Ford Cork Week gets off to flying start

The summer sun came back just in time in Crosshaven yesterday as the magic of Ford Cork Week returned to the Royal Cork Yacht Club.

Sailors from all over the world met in Crosshaven, while cruisers also berthed as families prepared to enjoy a week's holiday.

The social programme got off to a great start with yesterday's family day as hundreds of families enjoyed the brilliant sunshine and atmosphere.

The Opening

ceremony was performed by Health Minister Michael

Martin.

On the sailing side of things, the Sigma 38s were the only boats to commence racing yesterday and they

started their offshore overnight race from Weavers Point at 12.30pm.

This is a traditional race for them and and as they will have raced overnight,

their next official race will be tomorrow.

The fleet enjoyed

brilliant sunshine but conditions were very light with a fickle northerly

breeze competing with the strong ebb tide. The Sigmas are very popular

visitors to Ford Cork Week and enjoy very strong class racing. They will

be

holding their annual class championships during the week so competition

will

be extremely keen.

A popular crew returning to this year's event is the Irish Guide

Dogs for the Blind entry Wild Goose Victory Chase.

This boat will be

skippered by the very experienced skipper Noel Conlon, who is visually

impaired and will have some celebrity crew members on board during the

week.

Among the crew will be Fine Gael TD Simon Coveney, who also acted as Guest

Tactician during last Ford Cork when the crew achieved a very creditable

fourth placing in their class. The crew consists of four visually

impaired

and two sighted sailors.

The event has made an excellent start and Crosshaven will be the place to be with all the colour, intense competition and on shore entertainment over the next week.