Harbouring the professionals

An event the size of Ford Cork Week, however successful, is bound to attract an element of controversy from time to time. The recurring theme of a professional presence in the racing invariably involves Donal McClement, a race management expert and figurehead for all matters afloat at the Royal Cork Yacht Club.

McClement's stance on the issue - and therefore the position of the entire event - is simple: Cork Week is for amateur crews but, being realistic, the organisers recognise that certain boats rely on professionals for effective operation. Specifically, these are the giant yachts of Class Zero and the cut-and-thrust crews of the sportsboat classes.

When it comes to the mid-sized boats (around 40 feet or less), it is common to find sailmakers, boat captains and other paid hands competing in regular series outside this event. However, their presence is not welcomed at Cork unless sailing on either of the two specified classes.

In previous years, McClement ran an ad hoc eligibility code that caused consternation when several key crew were thrown out of the event following protests from other competitors to the organisers. Although clearly well-intended, the lack of clarity generated most of the criticism.

In spite of the storm, McClement persevered with not untypical dogma and his stance was recognised further afield. The biennial Commodore's Cup event, based in Britain, monitored his experiences closely and called upon him for advice when they experienced similar problems.

The upshot is a formal eligibility code, categorising the various levels of involvement sailors may have in return for payment. Developed by the Royal Yachting Association, McClement and his team have adopted the code for use at Ford Cork Week, instantly removing the onus from the organisers and providing a clear framework that has been well-signalled in advance.

It is ironic that, as organisers of a world standard international event (and arguably responsible for bringing the issue of professional involvement at amateur events into the open), the Royal Cork YC have had to turn to another national authority for assistance in the matter.

However, aside from the political aspects of the issue, the net effect has been to achieve a situation that allows regular amateur crews compete in a more even environment. The professionals are catered for and a happy compromise appears to have been reached. The efforts of McClement are indicative of this year's catchphrase, which says that Cork Week is run "for sailors by sailors".