All set for Glandore Classic Regatta

IT is 25 years since the Glandore Classic Regatta was first organised and all the stops have been pulled out to ensure that this year's regatta will be the best one yet.

Organised by the Glandore Harbour Yacht Club, the 2017 Glandore Classic Regatta, from July 23rd to 28th, is sponsored by Cantor Fitzgerald. Since January, they have been open for online entries and they have a great line up of wonderful classic boats registered already. 

The spectacular Parade of Sail will be held on Sunday 23rd at 3pm and the organisers are delighted to welcome regular visitors like the Spirit of Oysterhaven, Celtic Mist, the Fife Brynoth and, this year, they also welcome the well-known ketch Cuilaún. 

They have entries in workboats, hookers and luggers, and will welcome Sally O'Keeffe, the Shannon hooker, for her first visit to Glandore Harbour. Elsie, one of the elegant Fife Cork Harbour One Designs, will also be there. Restorations and new re-launches are becoming an important part of all classic regattas and we will see recent work from Rui Ferriera's yard at Ballydehob and from Bill Trafford in Mallow. 

Look out for Guapa.  

There is something for everyone at the regatta and in the dinghy classes watch out for the Ettes and Water Wags, they should be a joy to watch from Glandore terrace, especially when the Wags entertain the crowd with ‘synchronised sailing'.

And, of course, the home fleets of Dragons and Squibs will be working hard to ensure that local honour is upheld during the four days of hard racing. A new feature this year is the “Dubarry cruise to Castletownshend”, when the competing boats can take a leisurely sail around to the beautiful Castletownshend pier, although we know that there will be lots of ‘unofficial' racing going on. 

It will not be all about racing.  For the landlubbers, there will be guided walks around the West Cork coastline, as well as the chance to go whale watching, kayaking, or sea fishing. And, there will be food stalls, music in the ‘square'.

GHYC Commodore Karen Horgan said: ‘The Glandore Classic is always a great week. We have a wonderful assortment of classic boats coming here, and we take our racing very seriously, but we also make sure that the craic is mighty. 

‘We are very grateful to Cantor Fitzgerald, who are our title sponsora for the event; they are a global name in wealth management and investment services.' 

Cantor Fitzgerald's Daniel Murphy added: ‘This is our first time sponsoring the Glandore Classic, and we would like to wish all the participants and spectators an enjoyable week, and great sailing. I will be on the water myself, and I look forward to seeing these beautiful classic boats in action.' 

The event is also sponsored by Fehily Timoney, C.H.Marine, Glenmar, Henineken Ireland and the Friends of GHYC.