Cork to be port of call in global yacht race

CORK is in line for a maritime extravaganza set to rival the Tall Ships race that enthralled the community in 1991.

Tue, 10 Feb, 2009 - 00:00

The city will provide a boat and crew to compete in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race and will also be a port of call for competitors.

Details of the event were unveiled yesterday by the first man to sail non-stop and single-handed around the world, Robin Knox-Johnston — who undertook the epic adventure in 1968.

A total of 10 yachts, representing 10 cities around the world, will take part in the 35,000-mile ocean race, which will set off from the River Humber in north-east England on September 13 next. The boats are expected to arrive in Cork in early to mid-June 2010 and they will be berthed in Crosshaven for their stay-over.

Sir Robin explained the beauty of the race was that all crews would be amateurs and be playing off a level playing pitch because all their vessels would be identical.

The 18-strong crew of the Cork boat will be picked later this month.

They will have to be over 18, but there is no upper age limit.

“They may start off as enthusiastic amateurs, but they come out of it as almost professionals,” he said.

He said the crew would act as ambassadors for the city with stops in the likes of Australia, Singapore, China, Rio de Janeiro, New York and San Francisco.

The campaign to enter a Cork yacht that will take the spirit of the region to a worldwide audience of more than 300 million people has been jointly backed by Fáilte Ireland, Cork City Council and Cork County Council.

Fiona Buckley, general manager, Fáilte Ireland South West, said her organisation was delighted to be involved with the introduction of a Cork boat for the first time in the race.

Lord Mayor of Cork, Brian Bermingham, said he was delighted that Cork would be represented in such a prestigious global event and hoped the event would bring worldwide attention to the city.

Mayor of Co Cork, Noel Harrington, said the economic impact of a race stop-over couldn’t be overemphasised as sailing was central to the development of tourism along Cork’s unique coastline, which was renowned for its rugged beauty and safe harbours.