Details of Cork Week 2012, Europe's biggest regatta organised by a single club, were announced today at an event in Cork Harbour Commissioners. Held on a biennial basis at the Royal Cork Yacht Club in Crosshaven, Co. Cork, Cork Week is a Grand Prix sailing event and is renowned, worldwide, for exciting and challenging racing. SCROLL DOWN FOR TODAY'S LAUNCH PHOTOS BY BOB BATEMAN.
Cork Week, which takes place from July 7th to 13th, primarily attracts sailors for the quality of its sailing. Boats from all over the world are expected, and this year, entries have already been received from as far away as South Africa and Hong Kong and it promises to be one of the most competitive events yet with the relaxation of the professional sailor rule. Cork Week 2012 will also host the J109 Irish National Championships following the very successful European Championship at Cork Week 2010.
Royal Cork Admiral Peter Deasy, Cork County Mayor Tim Lombard and Cork Week Chairman Pat Lyons at the Cork Week 2012 launch today in the Port of Cork. More Photos from Bob Bateman below.
However, in addition to top class racing, the fabled on-shore tented village lets all crews interact socially in a fun way which has become one of the main ingredients in the success of Cork Week. The centrepiece of this year's entertainment line up is "Bodega by the Sea" – which sees Cork's Club Bodega setting sail down river, bringing with it a motley crew of Ireland's biggest Bands & DJs. Cork Week will see acts such as Soul Driven, Pontius Pilate & the Naildrivers, The Papa Zittas, Death By Chocolate and some of the country's best-known DJs.
Speaking at the Launch, Cork Week 2012 Event Chair, Pat Lyons, said that the organisers of this year's sailing spectacular see the event as an opportunity to bring a sparkle to the south coast. "Every day we hear tales of doom and gloom and in these times we badly need to grasp every opportunity for a bit of fun", he commented. "Cork Week comes along every two years and offers an occasion to celebrate all that is best about how we can enjoy the wonderful facilities that our environment has placed on our doorstep. In Cork Harbour, we have a world class maritime playground and by bringing together a sailing event of international quality, the Royal Cork provides an opportunity for both sailors and spectators alike to meet old friends, engage in a top class sailing competition, and enjoy the waterside hospitality and entertainment for which Crosshaven is renowned."
More about Cork Week courses in the 2012 Irish sailing preview here. All of Afloat's Cork week 2012 coverage here.
An additional event this year is All Aboard@CorkWeek - Shoreside Family Fun which is all about extending a Cork Week welcome to a whole new group of people: children and families for whom this may be their first visit to Cork Week. Organiser, Máiread Roberts says "we are putting the final touches to a great line-up of activities – getting out in the harbour amongst the boats, having interactive sea creature adventures shore side, maritime workshops and a food fair and market in the Club's Tented Village."
RCYC Admiral Peter Deasy said: "We in the Royal Cork are very confident that the support of the people of Cork and in particular, Crosshaven, will insure that Cork Week 2012 will, once again, prove that people are prepared to enjoy their hard earned leisure time in what has always been one of the best sailing, and fun, regattas in Europe."
Proudly supported by Cork's 96FM and the Irish Examiner, Cork Week 2012 takes place at the Royal Cork Yacht Club, from July 7th to 13th. For more information, including on line entry, visit corkweek.ie
