Light airs for day 2 of Cork Week playing havoc with organisers' plans and testing nerves across the 18 classes

Light airs hampered racing for the second day of Cork Week off the south coast of Ireland yesterday (Tuesday), playing havoc with organisers’ plans and testing nerves across the 18 classes.

The showcase Class Zero continues to be led by Robert Elliot’s DK46 footer Erivale helmed by Tim Powell tied with Irish Commodore’s Cup team-member Flying Glove, Colm Barrington’s recently-launched Kerr 39.

Roy Disney’s MaxZ86-footer Pyewacket won the single windward-leeward course of the day, beating Hasso Plattner’s Morning Glory and levelling the score between the pair with a win apiece. Both are creeping up the class ranks and are fifth and sixth respectively after the tie-break.

Rebel, the Farr 45 campaigned jointly by David Franks and Duncan Morris leads the IRM grand prix class after winning today for the second successive time.

Responding to criticism voiced from within the fleet regarding Race Management standards, Chairman of the Race Committee Eddie English said: “There were some issues today that we are actively addressing and hope to have corrected. However, the vast majority of the sailors enjoyed good if challenging racing at Cork Week today.”

Class Three is led by Robin Aisher sailing Yeomantix, aka Antix more usually skippered by the Cowes sailor’s son-in-law Anthony O’Leary of the Royal Cork YC. The yacht is the current Irish Class One National champion but its regular helmsman is competing in the 1720 Sportsboat class this week.

French entries lead both Class 4 and Class 5 under IRC handicap with Jerome Burgaud on TBS/DSM leading the former by four points from fellow French entry Noel Racine on Foggy Dew. Morning Dew skippered by Yves Lanier leads Class 5.

In Class Seven, Irish Paralympic sailor John Twomey leads for the second day in his new Sonar three-man keelboat.

Amongst the one-design classes, Craig Mitchell leads the 1720 Sportsboats by six points from Shaun Douglas Express Security Group. Pre-event favourite Anthony O’Leary took a second place yesterday bringing the local class ace into fourth overall.