Thursday, March 29, 2012
Millions of euro are expected to be spent by visitors who will arrive in Cork in July to watch what is regarded as one of the world’s premier sailing events.
Up to 200 racing yachts are expected to take part in Cork Week, which is hosted on a biennial basis by the Royal Cork Yacht Club in Crosshaven.
This year’s festival, which will be staged between July 7 and 13, will have a distinctive family-fun feel to it.
Traditionally the festival was a sailors’ event, but the organisers now want to make it more inclusive.
An additional event this year is “All Aboard@CorkWeek” which features shoreside entertainment for all the family.
“It’s 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 the event,” said organiser Máiread Roberts.
“We are putting the final touches to a great line-up of activities such as 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.”
Speaking yesterday at the launch of the event, which is supported by the Irish Examiner, its chairman Pat Lyons said Cork harbour is a world-class maritime playground.
“The Royal Cork [Yacht Club] 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,” Mr Lyons said.
Boats have already signed up for the event from as far away as South Africa and Hong Kong. Cork Week 2012 will also host the J109 Irish National Championships following the very successful European Championship at Cork Week 2010.
Donal McClement, who co-founded the event in 1985, said well-known sailor Richard Matthews would be among the competitors taking part.
“Richard, the ex-owner of Oyster Marine, is currently chartering Imp which won the Fastnet race in 1977 and which was designed by Cork’s Ron Holland.
“If you ask anybody in the international sailing community about the top three events in the world Cork will always feature,” Mr McClement said.
The centrepiece of this year’s entertainment line up is “Bodega by the Sea” — which sees Cork s club The Bodega setting sail down river, bringing with it a crew of Ireland’s biggest bands and& DJs.
Acts such as Soul Driven, Pontius Pilate & the Naildrivers, The Papa Zittas, Death By Chocolate and some of the country’s best-known DJs will provide the entertainment.