Swell conditions for penultimate day at Cork

Of the 26 divisions competing at ACCBank Cork Week, almost all are un-decided going into Friday’s grand finale of the series. The popularly acclaimed Slalom Course with its intense reaching legs is certain to test the finely balanced Super Zero class as Niklas Zennstrom’s “Ran” and Dan Meyers’ “Numbers” are vying for first place with just a point between the pair.

Their Class Zero counterparts racing alongside the big boats are in a different mode as Richard Matthews’ “Oystercatcher XXVI” holds a comfortable seven point-lead over Tim Costello’s “Tiamat”.
 
Amongst the non-professional classes, local Barry Rose on “Obsession VI” is facing a strong challenge in a three-way battle for the Class 5 IRC title with Phil Eagleton’s “Chia Chia” and Richard Coldwell’s “Kinetic” both tied on points for second and third places but just two points adrift the class leader.

Ian Travers’ “Bandit” is the clear leader in Class 6 IRC with seven points to spare thanks to a win today on the scenic Harbour Course. “Its always a pleasure at ‘Craic Week’ and to welcome so many friends from all over the world to Ireland,” the Kinsale skipper said.

Meanwhile, the Corporate class Pete Newlands’ Beneteau 40.7 “Anticipation” has performed a slam-dunk in this 19-strong division with eight straight bullets and has the rare luxury at this event of not being obliged to sail the final race.