After a faltering start due to the absence of breeze yesterday, significant results from two key classes emerged for the Royal Irish Yacht Club from the massive fleet competing at Ford Cork Week. However, the late start to racing in mid-afternoon means that limited results were available late last night.
In the 55 boat Sigma 33 class, Tim Goodbody and his crew on White Mischief scored an impressive two first places in spite of the weather and the strength of the UK-dominated class that initiated a strong Irish following at this event two years ago.
And in the handicap fleets, Colm Barrington's Gloves Off ended his first day with an overall lead thanks to a third and a second in the two races for Class One under the IRC system. Both boats appeared to revel in the light weather that is forecast to continue. The showcase fleet of Class Zero still managed to put on a good show even if there was as little as four knots of wind for most of the afternoon. Roy Disney's Pyewacket, a 70-foot sled, instantly departed the class rivals from the very outset of the races.
What followed was a procession of larger boats averaging 50 foot in length and greater. Mixed in with these were the impressively quick Mumm 30s, though when it came down to results, only the top line counts and it is a 41-footer that has taken the first overnight lead of the series alongside Disney.
No surprises here as Harold Cudmore's name appears in joint first overall thanks to a matching set of results from his larger rival. The Cork born yachtsman is defending his 1998 overall win of Cork Week and going head to head with the American is a repeat scenario for him although involving different boats this time round. Pyewacket's impressive speed is certain to prove challenging when even clearing the melee on the starting line in the light airs gives Disney an instant advantage.
Meanwhile, the only other professional class in the event saw an upset to the predicted running-order for the event - again thanks to the light airs.
Two British boats came out on top of the 72-boat fleet after day one. Paulo Tortellini and Mike Bud's Castor Noir took first place while Graeme and Ruairidh Scotts' King Quick was second place runner-up. Defending European champion Mark Mansfield on Union Chandlery had a disappointing start to his defence with a 26th place - certain to be discarded - while RCYC Admiral Anthony O'Leary in Ford Racing didn't fare much better in 20th.
A classic upset to the usually routine starting technique came from Finn Leyden on Afloat's Just Magic who spotted an opening at the outer end of the line and he managed a fast getaway by port-tacking the entire fleet to establish a fine lead. By the next lap however, this had dissipated when a wind shift lifted the chasing pack though he still finished an acceptable 14th place.
