Cork’s Club Bodega, in association with Cork Week 2012, invites you to the launch of “Bodega by the Sea”, this Friday, May 4th in the Bodega at 8pm.
“Bodega by the Sea” is a collaboration between Cork City’s Club Bodega and the world renowned Cork Week festival, designed to provide some of the country’s best live bands and DJs, combined with the unique atmosphere of Club Bodega, in a setting like no other, over five nights in July, in beautiful Crosshaven.
For this year’s festival Club Bodega are setting sail down river with a motley crew, including the likes of Soul Driven, Smash Hits, Pontious Pilate and the Nail Drivers, as well as some of the country’s top DJs such as Fadd Jnr, Big Daddy Can, Stevie G and many more, with a massive sound and lighting show to bring out the very best in these performers.  This is a first for Cork Week and has not been seen shoreside before!
On Friday next, May 4th, to give you a taste of the summer, we will have the motown musical stylings of “The Papa Zitas”, followed by Dj Fadd Jnr, laying the soundtrack to what promises to be an evening of nautical fun. Refreshments and food will be served in the Tap Room from 8pm and we have 50 passes up for grabs on the night, we hope you can join us.

Cork Week 2012  are pleased to announce their appointment of Slam UK as the official clothing partner. After a successful and enjoyable event in 2010, Cork Week are delighted to have SLAM UK return as a key sponsor.
SLAM UK will be attending Cork Week with a fully stocked store, offering the OFFICIAL Cork Week 2012 Merchandise, and the latest season of SLAM technical and fashion clothing.
The first glimpses of the Cork Week 2012 Official Merchandise range can be viewed on the SLAM UK Facebook page or visit SLAM UK website.
We look forward to welcoming you to the SLAM store during Cork Week 2012, it’s going to be good craic!

The Launch of Cork Week 2012, Europe’s biggest regatta organised by a single club, were announced yesterday [WEDNESDAY 28th MARCH] 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.

Cork Week 2012, 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.

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.”

An additional event this year is AllAboard@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.”

Cork Week 2012 is proudly supported by Cork’s 96FM and the Irish Examiner.

I think the common trend at regattas all over the world or just racing windward/leeward courses has bored people enough at this stage.

I am proud to say that Cork Week has always provided variety and innovation in the race courses laid and hence has helped eliminate any advantage, perceived or otherwise, that certain yacht designs/configurations may have over others were they all to sail a similar course for the entire regatta”.

Register online or call +353 21 483 1179 to enter.

With less than four months to go,competitors are relishing the thought of returning to Crosshaven for Cork Week in July. The Royal Cork, is getting ready for the big event and the club is in great shape, as Cork Week Chairman, Pat Lyons explains:

“The club and our marina are in excellent condition and this was confirmed in February by the award of a 5 Gold Anchor Marina by The Yacht Harbour Association in conjunction with the RYA. The Royal Cork is the first Yacht Club in Ireland to be awarded this prestigious title and it is a fine assessment of the fantastic efforts of all the staff. We are delighted to have been awarded this impressive title prior to Cork Week 2012, so all our competitors can enjoy a top level of facilities and services this July.”

Entries for Cork Week 2012 are gathering pace. Besides a large contingent of Irish boats, many yachts travel from far and wide to Crosshaven for the regatta.

Sailing Logic’s Reflex 38, Tim Thubron will skipper “Visit Malta Puma”, the Hamble based sailor had a great start to the year with a class winning performance in the RORC Caribbean 600.

“Well, Cork Week is one of the biggest events in the yachting calendar and ‘Visit Malta Puma’ had a huge amount of fun last time round. This will be my sixth Cork Week, it’s an occasion I have always looked forward to,” enthused Thubron.

 “The courses are challenging and have great variety including the Harbour Course, which always throws up a few surprises. It’s nice to have a different and equally challenging course everyday, it just makes it a proper regatta really. I am sure we will have some very competitive racing, in 2010 we narrowly missed out on a big class win to ‘Rockabill V’ and this year, we expect some exciting action, not only with Irish boats, but from other countries as well. After racing, the event village is full of old sailing friends and it’s great to catch up and have a pint with those guys and chat about the day’s racing.

