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#ClubCorkCruise – Club Med 2 called to Cobh today where passengers from the impressive five-masted cruiseship visited the town's charming hillside location overlooking Cork Harbour and regional attractions, writes Jehan Ashmore.

The 14,000 tonnes ship completed in 1992 had sailed from the Isle of Scilly is operated by Club Med which was founded by Gérard Blitz who was a pioneer of the all-inclusive holiday company in 1950.

At 187m long the vessel with computer-controlled masts has a sail-surface area totalling 2,000sq, a ship of her appearance demonstrates a distinctive alternative and appeal to conventional cruiseships.

Tucked in between the second and third masts is the ship's slender funnel. At the top, uptakes are split in two and angled to deflect the fumes away from the masts above the eight-deck vessel.

Asides the usual passenger facilities, are sporting pursuits ranging from sailing, snorkelling, water-ski and windsurfing which are provided from the 'nautical hall' of the vessel located at the stern.

Accommodation are in cabins designed by Sophie Jacqmin, all with sea views for her 372 passengers who are looked after by 200 crew members.

The following cabin categories on board the French flagged vessel are designated as follows, Club Cabins, Deluxe Cabins or Suites, including Shipowners Suites which are located towards the bow of the vessel.

This teatime, the Club Med 2 is scheduled to depart, so what cruise-caller is next to call alongside the dedicated cruise berth. To find out check, the Port of Cork's website, by clicking HERE.

 

Published in Cruise Liners

Esailing & Virtual Sailing information

The concept of e-sailing, or virtual sailing, is based on a computer game sailing challenge that has been around for more than a decade.

The research and development of software over this time means its popularity has taken off to the extent that it has now become a part of the sailing seascape and now allows people to take an 'active part' in some of the most famous regattas across the world such as the Vendée Globe, Route du Rhum, Sydney Hobart, Volvo Ocean Race, America’s Cup and some Olympic venues too, all from the comfort of their armchair.

The most popular model is the 'eSailing World Championship'. It is an annual esports competition, first held in 2018 and officially recognised by World Sailing, the sports governing body.

The eSailing World Championship is a yearly competition for virtual sailors competing on the Virtual Regatta Inshore game.

The contract to run the event was given to a private company, Virtual Regatta that had amassed tens of thousands of sailors playing offshore sailing routing game following major offshore races in real-time.

In April 2020, the company says on its website that it has 35,000 active players and 500,000 regattas sailed.

Virtual Regatta started in 2010 as a small team of passionate designers, engineers, and entrepreneurs gathered around the idea that virtual sailing sports games can mix with real races and real skippers.