Regatta Formats: What the other guys are doing

The bi-annual Volvo Cork Week, hosted by Royal Cork Yacht Club, has been run by the world’s oldest yacht club since 1978. An estimated two thousand sailors, friends and family, from all over the world, will be visiting the regatta during the week-long event on July 5-11, 2014.

“It’s the showcase event for the club and it only happens every other year,” enthused Gavin Deane, General Manager of the Royal Cork Yacht Club.

Volvo Cork Week Race Chairman Anthony O’Leary reports on the race courses for 2014…

“We will have Harbour, Slalom, Olympic and Windward Leeward courses. The major change will be an overall prize for the Harbour Course, which all teams will race on the first day of Volvo Cork Week.

“The result of the Harbour Race will count towards the overall standing for the regatta but in addition the Hugh Coveney Trophy will be awarded to the ‘Champion of Cork Harbour’ – the overall winner on corrected time of the Volvo Cork Week 2014 Harbour Race.

“Previously this trophy was awarded for the best performance by an Irish Yacht in the regatta, but the organising committee felt a more inclusive award would have greater appeal, and thereby give appropriate recognition to the best performance in what has become the favourite race for many of our competitors.”

Non-Spinnaker, Coastal and Two-Handed fleets
This year at Volvo Cork Week, the number of yachts racing in the popular Non-Spinnaker Class will be complimented by the all-new Coastal and Two-Handed fleets, which are proving to be very popular at all major regattas across Europe. The race organisers have specifically designed courses to suit the needs of the Non-Spinnaker fleet, unlike previous years when they have been confined to sailing courses designed for spinnaker boats.

The coastal courses will allow boats that would normally be out classed or out crewed by some of the more modern and high performance boats, to race against like-minded sailors. This will provide a more relaxed environment, without taking away from the quality of the racing and lay a great foundation for some two handed sailing in the all-new two-handed class.

This year, along with the huge drop in the entry fee, Volvo Cork Week will also be holding a draw on the Monday night exclusively for non-spinnaker/coastal course boats. The first prize is a full refund of their entry fee and the second prize will be a bottle of wine for each member of the crew.

Event website: www.corkweek.ie