Lots of regattas have tag lines but Cork Week really is – run by sailors for sailors – the hospitality from the Yacht Club, local pubs and restaurants, is unmatched. Cork Week is a tribute to the whole community in Crosshaven.”

The J/109 Class will be holding the Irish National Championships at Cork Week, Greg Burgess’ Welsh J/109 “Bluejay” will be back to defend their dramatic last race win in 2010 and a large contingent from Dublin are also expected. Former Irish J/109 Class Captain, John Maybury and skipper of “Joker” has hopes for great occasion.

 “Cork Week was chosen for our National Championship because it is the regatta with the highest profile in our calendar and we hope for a big turn out”, commented John Maybury. “It is important to stress that the event is open to all nationalities, not just the Irish fleet. In 2010 there were 18 J/109s at Cork Week and it would be fantastic to see a similar number this year. We have 15 J/109s that race on a regular basis in Ireland and we hope to have visitors from overseas to swell that number. The racing will be extremely competitive and once ashore, there are a huge variety of facilities. The Royal Cork Yacht Club, the race village, the restaurants and the pubs provide everything from simple fayre to gourmet cuisine, it is going to be an event not to be missed – great racing with a fantastic atmosphere.”

On something of a ‘busman’s holiday’, Gael Pawson, Editor of Yachts & Yachting magazine, will be racing at Cork Week on Neil Thomas’ Prima 38, “Mighty Max 2”, which will be sailing to Cork from Liverpool.

“Cork Week is a fabulous event and I’ve always really enjoyed it but for some reason for the last few years I have been quite busy and I just haven’t managed to fit it in,” said Gael. “This year I just thought I needed to make an extra effort because it’s just been too long without racing in Ireland. In the past I have raced in one design and sportsboats at Cork, so I have never raced on the harbour course. I can’t wait to get back to Crosshaven and finally get the grand tour of Cork Harbour.

What I really like about Cork Week is that there is serious racing with high level people as well as sailors there just for the fun of it. But everybody ashore takes a bit of time to have a giggle; the regatta is a good blend of laughter and serious sailing. One of the strengths of Cork Week is the range of music in the evenings, you can move around and really enjoy the night, not just standing around drinking but you can have a bit of a dance as well, I like that mixture.”

In recent years, the Quarter Tonner Class has enjoyed a renaissance and, as such, a separate class looks likely for Cork Week. Cork Week Racing Chairman, Anthony O’Leary, explains the reason: “We are delighted that Cork Week will be attracting a number of Quarter Tonners but we feel that as these yachts have been extensively optimized, other yachts racing in Class IRC 6 should be treated separately, hence there will be a prize for the best yacht in the class excluding them and another for the best Quarter Tonner.”

Ian Travers from Kinsale has been very much part of the revival of the Quarter Ton Class in Ireland: “I know of at least five other Irish Quarter Tonners that are going to be competing at Cork Week and I wouldn’t miss it for the world. Especially as this year, I will be racing ‘Per Una’. Eamonn Rohan and I bought her and she has great pedigree, pity about the owners!”, joked Ian.

“I would say the local favourite ‘Tiger’ will be the one to beat but all the QTs in Ireland would dearly love to see some of the UK boats come over for the craic. I can assure you they would get a good battle on the water and some lively evening entertainment!”

The first Cork Week took place in 1978 and since then people from across the world return time after time to experience a truly unique regatta. There’s the fantastic variety of courses, the picturesque setting and the legendary shore side entertainment but Cork Week has a sprinkle of magic that can only really be understood by those who come to Crosshaven and enjoy the full hospitality of the Royal Cork Yacht Club.

Cork Week 2012 takes place at the Royal Cork Yacht Club, Crosshaven, Co. Cork from July 7th to 13th.

