West Cork is preparing to be the centre of attention in the sailing world over the coming week, as thousands of sailors from around the world and closer to home head for the Fastnet Rock.

If last weekend’s gale-battered ICRA National Championships in Cork Harbour wasn’t punishment enough, another fleet of cruiser-racers last night departed Dun Laoghaire heading for Dingle on the 275-mile Volvo D2D race.