Venture Uncorked as Raceboats reach 160kph in Cobh

Two of the world’s wildest raceboats tested in Cork yesterday in preparation for major June event

Irish charity, Haven, announced as Global Charity Partner

The calm of beautiful Cork Harbour was interrupted yesterday when two speed machines took to the waters to test the only inshore leg of next June’s Venture Cup – the world’s longest, toughest and most prestigious powerboat race.

Running at speeds in excess of over 160 kilometres per hour, Ireland’s ‘Team Hibernia’ and England’s ‘Vector Martini’ drew quite a crowd of excited spectators as they tested the 32 kilometre course which will be covered seven times by 25 international raceboats on Sunday June 12th next.

“This was a necessary test” reported Venture Cup Racing Director, Peter Dredge. “These boats usually only race very long-distances offshore, but Cork Harbour is particularly special so we’ve been working hard with the Port of Cork to deliver a really great in-harbour course for the first leg of the race”. Following on from the opening leg in Cork, the fleet will then charge along the Wild Atlantic Way with stops in Dingle, Galway, Killybegs and Belfast, before charging into Dublin for the closing weekend on Saturday 18th of June.

‘Shaken Not Stirred’, Keith Ryan on hand for Cobh Edition.  Photo: Colm McDonagh

Aside from the spectacle of world-class racing in Cork Harbour, the people of Cork can also look forward to a great free festival in the centre of the city, as the fleet will be moored on Custom House Quay and surrounded by a free public festival right across the opening weekend – something which Ann Doherty, Chief Executive of Cork City Council is greatly looking forward to “The Venture Cup is one of the world’s most prestigious marine events and we are delighted that the organisers have chosen Cork as its start point in Ireland. We’re especially pleased that Corkonians and visitors to our city will get an opportunity to get up close and personal with these magnificent boats along while enjoying the party atmosphere at the quayside event next June. We’re very confident that the event will attract crowds in excess of those who attended the Tall Ships event in 1992.”

The Mayor of County Cork is equally full of anticipation for next June’s event “Cork County Council is delighted to work with the organisers of the Venture World Cup to bring the race to Cork Harbour and West Cork’s Haven Coast in 2016. We view this event as an important milestone in demonstrating the tourism potential of Cork Harbour and the spectacular Cork coastline.”

It was also announced that Irish Charity Haven would be the Global Charity partner for the Venture World Cup. Haven works solely in Haiti, empowering Haitians to build strong and sustainable livelihoods. Haven is working tirelessly on the ground providing shelter, access to clean water and employment opportunities to thousands of struggling families.

Leslie Buckley, Founder and Chairman of Haven concluded: “We are honoured to have been chosen as the Global Charity Partner of the Venture Cup, which looks set to be one of the outstanding events of the year. This is a hugely exciting opportunity to support our work on the ground in Haiti, where our sustainable development projects are transforming lives and rebuilding communities.”

Once the testing was completed, it was then the time for some very lucky guests and event partners to get a ride in the raceboats, providing an opportunity to see the Harbour from a very different, and very fast-moving perspective. The result was a mix of some very giddy, slightly shaky and extremely satisfied people stepping off the raceboats in Cobh.

“This is a truly wonderful adventure. Man and machine taking on the very toughest conditions the Irish coast can throw at them”, stated Venture spokesman, Stuart Walker. “We brought this event to Cork and Ireland because we know how well people here react to major events, and we intend to put on a show which people will be talking about fondly for decades.”