The Royal Cork becomes the first Yacht Club in Ireland to be awarded this prestigious title. Ratings range from one to five gold anchors and for the Royal Cork to attain the maximum number of anchors on its first assessment is a fantastic achievement by all of the Club staff involved.

The Gold Anchor award scheme is a voluntary assessment programme focused on customer service and providing Quality Assured Berthing for any boat owner. The scheme is designed for the marina consumer by The Yacht Harbour Association with contribution from the RYA. With 23 years experience of Gold Anchor standards, this is a point of reference for all boat owners to make an informed decision on where to berth.

We are delighted to have been awarded this impressive title prior to Cork Week 2012 so as all our competitors can enjoy a top level of facilities and services.

For more information about the Gold Anchor Scheme, visit The Yacht Harbour Association’s website, www.which-marina.com.

It only happens every other year and this July the Royal Cork Yacht Club will host Ireland’s most prestigious regatta. Cork Week has always attracted an international fleet and the 2012 edition of the race is no exception.

From Cape Town, South Africa Mike Bartholomew will be racing at Cork Week with his Mills 40, Tokoloshe. The sleek blue hull has been tremendously successful and was in fine form last year, winning the prestigious Britannia Cup at Cowes week. A previous winner of at the Scottish Series and RORC Easter Challenge, Tokoloshe has a fine racing pedigree and represented South Africa in the 2010 Rolex Commodores’ Cup.

Mike Bartholomew explains why he is returning to Cork Week having missed the 2010 edition.

“At the start of the year, we planned out our season and Cork Week wasn’t going to feature. However, we have changed our plans and will be in Crosshaven in July. The reason behind it is the relaxation of the rules about sailors classed as professionals. Tokoloshe is based in Hamble and most of the crew live in the village and work in the marine industry. None of them are paid to sail on Tokoloshe but because they are classed by ISAF as pros, this caused a major problem when entering Cork Week. I am delighted that the rules have been relaxed because we love coming to Cork Week, fantastic racing and a great atmosphere ashore, it really does tick all the boxes.”

From Breskens, Holland Piet Vroon will be racing his Ker 46, Tonnerre de Breskens. 2010 RORC Yacht of the Year and Overall Round Ireland winner, Tonnerre has been one of the most successful yachts on the international racing circuit. Piet is now in his 80s and knows a thing or two about yacht racing. He has competed in 26 Fastnet Races, as skipper including last year’s record-breaking race. Whilst Piet may well be one of the oldest competitors at Cork Week, his crew is composes of young aspiring sailors but none of them are paid to sail, that is Piet’s way.

“I don’t care much for the huge parties in the event village after racing but the boys love it. I prefer to relax in the evenings and get recharged for the next day’s racing. The race management at Cork Week is first class and the variety of courses is excellent, one big advantage at Cork Week is that, besides the Harbour Course, there is very little tide, which means far better courses than say Cowes Week. I was introduced to Crosshaven by Dennis Doyle many years ago and I have been coming ever since.”

From Hong Kong, Cork Week will be welcoming back one of their prodigal son’s Jamie McWilliam with his brand new Ker 40, Signal 8. The McWilliam family needs no introduction to Cork Week regulars. However, Jamie has lived in Hong Kong for many years and missed out in 2010.

“We plan to bring Signal 8 over to compete in the RORC IRC Nationals in June and we have an extensive programme throughout July with our sights firmly set on the Brewin Dolphin Commodores’ Cup but Cork Week is most definitely a must.

The key ingredients to a successful regatta are great courses and excellent race management. There are other regattas that can match the superb range of courses at Cork Week but in my opinion, nobody does it better than Cork Week. If I was going to give competitors one good tip, it would be get some local knowledge on board. Back in 2000 on Swan 48 Jacobite, we were sailing towards the finish, rock hopping under Weaver’s Point. Keith MacKeown was on board and his house was just yards from the finish line. Keith was lying on the foredeck with his head over the bow as we went in ducking the bricks, it made one hell of a difference to our result.”

From Crosshaven, Ireland Anthony O’Leary from the host club is delighted to be renewing old rivalries at the helm of his Ker 39, Antix.

