Cork Week pics (Day 2). Different weather to-day! Grey, dull and misty, a great contrast to yesterday's sunshine but Bob Bateman's action from day two is captured HERE!

There are only a few weeks to the close of entries at this year’s Rolex Commodores’ Cup and Ireland's team is building up speed at Cork week this morning, using the home event as a warm up for August. Whilst most teams have finalized their boats and crews, others are still engaged in discussions to determine their line-ups. For all teams, both settled and prospective, certain things are set in stone. Most importantly there must be three boats, one in each of the stipulated rating bands, and, all teams must be on the starting grid for the first race on Sunday, 15 August. At present, organisers’, the Royal Ocean Racing Club are expecting 11 teams representing France, Ireland, Hong Kong, South Africa and the United Kingdom to contest the international trophy. The shaping field looks to be as competitive as ever. The sea battles that have been fought in recent weeks off the coasts of France and Ireland, and, of course, on the event venue waters of the Solent suggest that a no quarter given epic is in the making. Neutrals, with an eye for the outsider, are likely to follow the progress of the South African team over the course of the Rolex Commodores’ Cup. 2010 marks the first time a team from the world’s second largest continent has participated. As with Hong Kong’s presence in 2008, for this to happen a number of stars have had to be in alignment. According to Mike Bartholomew, skipper of the team’s Class 2 yacht, the King 40 Tokoloshe, “it was Eddie Warden Owen from the RORC who actually suggested to Rick Nankin and myself that we should consider putting a South African team together.

The whole thing really just grew from there. We approached two others we knew well, Phil Gutschi and Rick Garratt, to see if they could join the party. Both were enthusiastic from the word go.” Gutschi owns the Landmark 43, Windpower, to be skippered by Nankin in Class 1, and Garratt has chartered the J-109, Zelda, to be skippered by Dave Hudson in Class 3.  

The second catalyst, in Bartholomew’s opinion, has been having a South African owned yacht (Tokoloshe) eligible for the Rolex Commodores’ Cup sailing in the Solent for the past two years, “previously it would have been too much of an ask to put a team together and, in any event, there were not any really competitive boats in South Africa.” Bartholomew is being modest about Tokoloshe’s sailing. She has not just been competing, but has proved a force to be reckoned with in recent months, going head to head with some success against other Rolex Commodores’ Cup contenders on the Solent circuit. The vast majority of the crews will be South African, easily meeting the strict eligibility criteria for the event, “most of the individuals are from Cape Town.

Even Phil, who is from Port Elizabeth, keeps his boat there. The main exceptions are the navigators, Andrew Cape on Windpower and Rick Oswald on Zelda, and, of course, some of the regulars on Tokoloshe.” Experience is essential for a good result at the Rolex Commodores’ Cup. Not necessarily just time on the waters of the venue, but in competing over a tight, but demanding series. Bartholomew is unconcerned by this aspect, “there is a fair amount of experience in the crews most of whom have had international exposure. Phil has campaigned a number of boats over the years. His skipper Rick Nankin is probably by far the most experienced South African in the mix. But Rick Garratt still remembers the good times of the 1995 Admirals Cup. He will have aboard Mark Sadler, the skipper of Shosholoza the South African entry in the previous Americas Cup.” All three boats will be in UK waters by Cowes Week and will use that regatta as a final serious warm-up. One final element in the list of irresistible forces was the involvement of the Race Ahead project. David Hudson and his brother Roger have been part of the sailing scene for almost all their lives, and, both are very successful sailors in their own right. In 2008 they created 'Race Ahead', a project aimed at giving South Africa's young sailing talent a structured route into the international sailing world.

The project has allowed young South Africans to compete in the highly competitive Laser SB3 circuit in the UK and Ireland. The effort has not been without reward: a top 10 overall finish at Cowes Week; followed by a class win at Cork Week and a second overall at the inaugural Laser SB3 World Championship in Dublin. For Garrett to have access to this pool of talent was a major motivating factor in his participation. Just like Hong Kong, the South African team is not just coming along for the ride. Bartholomew is succinct on this point, “we will try to win.” The 2010 Rolex Commodores' Cup will be held off Cowes, Isle of Wight, from 15 to 21 August.  Nationality At least 50%... of the crew of each boat on board in any race shall comprise individuals who are Nationals of the country of the relevant team or individuals who have had since 1 August 2009 had their principal residence in that country or individuals who were born in that country. Further information about the Rolex Commodores' Cup may be found at: www.rorc.org

Aerial and on the water shots from Day one of Cork Week by Afloat's Bob Bateman are HERE!

