Calves Week Bucks Trend With 80-Boat Schull Fleet
Published 21:28 on 30 Jul 2026
Calves Week looks set to buck the national trend for regatta entries, with more than 80 boats expected to race off Schull next month. The West Cork regatta will also repeat dual IRC and ORC scoring after its introduction last year, while welcoming back one of Ireland's leading offshore racing yachts after a lengthy absence.
Sponsored by Quintas Capital, the four-day regatta runs from Tuesday 4 August to Friday 7 August and is expected to attract its largest fleet for several years.
Organisers anticipate more than 80 entries across seven classes, making Calves Week one of Ireland's strongest-supported cruiser-racing regattas of 2026. The official online entry list stood at 78 boats on 22 July, with further late entries expected before racing begins.
The introduction of dual IRC and ORC scoring throughout the regatta is expected to be one of this year's major talking points. Several competitors believe the new format has added to the event's appeal by allowing boats to compete for honours under both handicap systems.
Class Zero: Champions and Comebacks
Zero Hour: Johnny Treanor returns to defend his Calves Week Class Zero title, this time aboard his new boat Cris Tina, in a strong Schull fleet. Photo: Bob Bateman
The headline fleet is Class Zero, where defending champion John Treanor returns hoping to retain the title aboard his new boat Cris Tina.
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He faces a formidable line-up that includes reigning ICRA Boat of the Year El Syd, Paul O'Higgins' Rockabill VI, Prima Forte and Prime Suspect, creating one of the strongest Class Zero fleets assembled this season.
Champions Upwind: Frank Whelan's El Syd, the 2026 ICRA IRC Overall Champion, heads for Schull as one of the leading contenders in Calves Week's strong Class Zero fleet. Photo: Bob Bateman
Calves Week also marks the long-awaited return of Rockabill VI. The Royal Irish Yacht Club campaign has not raced since suffering a rigging failure at the beginning of the season and makes its competitive comeback in Schull.
Class One: J/109 Rivalry Renewed
Home Waters: Local favourite Tony O'Brien returns to defend his Class One title aboard the J/109 Tighey Boy, with six boats from the class expected to line up for Calves Week honours. Photo: Bob Bateman
Class One promises another closely fought contest. Six J/109s are expected to compete, including defending champion Tighey Boy, while recent Cork Week winner Chimaera heads another strong challenge in a fleet expected to exceed a dozen boats.
Class Act: Barry Cunningham's J/109 Chimaera heads to Calves Week after her recent Cork Week success and will be among the leading contenders in a strong Class One fleet. Photo: Bob Bateman
The depth of the J/109 fleet should ensure close racing throughout the week, with little expected to separate the leading contenders.
Class Two: Swuzzlebubble Defends
Bubble Defence: James Dwyer's Swuzzlebubble will defend her Calves Week Class Two crown, with Leslie Parnell's returning Black Velvet among the expected challengers. Photo: Bob Bateman
Defending champion James Dwyer's Swuzzlebubble returns to defend her title against Leslie Parnell's Black Velvet, back after missing last year's regatta.
The class is expected to provide another highly competitive contest as returning crews face several improving challengers.
Class Three: Largest Fleet Takes Shape
Class Three is expected to be the biggest fleet of the regatta, with 16 boats currently entered.
Quarter Measure: Kieran Kelleher and Colman Garvey return to Calves Week in their Quarter Tonner Illegal, joining what is expected to be the regatta's largest fleet. Photo: Bob Bateman
Defending champions Coleman Garvey and Kiernan Kelleher return with their new Quarter Tonner Illegal, alongside the Radley family's Tuco and the locally campaigned Jungle Juice.
Class Four: Tribute and Tough Competition
Class Four Chase: Rob O'Reilly's Bonjourno!! is among the challengers in a competitive Class Four fleet at Calves Week, where experience and local knowledge are expected to prove decisive. Photo: Bob Bateman
Class Four includes Rob O'Reilly's Bonjourno Part Deux, Tom Newman's Sittelle, recently returned from a solo voyage to the Azores, and Ray Hanley's Toroloco.
Hanley will race in tribute to his late brother Richard, whose GK24 Saoirse became one of the most successful boats in Calves Week history.
White Sail: Strong Racing Expected
White Sail Watch: Aidan Heffernan's Indulgence returns to Calves Week as defending overall White Sail champion, with another competitive fleet gathering in Schull. Photo: Bob Bateman
The White Sail divisions are again expected to attract competitive fleets.
Classic Lines: Simon O'Keeffe's beautifully restored 1902-built Lady Min brings more than 120 years of yachting history to Calves Week as she competes in the White Sail fleet. Photo: Bob Bateman
Defending overall White Sail champion Aidan Heffernan's Indulgence faces challenges from Prince of Tides, and Magnet, while Simon O'Keeffe's beautifully restored 1902-built Lady Min brings more than a century of sailing history to this year's regatta.
The Quintas Capital crew reception opens the regatta on Monday 3 August before four consecutive days of racing. Daily prize givings will be held at race headquarters in the Schull Harbour Hotel.
Article Credit - Afloat Magazine
Last updated 21:32 on 30 July 2026
