Sailing ColumnWith the new Irish Sailing Association (ISA) event-grading scheme due to begin in 2006, competitors can for the first time expect agreed standards that will clearly identify what major competitions have to offer.

By far the benchmark that many clubs will measure their performance against is the biennial Cork Week at Crosshaven, considered a "must-do" regatta by owners and crew from around Ireland and Britain and, increasingly, worldwide.

But as the organisers at the Royal Cork YC count down towards mid-July, 200 responses to a questionnaire issued to the 550-strong fleet in 2004 are directing efforts towards improving the entirely amateur-organised week. Already, 300 volunteers are committed to assisting the spectacular, and an on-line entry system was launched this week.

Several significant issues stand out from an otherwise hugely successful event 18 months ago, which catered for more than 5,000 sailors daily. The first was the presence of the impressive Z86 maxi yachts Pyewacket and Morning Glory.

This pair raced each other in the elite Class Zero, but their enormous size difference over the remainder of the fleet caused grave concerns both for the fairness of the competition and for safety when mixing in close quarters with smaller boats.

But rather than set an upper limit for entries, Cork Week 2006 could feature a Class Super Zero if current inquiries prove fruitful. Organisers readily admit that one or two boats would compromise the event, but three or more are enough to start a Class Super Zero.

The event has appointed several international patrons, whose role includes convincing prominent owners to commit their resources towards participating. So far, the 90-footer Genuine Risk 90 is confirmed, subject to the formation of a suitable racing division.

So the task of attracting enough of these super-maxis - there are fewer than a dozen actively racing - continues. Australian Bob Oatley and his Wild Oats, along with New Zealander Neville Crichton on Alfa Romeo, will definitely be coming to Europe next year, and will decide following the Sydney to Hobart Race in January whether to compete in Cork Week.

The 100-footer Maximus, co-owned by Bill Buckley and Charles St Clair Brown, is interested but not confirmed, and will only come to Ireland depending on availability of sponsorship.

Efforts are being made to put together a package combining the BMW Round Ireland Race and Cork Week. One negotiation is understood to be at an advanced stage in the €250,000 range for the two major Irish events.

Based on the 2004 Cork Week estimates, a single large maxi yacht is worth €100,000 to the local economy, and Hasso Platner's Morning Glory may also return with Russell Coutts on board.

"It's not an outside possibility that they'll come," Dave Meagher, the event chairman said this week. "We're actively speaking with all these boats and their response has been very positive."

Although unconfirmed at this time, a lower IRC Handicap limit of 1.13 for Class Zero is expected, though a Class Super Zero will mean that many Class Zero boats in 2004 will end up a division lower.

Race management is being beefed up, with Alan Crosbie appointed chief race officer, while Anthony O'Leary, Roger Palmer (Britain), Richard Leonard (Crosshaven), Jeanot Petch (Kinsale) and David O'Brien (Crosshaven) designated course officers. A new challenge will be how to shorten waiting times between races.

Meanwhile, Meagher has confirmed that the Irish handicapping system Echo will not be used.

"Echo is Mickey Mouse system and a complete waste of time at Cork Week. It has no credibility and we had just seven boats sailing under Echo in 2004," he said.

In other feedback from the survey, there will be no change to the classification code that governs professionals. Group Three sailors (pros) may compete in Class Zero, Sportboats and One-design if class rules allow. The Corporate Class (charter boats and schools) may have one Group Three on board.

The biggest non-sailing issue was accommodation, a perennial problem that results in widespread complaints of private homes rented out at excessively high prices. The remedy for 2006 has been to appoint three accommodation agents.

"This should either level out the market or drive the price down," says Meagher. "But the problem for us is that it isn't something that we control, yet it's a perception that it's part of our event."