Cork week's Class Zero reads like a who’s who of high performance racer-cruisers who start the biennial regatta in the morning. Dave Dwyer’s Mills 39, Marinerscove.ie is the in form boat, having been crowned us overall winner at last month’s RORC IRC National Championship, world class tactician, Andy Beadsworth is the lynchpin of the team. Anthony O’Leary’s Ker 39, Antix is brimming with talent and some of Ireland’s best Corinthian sailors on board. French sister ship, Inis Mor owned by Bernard Gouy is a proven competitor, a near winner of June's Round Ireland race and a frequent visitor to Cork Week. Mike Williamson’s King 40, White Heat has America’s Cup sailor, Simon Shaw at the back of the boat. All of these Class Zero boats will be competing in next month’s Rolex Commodores’ Cup. Richard Matthews’ Humphreys 42, Oystercatcher XXVI is the reigning class champion for Cork Week and will be tough to beat. Designer Tom Humphreys is on board, as is local legend Eddie English. Class Zero is looking like developing into a battle royale.

Competitors from all over the world have arrived in Crosshaven for the biggest sailing event in Ireland for 2010. The marina is buzzing with accents from Australia, Belgium, Canada, England, Fiji, France, Holland, Ireland, Isle of Man, New Zealand, Scotland, South Africa, United States and Wales.

Tomorrow marks the start of racing for Cork Week and by early evening the regatta village will be a frenzy of activity, as thousands of competitors enjoy the full hospitality of the Royal Cork Yacht Club.

In Class Super Zero, there is the mouth-watering prospect of an international line up of turbo-charged TP52 ripping up the race course. Stephane Neve’s French TP52, Paprec Recyclage has Sebastian Destremau calling tactics, who has sailed with Russell Coutts and Paul Cayard. Austin Fragomen’s American TP52, Interlodge has an all-star cast including, Olympic Star sailor, at Crosshaven resident, Peter O’Leary. Johnny Vincent’s British TP52, Pace has the highly experienced big boat sailor, Jeremy Robinson in the afterguard and Volvo Ocean winner, Guy Salter running the pit.

Cork Week plays host to the J/109 European Championship and there will be 18 one design boats racing in tight formation at the regatta. Andy Budgen is racing on Stalker, the Scot has won the Laser 5000 UK Nationals, 49er UK Nationals and placed second in the 49er Worlds. Ian Nagle & Paul O'Malley’s Jelly Baby, John Maybury’s Joker II and Brian Morton’s Juke Box are amongst the fancied boats to lift the European title but Ken Grant’s Scottish based, Tigh Soluis were second in 2008 and will be a potent threat.  

Class One has a huge variety of yachts, ranging from Lloyds of London’s Swan 53, Lutine to Robert Davies’ Corby 36, Mustang Sally. Conor Phelan’s Ker 37, Jump Juice is always hard to beat. Two A 40s go head to head, with Michel Peretie’s Stamina III locking horns with Paul Andersen’s Fujitsu and Sailing Logic’s two Reflex 38s, Jaguar Logic and Visit Malta Puma will be vying for top spot.

In Class Two, Paul O'Higgins’ Corby 33, Rockabill V is a proven winner and is one of three boats in the class from Cowes yacht designer John Corby. No less than four Reflex 38s will be battling it out on the water. Including Sailing West, skippered by Graeme Johnson. Wouter Borghijs’ Belgian A 35, Tontin is also a well-fancied boat.

John Moorehead & Chris Ferres, J 35, Bengal Magic is back to defend the Class Three title. ISA measurer, Martin Darrer’s Projection 35, True Penance is a local boat that should feature, Darrer also races J 80s, on the match racing circuit. Strata 6 from Suffolk, England is entered by the East Anglian Sea School and is one of many schools that will be racing at Cork Week.

Class Four is the battle ground for the Sigma 38 European Championships. Defending champion is National Yacht Club’s Patrick Kirwan, helming Errislannan. There will be stiff competition from UK based boats including; Nigel Goodhew’s Persephone of London and Chris & Vanessa Choules’ With Alacrity. Including the Sigma 38 fleet, Class Four has eighteen entries including First 31.7 Alpaca owned by Royal Cork members, Paul & Deirdre Tingle and Michael Wallace’s X 332, Felix, with past Ireland and British Lion Rugby international, Paul Wallace amongst the crew.

Class 5 has previous Cork Week winner, Brian Cusack’s Half Tonner, Dick Dastardly in the mix. They are likely to be racing in the same water as four Corby 25s; Ronan Lyden’s Aurora, Vincent O'Shea’s Yanks $ ffranks, Fergan Noonan & Robert Chamber’s Impetuous and Denis Coleman’s Thunderbird.

