Cork Week 2014

Cork, in Ireland, is home to The Royal Cork Yacht Club, which is generally accepted to be the oldest sailing club in the world.

Its long history dates back to 1720, when it was founded by a great-grandson of one of King Charles II’s courtiers. It received a royal charter from King William IV in 1831. The club plays host to Cork Week, which was inaugurated in 1978 and is Ireland’s largest sailing regatta and a major event on the international sailing calendar. The regatta takes place every two years and Cork Week 2014 will be held from 5th-11th July. This year the official name is Volvo Cork Week 2014, as Volvo, well-known for its investment in sailing events, has chosen to sponsor the regatta for the first time in 2014.

The regatta is based at The Royal Cork Yacht Club’s premises in Crosshaven, a quiet village at the mouth of Cork harbour. A few kilometres upriver lies Drake’s Pool, where Sir Francis Drake successfully hid from the Spanish Armada. Cork Week 2014 will see a range of competitive races taking place on six different courses, along with a wide variety of shore-based entertainment. Complimentary berthing is provided to all competitors who are given assigned placed at the Crosshaven marina.

Racing is provided for IRC classes, Two-Handed classes, White Sail Only classes and One Design classes. The number of race entrants for Cork Week 2014 is expected to be around 400 boats, making for an uncrowded but competitive event. All races take place outside the mouth of Cork Harbour, apart from the Harbour Race, which is sailed on a round-the-cans course in Cork Harbour. Other courses include a Windward/Leeward Course, One-Design Course, Olympic Course, Slalom Course and Trapezoid Course, with different challenges presented each day.

An additional event this year is the new Dinghy Dash for Cash mini-series, which will take place on Sunday, July 6th. This will consist of three races over a triangular course starting and finishing at Camden Fort Meagher via Currabinny Bank. This open event will be limited to 50 dinghies. Monday 7th July is a practice day, and the main regatta races will be held over four days from Tuesday 8th to Friday 11th July. Daily prizes are awarded, with overall class trophies and Prix d’Elegance and Boat of the Week prizes awarded at the close of the event.