The 37-foot classic yacht Persephone, the 1919 classic Erin, the famous Opposition (Ex Morning Cloud), and Cork Harbour One Designs Jap and Else are amongst the famous classic racing yachts making their way to Cork for the legendary Volvo Cork Week taking place in Crosshaven from 11-15 July. It’s the first year that a dedicated Classic Yacht Regatta will be hosted by the Royal Cork Yacht Club, and it will be a fantastic viewing spectacle for shoreline onlookers over the week (Monday-Friday). Recommended viewing points include Camden and the Church Bay in Crosshaven, the new Haulbowline Island Amenity Park, Ringaskddy as well as the promenade in Cobh. Classic French boats will also arrive as part of the Bastille Day celebrations.
Hundreds of boats and thousands of yachtsmen and women from around the globe are expected in Cork next week to enjoy both the on and off-the-water events, as they plan to celebrate the tricentenary of the oldest yacht club in the world after events were cancelled in 2020 due to the pandemic.
Yves Lambert from the Atlantic Yacht Club in France, who will be participating in his yacht Persephone, a 37-foot Tina designed by Dick Carter, said, “In 2020 we had plans to attend and help the Royal Cork Yacht Club celebrate its Tricentenary, enjoy some Irish beers with our Irish friends and everything else Cork has to offer. Sadly, Covid put stop to our plans in 2020 and indeed the Royal Cork’s Tricentenary celebrations. When we were advised of a classic class at Volvo Cork Week in 2022, we had to come. A 302-year-old birthday does not happen so often I guess, so if we were looking for a good reason to come, it arrived just in time!”
The biennial regatta draws spectators from far and near and the atmosphere in Crosshaven, home of the Royal Cork Yacht Club, is always second to none.
This year, Volvo Cork Week will kick off with a fun-filled Family Day this Sunday, July 10th from 12-5 pm. There will be fun and adventure for families across the whole village of Crosshaven from the Royal Cork Yacht Club to Camden Fort Meagher and everywhere in between, including the famous Pipers Fun Fair and boat trips from Hugh Coveney Pier on the Cailin Or. The emphasis this year is on sustainability with coastal walks, competitions and games as well as a new coastal market in the Marquee at the Yacht Club. A children’s workshop with Marine Scientist and Volvo Car Ireland Brand Ambassador Finn van der Aar will also take place at 1 pm and RedFM will broadcast live from the event.
Volvo Cork Week will incorporate four championship events – the 1720 European Championships which will include over 40 1720 boats that were designed in Cork, the Irish Cruiser Racing Association (ICRA) National Championships, the Dragons South Coast Championships, and the SB20 Nationals– in addition to the renowned Beaufort Cup for international uniformed service personnel, which encompasses a race around the Fastnet Rock and back to Cork.
There will also be a Volvo Cork Week Ladies’ Day charity lunch in aid of the Crosshaven RNLI on Wednesday, July 13th, with Volvo brand ambassadors Amy Huberman and Brendan Courtney, which is a total sell-out.
Anna-Marie Fagan, Vice-Admiral of the Royal Cork Yacht Club and Co-Chair of Volvo Cork Week said, “I’m looking forward to welcoming sailors from around the world back to the stunning Cork Harbour next week. It’s going to be an exceptional week of sailing, and we have a fantastic family day planned for everyone in Cork to enjoy. We have a packed schedule on and off the water”.
Volvo Car Ireland is the title sponsor of Volvo Cork Week in partnership with Johnson & Perrott, with official partners Cork County Council, Port of Cork, Musto, Dubarry, Heineken, Barry & Fitzwilliam, Clean Coasts, and MaREI. RedFM is media partners.
