Great boost for Cork as Disney on water to feature

Sailing Column: A financial injection is on the cards for the Cork region this summer as interest in the biennial Cork Week has caught the imagination of the world's maxi yacht fleet. A single Z86 class entry is estimated to spend a minimum of €100,000 over a 10-day period including the race week.

Californian Roy Disney, nephew of the film-making giant, has confirmed Pyewacket's entry for the week according to Donal McClement of Crosshaven boatyard and several other well-known racing boats have been in contact.

A second Z86 is "more than probable" as Hasso Platner's Morning Glory is at an advanced stage of preparations to enter the week. Just one or two high profile entries is enough to encourage the other large racing yachts.

It is understood that Mike Slade's Leopard and Charles Dunstone's Carphone Warehouse have made inquiries. Nevertheless, attracting such high-profile entries is a substantial task and could be easier with more support services and advance planning according to McClement.

"These boats plan two to three years in advance but we're extremely lucky that Roy Disney has a great grá for Ireland," he told The Irish Times this week.

Already, one of the maxis has booked 120 bed nights in addition to renting three houses bringing the accommodation cost to over €30,000. "My estimate is that a Maxi Z86 will spend in excess of €100,000 per boat in Ireland and in addition to shipping and other transport costs," said McClement.

The public perception that sailing is for the wealthy can be revised when such boats are willing to come to this country with the attendant economic benefits. "We have a world-class brand in Cork Week. Just ask any experienced international sailor anywhere in the world and they'll include Cork Week as one 'must do' regatta and very probably at the top of their list."

The Board of the Irish Sailing Association announced the following appointments yesterday: Paddy Boyd becomes chief executive officer and secretary general; Harry Hermon becomes development manager; Tony Wright becomes training manager. The ISA will soon announce recruitment to fill a new position for racing manager.

Meanwhile, after weeks of patient weather-watching from their base in Plymouth, world-record breaker Steve Fossett and his team on Cheyenne last weekend started on their epic venture to set a new record for the fastest circumnavigation of the world. The super-maxi catamaran is not alone as both trimaran Geronimo and catamran Orange 2 also began their attempts within days of each other.