Class Six includes James O'Brien, Kenefick & Kenefick’s Quarter Tonner, Tiger and the highly experienced J 24 exponent Flor O'Driscoll, helming Hard on Port. Tiger beat Hard on Port at the recent ICRA Nationals and it is highly likely that these two will feature at the top of the leader board. This is the most diverse class of boats at Cork Week, with fifteen different yacht designs mixing it up on the water.

For the first time at Cork Week, the sportsboat classes will raced on all of the courses, rather than just windward leeward. New Zealand’s Ben Duncan helming Sharkbait is the boat to beat in the SB3s. In the 1720s, Bryan Hasset’s Darkside counts son David amongst his crew. David Hasset has represented Ireland in the Rolex Commodores’ Cup and was Commercial Director at Green Dragon for the 2008-09 Volvo Ocean Race. Malcolm Thorpe’s King Louie is back racing in the class, after several years of absence.

There are two White sail classes at Cork Week with a total of 43 boats competing without spinnakers. National Yacht Club member, Philip Dilworth, will be racing Grand Soleil 42, Orna. A previous class winner of the Dun Laoghaire to Dingle race, 2008 Cork Week winner and class winner at the recent ICRA Nationals. Tom McNeice’s Sigma 33, Minx III is back to defend their class title from 2008. The combined class of White Sail boats is the largest at Cork Week.

Racing starts on Monday 12th July for all classes. Weather forecasts are predicting a light airs start but several low-pressure systems are being monitored as they cross the Atlantic. Later in the week, the 16th edition of Cork Week could well provide a wild ride for over 220 yachts competing at the regatta.

Irish Olympic Star sailor and Cork harbour local Peter O'Leary was on board the American TP52  Interlodge for a gentle warm up in Cork Harbour this afternoon and Afloat went with him. From the East Coast of the USA, Austin Fragomen is sailing this ultra-modern TP52 designed by Judel Vrojlik.  The boat has been optimized for IRC and is one of eight entries d in the regatta's super zero class. Racing starts in the morning. Bob Bateman's photos over the fold:

A yacht bound for Cork Week regatta sought assistance from the emergency services tonight when their vessel ran into difficulties eight miles east of Ballycotton Bay in East Cork.  The yacht was sailing from Arklow to Cork Harbour to attend next week's Royal Cork regatta at Crosshaven. Ballycotton lifeboat station was contacted and requested to launch. They reached the yacht with four people on board at 17:50 and established a tow. Sea conditions in the area were unpleasant with the wind blowing F6 / F7. The Irish registered yacht was towed to Ballycotton harbour and safely secured alongside the pier wall but it has not been named by the Ballycotton lifeboat.

More than 2000 sailors are descending on Crosshaven for Cork Week writes Louay Habib. They will race in fourteen different classes over a variety of courses ranging from the complex harbour course to the fast Trapezoid Course in Atlantic swell. The Royal Cork Yacht Club is bristling with rigs, as competing boats, arriving from overseas, mingle with local boats. Visit Malta Puma, the race sailing school Reflex 38, arrived on Thursday night, having taken two and half days delivering the boat from the Hamble, near Southampton.

'We had a fantastic trip across the Irish Sea." Commented skipper Tim Thubron. "The delivery crew were a great bunch and I think we all thoroughly enjoyed the sail over as we had plenty of decent breeze. We are really looking forward to some competitive action on the water, I have been to Cork Week many times and it is a superb place to race. In fact we have already done a bit of boat on boat racing already; we came over with two other Reflex 38s and had a bit of a competition to make it to Crosshaven. We celebrated our safe arrival with an excellent meal at the Royal Cork Yacht Club.

Part of Visit Malta Puma's crew were father and daughter, Ekkehart and Jess Staufenberg who come from Norwich, on the East coast of England.

"I do a fair bit of dinghy sailing on the Norfolk Broads but this was my first time sailing offshore." Explained Jess. "It was a fantastic experience, something I will always remember. Before we left I was really hoping to see dolphins and sixty miles off Land's End, my wish came true, a pod of twelve came up around the boat; it was a really magical moment."

Racing at Cork Week starts on Monday 12th July and concludes on 16th July. Each evening the tented village will host live music, besides being a wonderful place to sail, Cork Week is also a great place to party!

