För många klasser…

Om ni läste om skärgårdskryssarregeln, så gnälldes det redan för 100 år sedan på att “det är för många klasser”.

Min tes är att flera klasser är bättre! Senaste exemplet i raden är Cork Week som i år räknar med 500 båtar (bland andra Rambler, JV66 Numbers, Moneypenny och kanske Roesbud). Så här ser deras upplägg ut:

• Gentlemans Class – This is for those who wish to race without Spinnakers, Gennakers or Cruising Chutes. We expect circa 60 boats in this division and the class may be further split to keep numbers in the 20-30 boats per class.
• IRC Class(es) – We expect up to 12 divisions with circa 30 boats per class. As always we intend keeping the bands tight to ensure good close racing.
• 1720 Class – Indications are we should have circa 20 boats and the class have decided to sail on all courses during the week, ensuring plently of variety.
• SB3 Class – We are told by the class to expect up to 60 boats.
• TP52 – Currently 5 TP’s entered and will race under IRC for the Carroll Challenge Cup, another few would be nice.
• IRC Zero – A great line up of US Boats attending including three new STP 65’s plus the new ‘Numbers’ and ‘Rambler’
• Farr 45 – Last time we had 11 of these boats hopefully the same again would be great.
• X-35 Class – This class are having their UK Nationals at our event, so we expect in excess of 15 boats. The class will sail all courses during the week so will benefit from the variety of a courses.
• X-332 – This class are having their Championship of Great Britain & Ireland so we are expecting 15 boats.
• Hunter 707 – This class is expecting to return in strong numbers again.
• Beneteau 31.7 – We are hoping here for over 10 boats
• Sigma 38 – Strong presense expected of this popular class again
• J109 – This class is having its Irish Nationals and is expecting over 20 boats
• Corporate Class – This class is for Sailing Schools and Charter Boats who have one Group 3 sailor onboard and Boat Dealers who wish to sail with customers. One Group 3 Sailor is allowed per boat in this class.

Dessutom kör man lite innovativa banor…

A unique aspect of racing at Cork Week, aside from the steady diet of black liquid once back ashore, is the variety of the race courses. “We don’t have weather, but what we do have is variety,” says Meagher. There are six courses, classes sailing a different course each day. In 2006 one of the windward-leewards was replaced by a trapezoid. This year the coastal race is out. “That has been trouble for many years, because of the length of legs, the breeze always goes because it is further out to sea. So I’ve got ride of that.” In its place will be a slalom course that Meagher says will put a premium on boat handling with a lot of reaching legs. “It will be along the lines of the old America’s Cup Z-course. You could have a spinnaker reach on one or an A-sail reach on another.”

So now the variety of courses will include on in the harbour, a windward-leeward, a modified Olypmic course, the trapezoid and the slalom.