Cork Week has always attracted the big boats and this year is no exception. The Super Zero Class is expected to be a competition of seven. The TP52 Pace was at Cork Week in 2008, and since Johnny Vincent took charge the British based crew has been in cracking form; impressing at the RORC Easter Challenge and the Vice Admiral’s Cup. From the East Coast of the USA, Austin Fragomen has brought over Interlodge, the ultra-modern TP52 designed by Judel Vrojlik has been optimized for IRC and should match Pace, for pace. Several other TP52s are racing including Silver Surfer, debuting and Cork Week with an international line-up.

Richard Matthews Humphreys 42, Oystercatcher XXVI scooped up the class trophy for IRC Zero in 2008 and was a contender for boat of the week. Matthews has shipped the boat over from the Caribbean after a very competitive season. Amongst the well drilled crew is Crosshaven’s own, Eddie English. Anthony O’Leary’s Ker 39, Antix is in great form, winning class at the ICRA Nationals in May. However, IRC Zero is brimming with talent. Piet Vroon’s Ker 46Tonnerre de Breskens is Crosshaven bound. Dave Dwyer’s Mills 39, Marinerscove.ie is a proven winning race boat and Bernard Gouy’s Ker 39, Inis Mor is over from France along with Jac Pelletier’s Landmark 43, Qualiconsult. To be honest, this is probably the most competitive class at Cork Week and the bookies would have this one going to the wire.

The week also plays host to the J boat and 17 one designs are entered. Racing is bound to be tight and expect some raised voices with crews hiking hard, jostling for position. In a no discard series, consistency is at an optimum and it is almost impossible to pick out the favourites but of the UK boats, Robin Taunt’s Jibe has a wealth of experience and Brian Morton’s Juke Box was well placed in 2008. Of the Irish entries, Ian Nagle and Paul O’Malley’s Jelly Baby had an excellent ICRA Nationals in Dublin and John Maybury’s Joker II was the top Irish J/109 at Cork Week 2008.

Paul Kirwan’s Sigma 38, Errislannan was one of the early entries. In 2008 they won the Sigma 38 Europeans at Cork Week and they are back to defend their title. From bow to stern, Errislannan is very much a family boat and they are up against some top opposition from the UK. The Sigma 38 Europeans is once again staged at Cork Week 2010.

A host of Corby Yachts are entered prompting Cowes designer, John Corby to put up some champagne prizes. Corby designed yachts competing include; Robert Davies, brand new Corby 36, Roxy 6 which will be representing Ireland in the forthcoming Rolex Commodores’ Cup. In all over a dozen boats are expected to be racing at Cork Week, tuning up for the country versus country, pro-am event in August.

For more information, visit www.corkweek.ie