Chris Hampton's Tango made a flawless start to the Etchells European Championship at Cork Week with three straight race wins on the opening day off Roches Point.
Racing on a windward-leeward course outside Cork Harbour, the international one-design fleet enjoyed steady 12–16-knot conditions, ocean swell and close tactical competition as the continental title got underway.
Three race victories give Tango early control of the championship, although plenty of racing remains before the European title is decided.
Multiple one-design world champion Charlie Cumbley, calling tactics aboard Hampton's Australian-owned Tango, praised both the racing conditions and the Cork Week atmosphere.
"It's really nice to get out of the Solent and come somewhere different," said Cumbley. "I've never been to Cork before, believe it or not, and we've had two really good days on the water."
He described racing outside Cork Harbour as "glamour", despite patches of fog, with ocean swell, 12–16 knots of breeze and fast downwind surfing.
Cumbley also highlighted the appeal of competing within the wider Cork Week regatta.
"It's great to be part of the bigger Cork Week ensemble; you feel part of something a bit more fun, with the band and the whole show ashore."
He praised the race management after three races were completed in stable conditions southeast of Roches Point.
"Today the Race Committee did a nice job. We were tucked away southeast of the harbour entrance, racing through a bit of mist, so there was some old-school navigation: sailing four minutes on one tack, then four minutes on the other, trying to put ourselves where the top mark should be before we could see it."
Cumbley said the breeze remained remarkably consistent throughout the day.
"The breeze was very stable, maybe only an eight-degree range all day, which was a nice change. The guys just cracked on with it, and it was really nice sailing."
Report by Louay Habib
