The entire entry for Ford Cork Week is divided across five fleets. A major part of the regatta's attraction is that each day a crew will sail on a completely different style of course. This keeps interest high all week.
Classes
Fleet A: Classes Zero and One, which feature the most spectacular boats in terms of size, Class Zero is one of only two divisions allowing professional sailors.
Fleet B: Includes Classes Two and Three competing under the IRC handicap system. This is where many of the leading club crews will be competing in boats around the 30-35 foot range. Also includes Sigma 38 foot one-designs.
Fleet C: IRC handicap classes Four and Five. Hunter 707 one-designs join this fleet.
Fleet D: The smallest IRC handicap classes Six and Seven, plus Impala 28-foot one-designs.
Fleet E: Covers the ECHO performance handicapped boats plus a special ECHO class that doesn't allow spinnakers.
In addition, the organisers are providing a further two separate windward/leeward courses for the 1720 Sportsboats competing for their European Championships and for the Sigma 33-foot One-designs. This brings to seven the number of race management units for the event.
Courses
1, harbour course: Possibly the most famous aspect of the week as it takes the fleet past the landmark St Colman's Cathedral at Cobh. Starting off at Weaver's Point opposite Roche's Point lighthouse, the course-length is varied to suit the conditions.
Monday: Fleet B; Tuesday: Fleet C; Wednesday: Fleet D; Thursday: Fleet E; Friday: Fleet A.
2, coastal course: A traditional "round the cans" race along the spectacular coastline from Roche's Point south-west towards Kinsale. The course is set to the south of the other courses, thereby allowing plenty of sea-room for the other fleets.
Monday: Fleet C; Tuesday: Fleet D; Wednesday: Fleet E; Thursday: Fleet A; Friday: Fleet B.
3, Olympic: The first of three truly testing courses held just outside the Harbour entrance. The number of laps is varied according to the conditions.
Monday: Fleet D; Tuesday: Fleet E; Wednesday: Fleet A; Thursday: Fleet B; Friday: Fleet C.
4, windward/leeward: A popular variation of the Olympic course, two simple legs - upwind and downwind - make for fast cut-and-thrust racing. Physically demanding and definitely not for the fainthearted after a big night out.
Monday: Fleet E; Tuesday: Fleet A: Wednesday: Fleet B; Thursday: Fleet C; Friday: Fleet D.
5, Figure 4: Less well-known among standard club level racers, the uncommon nature of this course should prove a good test of crew co-ordination as well as tactics.
Monday: Fleet A; Tuesday: Fleet B: Wednesday: Fleet C; Thursday: Fleet D; Friday: Fleet E.
Results and prizes
This year it's Waterford Crystal instead of a car. In previous years the sponsors put up a top-of-the-range car for the overall winner.
Results are calculated ashore and posted late in the afternoon. One-design classes are scored in the order of finishing. The handicap classes have a correction factor applied to their finishing time by the computer to adjust for size, age and technology. The event website is regularly updated at www.fordcorkweek.com
