Free entry to Volvo Cork Week for 10% of Super Early Bird entries

The 40th anniversary of Volvo Cork Week features a new format, competitors can choose to enter a range of offshore and inshore events © Ingrid Abery / www.ingridabery.com

Volvo Cork Week Chairman, Kieran O'Connell, has confirmed that 10% of Super Early Bird entries for Volvo Cork Week will receive a full refund on their entry fee. The online entry system is now live and entries by noon on December 30th will be eligible for the refund.

The 40th anniversary of Volvo Cork Week features a new format, competitors can choose to enter a range of offshore and inshore events, from just a single day of inshore racing at the Club Regatta, right through challenging offshore racing around the Fastnet Rock, to the full inshore event over five days for the Volvo Cork Week Cup. An international fleet is expected racing under IRC Classes, Coastal IRC Classes, White Sail Only Classes, and Various One Designs.

Volvo Cork Week Cup (16-20 July, 2018)

Since 1978, the Royal Cork Yacht Club has hosted the bi-annual inshore regatta, and there is no change for the 40th anniversary in 2018. Five days of exciting inshore races are scheduled on a variety of courses, including the famous Harbour Race, and followed by variety of tight inshore courses, including windward leeward, trapezoid and slalom. The Volvo Cork Week Cup will be won by the yacht with the best cumulative results. The Kinsale Kettle will be awarded to the "Yacht of the Week".

The Beaufort Cup (16-20 July, 2018)

Navy, Coast Guard, Army, Airforce, Police and Emergency Rescue Services have been approved for participation in the Beaufort Cup. Other Services will also be considered. At least 50% of the crew of any entered yacht must be active members of the Service in whose name the yacht is entered. A maximum of eight races are scheduled over four days, including a 24 hour race around the Fastnet Rock, and inshore racing in Cork Harbour and the Atlantic Approaches. Three English teams have already committed to take on the challenge, and there is interest from France, Northern Ireland, Wales and the United States.A prize giving will be held at the Royal Cork Yacht Club.

Offshore & Wrecks Series for the Royal Cork Cup (16-17 July, 2018)

All yachts with a valid IRC Certificate are eligible. The race around the Fastnet Rock is suitable for boats rated.990 and above. The Wrecks Races are designed for boats rated.989 and below. Yachts will be divided into IRC Classes with their own courses and start times around the wrecks of Lusitania, Astrid, Dunsyre and Glengariff. A prize giving will be held at the Royal Cork Yacht Club. Competitors can also enter inshore events.

Inshore Race Series for the Camden Challenge Cup (19-20 July, 2018)

Two days of inshore racing, starting with a variety of tight inshore courses. A prize giving will be held at the Royal Cork Yacht Club. Competitors can also enter the other events such as the Offshore Series and Club Day Regatta.

Club Regatta Day (21 July, 2018)

A single day of racing with two races scheduled, the Club Regatta is open to all classes with an entry fee from just 45 Euros. A prize giving will be held at the Royal Cork Yacht Club.

"On behalf of the flag officers and members of the Royal Cork Yacht Club, I am delighted to extend a very warm welcome to all competitors and visitors to our club for Volvo Cork Week 2018." commented John Roche, Admiral of the Royal Cork Yacht Club. "We greatly appreciate the continued involvement of our headline sponsors Volvo Car Ireland in partnership with the Johnson and Perrott Motor Group. The very successful Beaufort Cup will form part of Volvo Cork Week again in 2018 and and we look forward to welcoming the Skippers and crews of the Defence Forces and Services from around the world. We are introducing an exciting new format for Volvo Cork Week 2018 and we hope that you enjoy the new experience. "

The Super Early Bird offer for Volvo Cork Week closes at 1200 UTC on Saturday 30 December.

For online entry and more details, including the Notice of Race visit www.corkweek.ie