2024 Volvo Cork Week - Day 1
by Volvo Cork Week 16 Jul 2024 07:01 NZST
15-19 July 2024
Racing action at Volvo Cork Week 2024 kicked off today, Monday 15th July with an international fleet of 114 boats gathered for five days of racing and parties organised by the Royal Cork Yacht Club.
Teams have come from all over Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales, as well as teams from Honk Kong and the United States of America.
The wind at Roches Point for the first start was 12 gusting to 18 knots from the north of east, combined with a lumpy sea state. Mother Nature generously provided a lavish wash-down for the fleet. The weather may have been a load of tripe but the racing was phenomenally close; many races were decided by seconds.
Nicholas Burns' King 40 Blitz scored two bullets and a second to lead IRC Zero after three races. The Blitz crew of eleven have eight sailors from Honk Kong including Nicholas Burns.
"This is the sixth time I have been here and we absolutely love it," commented Burns. "The weather may not have been brilliant today but it's boiling hot in Hong Kong and we have come here to cool down!" laughed Nicholas. "This is my sixth regatta and we come because we have wonderful racing and the atmosphere when we get back to the Club is great, it is a lot of fun."
Leading the 1720 European Championship after three races is Michael O'Sullivan's Dutch Gold from the Kinsale YC. Second is The McBearla's racing Rope Dock Atara under the burgee of Howth YC. Royal Cork's Brian Twomey racing Dark Side is just two points behind in third.
"It's great racing," commented Dutch Gold's Mícheál Ó'Súilleabháin. "This event brings together a lot of good one-design sailors. Getting the boat ready over the last couple of days, the buzz has been building and there is a great social scene in the afternoon with the beers flowing." Dutch Gold is raced by the Ó'Súilleabháin family and friends. "I have my dad and my two sisters on board. Sam Hunt did a great job today on Main and we didn't leave to much out there but it's early days!"
Competitors in The Beaufort Cup started their 24-hour race today from Haulbowline Island, the home of the Irish Naval Service in Cork Harbour. The International Inter Service Sailing Regatta is part of Volvo Cork Week and supported by the Irish Defence Forces.
Teams racing include three entries from the US Patriot Sailing Club, two from the Irish Defences Sailing Club, Crosshaven RNLI, Rosslare RNLI & Cahore Inshore Rescue, and the UK's Royal Navy Sailing Association.
The Beaufort Cup teams set off from Cork Harbour to race around the Fastnet Rock with the early finishers expected back at the Royal Cork YC on Tuesday 16th July. Grand Soleil 40 Nieulargo, skippered by Royal Cork Admiral Annemarie Fegan, leads on the water with 83 miles to go. Nieulargo is racing for the Crosshaven RNLI.
After racing on the first day of Volvo Cork Week, competitors rubbed shoulders in the Event Marquee with complimentary Heineken for the Daily Prize Giving. A live set of rock and pop tunes from Phil Holbird and his band got the marquee buzzing.
See full results here. For more information visit: www.corkweek.ie