
Kingstown to Queenstown Race
Aimed at the Irish Sea fleet, this challenging race is also set to finish beneath picturesque Queenstown (now Cobh) on Saturday 13th July, with competitors racing overnight from a start off the mighty piers of Kingstown (now Dun Laoghaire). Forming part of the ISORA race series, some of Ireland’s top offshore yachts are sure to participate.
Top Class Racing at Cork Week
The RS21 class are a new addition to the Volvo Cork Week fleet in 2024, where a fully class-supported charter fleet will provide uniquely accessible and exciting one-design racing. This is hoped to provide an attractive option for international skippers wishing to participate in Cork Week, without the logistical challenge of bringing their own boat. No doubt some more local sailors also will see the attractions of this option. Those wishing to find out more are invited to reach out to Kenny Rumball at the INSS. Email [email protected]
1720 Euros
The 1720 sportsboats docked at Royal Cork Marina for the 2022 Volvo Cork Week Regatta Photo: Bob Bateman
The 1720 class will return to Cork Week for their European Championships in 2024. A central part of the regatta, the competition in this class is as hot as it gets. In 2022, Atara swept all before her, taking home both the 1720 European Championship trophy and the Kinsale Kettle for Volvo Cork Week ‘Boat of the Week’ – will she be back to defend her double title in 2024?
Find out more about the history of this extraordinary trophy below.
Expect plenty of excitement in the keelboat classes too, where Volvo Cork Week brings together a wide variety of racing yachts to compete across multiple classes and racecourses.
Cape 31
Anthony O’Leary's Cape 31 Antix Photo: Bob Bateman
The Cape31 is a no-holds-barred modern race boat and is now the pre-eminent racing class in the Solent. At Volvo Cork Week 2022, Antix, sailed by the RCYC’s Anthony O’Leary, saw off the challenge of visiting Dublin and UK teams to win the inaugural Cape31 Irish Nationals. Will we see a rematch in at Volvo Cork Week 2024?
The ‘Kinsale Kettle’
While the origins of ‘Cork Week date back to 1978, the first big Cork Week was held in 1986 when local brewer Beamish and Crawford came aboard as sponsors, and the ‘Carling European Offshore Team Championship’ was introduced to the event.
The prize offered for the best team at that regatta was the renowned Royal Cork Cup (aka the ‘Kinsale Kettle’ Challenge Cup, previously awarded to the winner of the Kinsale Harbour Regatta).
This splendid trophy dates back to 1859 and has been won by many notable yachts throughout its long history. Indeed, according to RCYC records, the Cork One-Design ‘Sybil’ won it twice in a row.
The Cork Week Carling European Offshore Team Championship was won by a Royal Cork Yacht Club team in 1986. The victorious RCYC team was captained by Stafford Mansfield and comprised Luv Is… (DB1, Stafford Mansfield), Liberty (X-99, Walter Haenel) and Rumkinily (DB1, Stuart Brownlow).
The victorious 1986 Royal Cork team was captained by Stafford Mansfield and comprised Luv Is… (DB1, Stafford Mansfield), Liberty (X-99, Walter Haenel) and Rumkinily (DB1, Stuart Brownlow).
In more recent Cork Weeks, the Kinsale Kettle has been awarded to the best overall performing boat in the regatta.
The Kinsale Kettle
The Notice of Race for Volvo Cork Week 2024 is available to view here.
Enter now to avail of discounted early entry rate.
See the Volvo Cork Week website for a list of accommodation options and related contact details.