The British yacht 'Bob', co-owned by Tony Hayward, the troubled chief executive of BP, is to race in Cork Week regatta in Crosshaven from July 10. Although some UK Press reports say Hayward will not be onboard Bob for the Irish regatta his name appears on the Royal Cork Yacht Club entry list with co-owners Sam Laidlaw and Rob Gray.

The yacht hit headlines around the world when it was reported Hayward took a weekend off dealing with the enormous oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico to sail the Round the Island Race in the Solent. His entry at the regatta stoked anger at the oil company as it was claimed it insulted those affected by the slick. President Obama's chief of staff, said that Hayward had committed yet another in a "long line of PR gaffes" and he was roundly vilified for the decision.

Although talk that sailing numbers are down is a persistent theme in 2010, Cork Week has always attracted the big boats and Crosshaven organisers say this year is no exception. The Super Zero Class is expected to be a competition between seven magnificent hi-tech flyers. The turboed TP52, Pace was at Cork Week 2008 and since Johnny Vincent took charge, the British based crew has been in cracking form; impressing at the RORC Easter Challenge and the Vice Admiral's Cup. From the East Coast of the USA, Austin Fragomen has brought over Interlodge, the ultra-modern TP52 designed by Judel Vrojlik has been optimized for IRC and should match Pace, for pace. Several other TP52s are racing including Silver Surfer, debuting and Cork Week with an international line-up.

Richard Matthews Humphreys 42, Oystercatcher XXVI scooped up the class trophy for IRC Zero in 2008 and was a contender for boat of the week. Matthews has shipped the boat over from the Caribbean after a very competitive season. Amongst the well drilled crew is Crosshaven's own, Eddie English. Anthony O'Leary's Ker 39, Antix is in great form, winning class at the ICRA Nationals in May. However, IRC Zero is brimming with talent. Piet Vroon's Ker 46Tonnerre de Breskens is Crosshaven bound. Dave Dwyer's Mills 39, Marinerscove.ie is a proven winning race boat and Bernard Gouy's Ker 39, Inis Mor is over from France along with Jac Pelletier's Landmark 43, Qualiconsult. To be honest, this is probably the most competitive class at Cork Week and the bookies would have this one going to the wire.

Heart of the action: The Crosshaven venue for next month's Cork Week. Photo: Bob Bateman

Cork Week plays host to the J/109 Europeans and 17 one designs are entered with many from the UK. Racing is bound to be tight and expect some raised voices with crews hiking hard, jostling for position, especially at mark roundings. In a no discard series, consistency is at an optimum and it is almost impossible to pick out the favourites but of the UK boats, Robin Taunt's Jibe has a wealth of experience and Brian Morton's Juke Box was well placed in 2008. Of the Irish entries, Ian Nagle and Paul O'Malley's Jelly Baby had an excellent ICRA Nationals in Dublin and John Maybury's Joker II was the top Irish J/109 at Cork Week 2008.

Paul Kirwan's Sigma 38, Errislannan was one of the early entries. In 2008 they won the Sigma 38 Europeans at Cork Week and they are back to defend their title. From bow to stern, Errislannan is very much a family boat and they are up against some top opposition from the UK. The Sigma 38 Europeans is once again staged at Cork Week 2010.

A host of Corby Yachts are entered prompting Cowes designer, John Corby to put up some champagne prizes. Corby designed yachts competing include; Robert Davies, brand new Corby 36, Roxy 6 which will be representing Ireland in the forthcoming Rolex Commodores' Cup. In all over a dozen boats are expected to be racing at Cork Week, tuning up for the country versus country, pro-am event in August.

Cork Week attracts a huge variety of boats from all over the world and whilst the Gentleman's Class may not have the high tech gear and elite sailors competing. The seamanship in the class is very apparent. National Yacht Club member, Philip Dilworth, will be racing Grand Soleil 42, Orna. A previous class winner of the Dun Laoghaire to Dingle race, 2008 Cork Week winner and class winner at the recent ICRA Nationals, Orna is obviously well sailed.

Of course sailors go to Cork Week to compete but also they come from far and wide to have fun and enjoy the occasion. Like a great party, taking a spin on the dance floor is an excellent way to end the evening!

Crosshaven throws on quite a pageant and the local community really gets involved which gives the regatta a great atmosphere, the 'tented village' is buzzing with life. Many other regattas do not have the evening activities all in one place, Cork Week does and the 'session' to be had is more memorable by the fact that everybody is there; you keep bumping into people and having just one more.

There are a variety of tents to suit but one of the great concepts for Cork Week is the abundance of music, something that visitors really enjoy. Screaming your head off to Bon Jovi or sing along to a ballad with your mates or loved one, are truly memorable moments.