It only happens every other year and that is probably a good thing, because it takes Crosshaven that long to recover! With less than three months to go, Cork Week 2010, is taking shape with a huge variety of boats and competitors making plans for the regatta. 

The big boat fleet is growing on a daily basis, Cowes based Gray, Laidlaw and Heyward’s Farr 52, Bob is the latest entry over fifty feet. A sound Super Zero Class is expected. The scratch boat at present is Irvine Laidlaw’s Wally 82, Highland Fling, back in Europe after racing in the Caribbean. But several modified TP52s will also be in the running, including Johnny Vincent’s Pace, who took a memorable scalp at the RORC Easter Challenge, beating America’s Cup TEAMORIGIN in one race. Also TP52 Interlodge, owned by Austin Fragomen of New York is making the trip across the Atlantic. 

So far there are no fewer than nineteen J Boats entered for Cork Week. The majority are J /109s competing for their European Championships but when it comes to long deliveries. Neal Martin’s J /133, Jammy Dodger, takes the biscuit.

Neal Martin normally keeps the boat in the Solent but Jammy Dodger is heading for the Norwegian fjords, before heading south to Cork Week. As Neal Martin explains; 

“It is about 2,500 miles of sailing through Kiel, Copenhagen, Gothenburg and onto Norway. On the way back we will race to Shetland from Bergen with about 40 Norwegian boats. After that we will visit the west coast of Scotland before coming to Crosshaven. The crew will alter during the voyage but both myself and my Norwegian girlfriend, Randi. will be in Crosshaven. This will be my sixth Cork Week and we are all really looking forward to it.” 

However, Cork Week has a huge variety of boats and whilst the Gentleman’s Class may not have the high tech gear and elite sailors competing. The seamanship in the class is very apparent. National Yacht Club member, Philip Dilworth, will be racing Grand Soleil 42, Orna. A previous class winner of the Dun Laoghaire to Dingle race and 2008 Cork Week winner, Orna is obviously well sailed. 

Entries are going well and we are pleased with the level of support, however there is room for plenty more and we hope that more yachts and crew will be racing at Cork Week in July and enjoying the hospitality of the Royal Cork Yacht Club and the community at Crosshaven.” Commented Cork Week Chairman, Peter Deasy. 

For more information go to the Cork Week web site: www.corkweek.ie