An interesting boat to watch out for this week is Flirt, a new Corby 50. This IRC boat was launched just one month ago in time for the IRC nationals – a tune up for Cork Week, the boat’s first major regatta.

As well her racy lines, which are likely to cause a few heads to turn out on the race course, there’s no shortage of crew talent on board including the likes of local hot shot Harold Cudmore as tactician, John Swain (trimmer aboard Tyco one of the Volvo Ocean Race boats), and Neil Mackley from North Sails who’ll be playing the genoa. Mackley, who’ll be keeping an eye on the performance of the sails during the regatta is optimistic about the boat’s performance and thinks that if the light conditions hold out, they’ll really give their closest rivals in the IRM class, a good run for their money. Mackley commented just before the start of the first race this morning: “She’s in her early stages of life but she’s already showing promising signs to be a competitive boat in a very tough fleet. We’ll know more about her performance in about two hour’s time when we’re halfway up the first beat!”

But it’s not going to be all plain sailing for Flirt who has the likes of Bear of Britain, Kit Hobday’s Farr 52 which has just qualified as part of the British team for this year’s Commordores’ Cup, Mandrake (Mills 50), Team Tonic (Farr 52) and Chernikeeff 2 (Farr 52 owned by Peter Harrision).

For more information and news from Ford Cork Week click here.