“It is fantastic to hear that the South African King 40 Tokoloshe is coming to Cork Week and now that Jamie McWilliam will be bringing Signal 8 all the way from Hong Kong as well, it will make for a very competitive division. We three have been both sides of very close results in recent years and it is bound to be a real struggle on the water. Knowing Mike and Jamie, I am sure there will also be plenty of banter at the yacht club after racing!

To win at Cork Week, you have to race consistently well every day; the variety of courses evens out the design differences between the boats. I have no illusions, winning against good opposition is never easy but it makes racing at Cork Week all the more rewarding.”

Tonnerre de Breskens RORC/Tim Wright

Preparations for Cork Week 2012, Ireland’s most prestigious yachting regatta are well underway, the management team has been hard at work with the Notice of Race and other information is now online. 2012 Cork Week Chairman, Pat Lyons is keen to welcome all participants to the event.

“Once again, Cork Week will strive to keep down costs for all competitors, right across the board, we realise the importance of this in the current climate. However, we will make sure that the event is a memorable occasion. Next year’s event will stage the Cork Week Festival, which will be a celebration of Cork’s cultural heritage. Cork has a vibrant and artistic community and the festival will showcase that. We want to make Cork Week a unique experience and this will be expressed through performing arts, local cuisine and exhibitions of the history of the region. You will find bouncy castles and face painting at many events but Cork Week will provide far more than that.”

Early interest

Early expressions of interest have been very promising; a substantial big boat fleet is expected, including several that had a thrilling regatta in 2010. Many of the entries for the 2012 Brewin Dolphin Commodores’ Cup are also expected, including some of the best overseas yachts from Europe and further afield, including a strong team from Hong Kong.

The J/109 Irish National Championship will take place during Cork Week with 20 or more yachts expected from Ireland and overseas. Favourites for the national title include Pat Kelly’s Storm, Irish IRC Boat of the Year and Glenn Cahill’s Joie de Vivre. Paul Heys of J Boats also reports that the new J/111 class will also be well represented with at least six of the new breed debuting in their first major European Regatta.

Reduction in costs

For the smaller IRC boats, the fleet is set to be just as competitive, the variety of sailing conditions and courses is a great all round test of the yacht and the crew and the yachts in IRC Two and Three make up a substantial percentage of the sailors racing at Cork Week. The committee hopes that the reduction in costs right across the board should be of great benefit to those boats in particular.

The 1720 Class has been having a renaissance in Ireland and a large fleet of the exciting yachts, purpose built for the Cork Week courses. There are 26 1720s in Cork alone and others are expected from abroad.

The management team is of Cork Week 2012 are keen to encourage participation by charter companies and corporate entries and plans are in place to offer assistance to ensure that Cork Week is a fun-filled regatta for all.

Entry for Cork Week 2012 can be made via online registration form, by printing a hard copy of the registration form in the Notice of Race from
Cork Week website and sending to Regatta Office or by contacting the Regatta Office on 00 353 (0)21 4831179.

The prizegiving and closing ceremony took place on Friday evening July 16th.  The prizegiving was well attended with lots of weary sailors feeling the effects of a week of great racing, but still ready to party!.

Royal Cork Yacht Club Admiral Paddy McGlade and Event Chairman Peter Deasy thanked the event sponsors, sailors and volunteers for making the Regatta truly memorable.

(Photo) Boat of the Week was awarded to joint winners – Marinerscove.ie and Errislannan.

For full results click here.

To view video footage of the event (final day footage includes prizegiving) – click here.

Date for your diary – Cork Week 2012 will be 7th to 13th July.

(Below) Peter Deasy congratulates Johnny Vincent, owner of Pace on winning the Carroll Cup

(Above) Jump Juice – Winners IRC1

(Below) Visit Malta Puma – 2nd Place IRC 2

(Below) Marinerscove.ie – Winners IRC0 and joint winner of Boat of the Week

(Below) Jammy Dodger owner Neil Martin – Winner of the Sisk Group Corinthian Cup