Cork Week 2008 Day 1, the Aussie view

'Heading out to the start line, yachts as far as the eye can see - Cork Week 08' Anne Hogan Click Here to view large photo

The Australian Crew racing on the yacht Blackheart report from day 1 at Cork Week 08.

To quote the committee boat warning us of our impending starting sequence this morning, 'Day 1 in the Big Brother House - let the games begin!'

We have discovered since we arrived that we are the first Australian entry at Cork Week. Many other Australians have sailed here but we are the first to sail under the banner of an Australian club, namely Manly Yacht Club. So it was with pride that headed out to the start line this morning making sure all around knew who we were as we played the Wolverines 'What a Bl**dy great day to go Sailing!' at full tilt and flying the MYC Burgee as well as the Australian Flag. Yes Cork, the aussies are in town!

A sunny warm morning for a change and the crew were overwhelmed by the sight of 400 yachts heading to their various start lines outside Cork Harbour. The racing at Cork is amazingly well organised, each fleet is on a different course each day and the courses range from the Harbour race to the Windward/Leeward with the trapezoid, Olympic and slalom in between.

Today it was our turn on the trapezoid course. We had forgotten that Ireland has a different climate system every five minutes so by the time the sunscreen was applied and the shorts and tees were out, it was time to rug up and get our wet weather gear on. A mild 10 knots had us away on time on the first of many windward legs. The crew work was fantastic, the tide was strong, the wind wasn't so we finished a little way down the fleet - but thrilled with our first race. And the Manly Sailing Crew felt right at home when a huge tanker came through the fleet tooting constantly just like the Manly Ferry!

Over the VHF we hear the instruction, 'second race to start in 10 minutes', two hours and several wind shifts later the second race went off in 10 kts. Not that the Manly Sailing Crew minded - a lot of naps were taken - allegedly it was 'jet lag' but it was more a result of indulgence in Irish Hospitality the night before. But once we got the signal they were alert and ready to go - unfortunately the wind wasn't and we floated around a shortened course for much of the afternoon! The results were a lot about where you were on the course when the wind died and we were not in the right place. But we headed back to the marina satisfied in the knowledge that we love this regatta and tomorrow is another day. Now blow wind, blow!