Cork Week - Day 2
by Louay Habib 10 Jul 2012 22:58 BST
7-13 July 2012
There was plenty of drama for the second day of racing at Cork Week. The day
started with a gentle breeze, which built during the day to provide some
electric action and plenty of incidents. With 18 knots of breeze towards the
close of play, crew were hiking to the max and boat handling became a much
bigger issue than the previous day.
In IRC Zero, Piet Vroon’s Ker 46, Tonnerre de Breskens stamped their
authority on the class, scoring two more bullets but it was far from
straight forward, the Dutch flier won both of today’s races on the Trapezoid
Course by just a few seconds.
“The course today was very short, which makes it difficult to make up a time
correction of 5 minutes an hour. I have to say that the two main reasons for
our success today were the excellent way in which the boat is prepared and
how well the crew handle the boat." Explained Vroon. "I first came to
Crosshaven in 1969 and I think the reason that I have been coming back for
all these years is that the natives are so friendly and I have always been
impressed by the high standards of the Royal Cork Yacht Club and this year
is no exception.”
Tonnerre de Breskens is the clear leader in IRC Zero, Michael Bartholomew’s
Mills 40,Tokoloshe scored two podium results today to move up to second with
Kieran Twomey’s local Corby 38, Gloves Off dropping a place to third.
There was plenty of drama in IRC One today, Richard Goransson’s Corby 36,
Inga from Sweden has taken over the class lead but an incident at a top mark
with Scottish entry Mills 40, Crazy Horse, was caught on camera by the Cork
Week TV crew. This may have an effect on the result of Race 4. However, last
night’s leader, Richard Fildes’ Corby 37, Impetuous was called OCS in Race
3, scoring a debilitating 20 points. However, Impetuous came back strongly,
leaping off the start line like a wild salmon, to win the last race of the
day. Royal Cork’s Conor Phelan racing Ker 37, Jump Juice scored well today
to move up to third overall.
IRC Three has a new leader, Diarmuid Foley’s Quarter Tonner, Anchor
Challenge had a great day on the water winning the first race to depose
Royal Cork’s Admiral Peter Deasy, racing Bad Company, from the top of
leaderboard. Crosshaven local, Paul Tingle racing First 31.7, Alpaca
finished the day in fine style with a bullet in Race 3.
“A light and shifty first race but the windward leeward course certainly
suits us better than the Trapezoid course.” Admitted Diarmuid Foley. “Now we
just have to negotiate the hazards ashore after racing but we are Cork boys
so we know our way around the clubhouse!”
In the Non-Spinnaker Class, Dan O'Neill’s IMX 38, Xerxes has scored three
clean bullets. Dan was raised in Annapolis, USA but has lived in Dublin for
over 20 years.
“Xerxes has won many top regattas in the past but a few years back, I
decided to stop racing at that level, mainly due to the cost. Also you need
nine really good sailors but racing with just white sails we only need three
good crew, leaving room on board for good friends who don’t have that much
experience. Racing in this class is a great way to introduce people to the
sport in a safe environment. This week I am sailing with my cousin, who is
visiting Ireland for the first time from Missouri, USA and I can guarantee
you, he is enjoying every moment of Cork Week.
After an energetic day out on the racecourse many of the thousand or so
sailors gathered to celebrate Cork Week may well be in need of a sugar rush.
Tonight blues and rock sensation, Death by Chocolate is ready to provide
one!
Full results and much more can be found at www.corkweek.ie