The fickle breeze was from the southeast but barely rose above ten knots for yesterday’s racing in Cork. Starts are always important but especially in light wind. Getting into clear air and not stalling the boat are paramount.

IRC Super Zero
Johnny Vincent’s Pace continued to impress. The crew won both of the day’s races by a comfortable margin. “After a couple of minor errors early on, we sailed well today. It was a good team effort and we got off the line really well which is always important. I do enjoy coming to Cork Week. It has a very different atmosphere to some of the regattas that I compete in and there has always been a lot of laughs in Crosshaven” commented Robinson after racing.

Pace is out in front after four races, Gray, Laidlaw’s Farr 52, Bob, jumps up to second after a great day out. Stephane Neve’s French TP52, Paprec Recyclage, drops to third.

IRC Zero
Bernard Lambilliotte’s Swan 45, Nemo of Cowes, continued their impressive form, stretching out their lead in a class containing some red hot boats, bound for next month’s Rolex Commodores’ Cup. “We are delighted with our results, so far,” commented main sheet trimmer, Sam Richmond. “Getting into clear air has been pretty much vital. The boats behind us on the water have been mixing it up, slowing each other down a bit. We have a great crew on board but so have the other boats and we are taking nothing for granted.”

Nemo of Cowes are now nine points clear at the top. Dave Dwyer’s Marinerscove.ie had a much better day and is now second with Bernard Gouy’s Ker 39, Inis Mor, helmed by the yacht’s designer Jason Ker, moving up to third.

IRC One
The second race of the day provided the closest finish in any class on Day Two of Cork Week. The top four boats finished within 30 seconds of each other, after corrected time. This morning four boats were tied at the top; Conor Phelan’s Ker 37, Jump Juice is now just a point in front of Richard Fildes’ Corby 37, Impetuous with Robert Davies Corby 36, Roxy 6 lying third.

IRC Two
Paul O’Higgins’ Corby 33, Rockabill V scored two wins today on the Slalom Course, rocketing them to the top of the class and pushing Sailing Logic’s Reflex 38, Visit Malta Puma, into second place. Barry Cunningham’s Corby 33, Contango lies in third.

IRC Three
John Moorehead and Chris Ferres’ J 35, Bengal Magic scored their third consecutive win of the regatta during today’s Harbour race. John and Chris have been coming to Cork Week for the last ten years. “It is a great fun regatta and a lot less stuffy then some,” commented John Moorehead enjoying a pint in the Heineken Bar. “The crew on Bengal Magic come from Bangor, Wales and Kerry in Ireland and we are all good friends enjoying a fine place to come and sail. The Harbour course had very light winds today, so we planned to get clear of the opposition, we got a good start especially as two boats near us decided to have a bit of a match which left the way clear for us. Ringabella Bay was a decisive part of the race. A lot of boats parked up there but we had plenty of room and the leading boats got away from the rest and extend our lead.”

Co-owner of Bengal Magic, Chris Ferres explains why they love coming to Cork Week. “Back home in Bangor we don’t get fleets as big or as competitive as we do here. So we come to Cork Week to enjoy excellent racing but we enjoy the occasion just as much ashore, it is great that everybody is together, enjoying a few drinks after sailing.”

In IRC Three, Bengal Magic are the overnight leaders with Ross McDonald’s X 332, Equinox second and Dermot Cronin’s J 35, Mumbo in third. These three boats are pulling away from the rest of the 22 strong fleet.

For all class results, visit www.corkweek.ie