The FAQ’s for Volvo Cork Week 2020 are below, 2022 FAQ’s will be developed in time. Feel free to contact us in the meantime.
What is Cork 300?
Cork 300 is a celebration of three centuries of maritime and leisure activity in Cork Harbour, commemorating the 300 years since the founding of the Royal cork Yacht Club in 1720.
Events will take place in key locations around the harbour throughout the year, with Volvo Cork Week 2020 forming the centrepiece of the yacht racing season in July.
How do I enter?
Entry to all the events hosted by the RCYC in July 2020 as part of the Cork 300 celebrations and Volvo Cork Week 2020 is available online at www.corkweek.ie
What is an endorsed IRC rating?
An ‘endorsed’ IRC rating is provided by the IRC rating office subject to some additional measurements and checks on your boat. Contact your relevant rating authority for more information.
What is an ECHO rating?
The ECHO system is a performance-based handicap system administered in Ireland by the Irish Sailing Association and the Irish Cruiser Racing Association. Entry into Cork Week includes the cost of being provided with a 2020 ECHO handicap which can be used for Cork Week and other Irish cruiser racing events.
What is the difference between the IRC Europeans and the ICRA Nationals?
The 2020 IRC Europeans Championships and the 2020 ICRA Nationals will both take place during Cork Week, from the 13th to 17th July 2020.
Volvo Cork Week & ICRA Nationals
The Volvo Cork Week fleet will be split into classes (by rating) and will race using both the IRC and ECHO handicap systems. The classes will race on a mix of course types during the week, both inside and outside of Cork Harbour.
The ICRA Championship will comprise four days of the week (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday) with the general handicap fleets having multiple races per day on courses shared with the IRC European Championship fleet. In contrast, the ICRA ‘Coastal’ class will sail one longer race each day.
On Wednesday, the Cork Week schedule will also provide an exceptional one day event for all handicap fleets not partaking in the long coastal race.
IRC European Championships
The IRC European Championship has stricter eligibility criteria including the requirement for an ‘endorsed’ IRC rating and to undergo a measurement inspection – again, interested competitors should consider the criteria outlined in the official IRC European Championships Notice of Race, available on the Cork Week website. The event race schedule will include a longer coastal/offshore race as well as inshore racing laid courses.
Can I compete in both the Cork Week 2020 & the 2020 IRC European Championships?
Yes, boats and crews meeting the eligibility criteria may compete in both events. Interested competitors should consider the criteria outlined in the official IRC European Championships Notice of Race, available on the Cork Week website.
What type of racing is available at Volvo Cork Week?
Handicap fleets (IRC & ECHO):
General Handicap classes
Competitors will sail on a variety of course types over 5 days, with races being dual-scored under both IRC and ECHO handicap systems. Multiple races per day may be sailed. Racing on the Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday will comprise the ICRA National Championship 2020.
Coastal class
Competitors will sail a single longer race per day, featuring longer legs and offshore marks. Races will be dual-scored under both IRC and ECHO handicap systems.
Non-Spinnaker class
Those racing without spinnakers will sail a variety of course types over 5 days, with races being dual-scored under both IRC and ECHO handicap systems. Multiple races may be sailed per day.
What’s happening on the Wednesday if there’s no ICRA racing?
- If you are a competitor in the IRC Europeans Championship you will be sailing a Long Coastal Race as part of that event
- If you are sailing in the Beaufort Cup, the Dragon Southerns, or the Cork Week Classics event you will have scheduled racing as part of those events.
- All other classes will be competing in a special commemorative event within Cork Harbour
All classes will still be racing on the Wednesday in a one day event as part of Cork Week, to celebrate three centuries of yacht racing in Cork Harbour.
What do the other events taking place in Cork entail?
IRC European Championship
The IRC Europeans fleet is required to meet higher entry criteria (endorsed certs, more safety equipment, lower crew limits) and their 5-day race schedule includes an offshore component.
Classic class
The Classic fleet will sail on dedicated courses for the first three days of Cork Week.
One-Design championships
One-design racing during Volvo Cork Week 2020 will include the 1720 European Championship, the International Dragon South Coast Championship, and the SB20 Southern Championship.
Beaufort Cup
The Beaufort Cup is an international interservice regatta providing the opportunity for uniformed services from around the world to compete in a demanding sailing regatta. Eligible boats are subject to rating limits and at least 50% of each crew must be members of their representative service. See the Beaufort Cup official Notice of Race on the Cork Week website for more details.
What is the ‘Coastal’ class?
The ‘Coastal’ class is a standard element of the ICRA National Championships, where participants enjoy a single longer race per day, generally with longer legs around fixed marks.
What is on offer for classic boats?
A shorter three-day classic boat regatta is planned to take place between July 13th and July 15th 2020 as part of Cork Week 2020. This will give interested boats and skippers the opportunity to participate in the Cork300 celebrations and the initial days of Cork Week, as well as providing time join the Wild Atlantic Cruise or participate in Glandore Classic Regatta or indeed, Cowes Classic Week.
What defines a classic boat?
A reasonable interpretation of a classic will be applied by the organisers. Generally, the intention is to provide dedicated racing for long-keeled yachts of traditional construction with a series design date of before 1970. Interested competitors should contact the organiser to ascertain the eligibility of their yacht in advance of entry.
I am interested in bringing a very large yacht to Cork, who should I contact?
Please contact the event office at the Royal Cork Yacht Club in the first instance, for information on all events in summer 2020 and berthage arrangements for visiting yachts.
What berthage is available for competitors in July?
In normal circumstances, suitable berthage will be provided to competitors – either alongside or an accessible mooring – for the duration of their racing as part of the event entry fee. Please contact the organisers for more detail.
Which handicap class am I in?
Class bands have not yet been set for Cork Week 2020. Bands will be set to ensure boats of similar type and rating race against each other in classes of sufficient size to provide interesting racing. Preliminary class bands will be announced as soon as possible by the OA.
I’m already an ICRA member, what should I do?
Existing ICRA members will already have an ECHO handicap, and are not required to pay a second ICRA membership fee. A code has been provided to ICRA members to avail of this fee reduction.
I’m already an RCYC member, what should I do?
RCYC members should contact the club regarding the discounts available on Cork Week 2020 entry fees.
I’ve entered the wrong class or event, what should I do?
Please contact the organising committee at info@corkweek.ie and explain the situation, and they will arrange for your transfer into your preferred class or event.
What does the entry fee include?
Each boats entry fee provides for:
Race entry for the week
Berthage for the period of racing
Cork Week entertainment for all crewmembers
Access to facilities at the RCYC
ICRA membership and ECHO handicap, if required.
When should I aim to arrive in Crosshaven?
The events of Cork 300 are taking place throughout the summer of 2020, and Crosshaven is the epicentre of these gatherings. Berthing space is at a premium both before and after the Cork Week 2020, so boats should not expect to find space available outside of their racing days.
If you have any queries not covered her please contact us and we will get back to you.
