Interest is already growing among racing sailors for Cork Week, Ireland’s most prestigious regatta which will host the J/109 Irish National Championship.

A fleet of 20 yachts from Ireland, UK and overseas is expected, confirmed J Boats, Paul Heys. ‘J Boats has just completed an excellent London Boat Show and we can definitely see a resurgence in demand for J Boats right across the range. The J/109 Irish National Championship has always been a very popular event and we expect a good turn out for Cork Week. The J/70 design is going from strength to strength, with over 600 boats sold in America and Europe.’

South African Mike Bartholomew’s Mills 40, Tokoloshe was runner up to Piet Vroon’s Dutch Ker 46, Tonnerre de Breskens in 2012 and hopes to return to Cork Week with his new GP42, Tokoloshe. ‘The new Tokoloshe needs quite a few modification to get it competitive for IRC and we are working on that now,’ said Mike. Capable of surfing at over 20 knots, the all carbon flyer will revel in the Cork Week courses on the Atlantic Approaches and Tokoloshe may not be alone.

Hamble UK based, High Performance Charter, has similar yachts available to charter for Cork Week.’Cork Week provides well run races in perfect conditions for fast light displacement race boats. High Performance Charter has a range of yachts available including GP42, Ker 40 and Mills 43,’ said Bryan Davies.

Tim Cunliffe’s Cornish Half Tonner, Insatiable will be returning to Cork Week after coming runner up in IRC Three last time out. Tim explains why the crew from Falmouth will be coming back, proudly flying the Royal Cornwall YC burgee.

‘First and foremost, in 2012 we had a successful Cork Week after arriving with no expectations, so I guess it is rather dangerous to be returning! We had great racing with the RCYC Admiral’s team, Bad Company, and we would love another battle with them. We really enjoyed the Irish hospitality and Cork Week delivers the best IRC racing anywhere,’ said Tim.

A sizeable fleet of 1720 Sportsboats is expected for Cork Week from Dublin and County Cork based. Sailors from overseas will be joining Irish crews and chartering bareboats boats for their own teams. Jamie McWilliam grew up in Cork but has settled in Hong Kong. This summer McWilliam will be returning to race in the 1720 Class

Cork Week Race Chairman, Anthony O’Leary has confirmed that he will be racing Ker 39, Antix with a very strong Irish team.

The entry fee for Cork Week 2014 will also be reduced by 30%, compared to 2012 and the reduction in racing days and other measures will effectively reduce the overall cost of attending Cork Week by at least 20%.
Entry for Cork Week 2014 can be made via the official website or by contacting the Regatta Office: 00 353 (0)21 4831179
For more information: www.corkweek.ie