Written by Alex Barry and Louay Habib.
192 boats took part in the biggest Volvo Cork Week for many years, which incorporated the ICRA National Championships. Teams from Ireland, France, Hong Kong, the United Kingdom, and the United States enjoyed a full five-day programme of racing both inside and outside of Cork Harbour. Established in 1720, the Royal Cork Yacht Club has an enthralling history as the oldest yacht club in the world.
Racing at Volvo Cork Week was held on five different courses for 14 different classes. The 2022 edition of Volvo Cork Week lived up to its billing as a huge celebration of Royal Cork Yacht Club’s signature regatta to celebrate their tricentenary. Close to two thousand sailors took part and the Royal Cork’s clubhouse in Crosshaven was buzzing after racing and into the evening.
Classic Class
The Classics at Volvo Cork Week were a magnificent spectacle racing in picturesque Cork Harbour every day. Five races were organised for nine beautiful boats with superb vistas in White Bay and along the Holy Ground outside Cobh Town. The podium was filled by boats from France, Ireland, and Wales. JJ Ollu’s French classic Bilou-Belle, from the Atlantic YC, has won the Classic Class by just two points from Patrick Dorgan’s Cork Harbour One Design Elsie. Third is Dafydd Hughes’ Welsh S&S 34 Bendigedig, which also won the Prince of Wales 300th Anniversary Trophy.
“I have been here twice before, I thought why not come back and party and see how we get on, and the Prince of Wales Trophy is going to Wales!” commented Dafydd Hughes. “If the weather systems allow me, I will be racing Bendigedig around the world in the 2023 Global Solo Challenge. ”
Dragon Class
A blaze of Dragons raced at Volvo Cork Week with entries from Kinsale YC, Royal St. George YC, Royal Irish YC, and Glandore Harbour YC. Races were held on the Windward Leeward Course off Roaches Point. Cameron Good’s Little Fella from Kinsale YC scored three race wins in a huge variety of conditions to win the Dragon Class. Peter Bowring’s Phantom from the Royal St. George led after the second day but finished the six race series as runner up. Daniel Murphy’s Whisper from Kinsale YC is third by just a point from Phantom.