Following several weeks of speculation, Dublin yachtsman Colm Barrington this week confirmed his entry of a Whitbread 60 footer for the Cork Dry Gin Round Ireland Race which starts in two weeks. His chartered boat is Toshiba.

Barrington will bring his crew from Surfin' Shoes, his well-proven Bashford Howison 41 footer and will be navigated by Brian Matthews. "We'll be sailing with full water ballast and aiming for line honours, the course record and overall win in that order," Barrington said this week. "We're waiting for our CHS (Channel Handicap System) certificate before sending in complete details."

The arrival of Barrington's entry will prove an interesting challenge for his bigger rival in the race, the 83-foot maxi Longobarda sailing once again as Bridgestone F1. Water ballasting and masthead spinnakers should give the W60 an edge though the recently optimised Longobarda with a high-powered crew and the uncertainties of the course could see a close result yet.

Meanwhile, New Zealander Todd Forsyth suffered a setback to his campaign last weekend when his chartered yacht on passage from Antigua to Ireland had to turn back after five days at sea when the crew discovered its backstay was damaged.

It subsequently emerged that the hydraulic ram had to be replaced as well on the 20-year-old German Frers design and the boat would not reach Ireland in time for the June 20th start off Wicklow.

Forsyth has not given up however and was this week trying to acquire either an IOR One or Two tonner to be rated for Channel Handicapping (CHS). His crew, mostly comprising regular Irish Sea offshore sailors from Janey Mac as well as two more Kiwis will continue on the new boat sailing as Interlink Express/Today FM.

The Army Sailing Club has its first ever entry in the race with backing from the Minister for Defence and New Age Services. The 11-man crew will be led by Kinsale sailor Commandant Ollie Grey and is drawn from all ranks. According to the team, the race initially offered a physical challenge but they have since chartered Sarah J which finished fourth in the last race and is a well-proven boat on the inshore event circuit.

The Royal Cork Yacht Club's Ford Week was formally launched in Dublin this week where it was confirmed that 632 entries have now been received for the mammoth event.

The lessons of the 1996 event regarding professional sailing should have been learned by now according to Chairman Clayton Love. "People know now and we'll be very tough on the CHS classes that don't comply," he told The Irish Times. "For god's sake stay out (of these classes) if you're pro and thinking of sailing." Professionals will only be permitted in Class Zero and the 1720 sportsboats.

So far, 63 of the Cork originated sportsboats have entered with a possible final turnout of 65 at the event. "Certainly there's very few left out there to compete," said Love. "I'd urge anybody not competing to consider chartering their boats as there's people out there keen."

In spite of the firm policy on professional sailors and the fun ethos of Ford Week, the 1720 class is certain to be a major focus of the event with numerous leading sailors from Ireland and around the world taking part. Among that fleet, Irish Australian John Storey, the principal backer for the 1993 Admiral's Cup team will return with Tom Dodson on board. The Kiwi was tactician for Russell Coutts winning America's Cup team in San Diego and is just one of many challengers that will see various egos damaged predicted Love.

This weekend sees a contrast of events in the Dublin area. The world's first one-design class, the Water Wags will hold their World Championship in Dun Laoghaire where 25 boats are expected. Apart from regular racing, there will also be a feature race on Sunday afternoon at 2.30 when the boats will perform synchronised sailing inside the harbour.

Across the bay in Howth, the Carlsberg Howth Regatta weekend has an entry of well over 200 boats with attention focusing on local hot-shots Roy Dickson on Cracklin' Rosie and Max McMullan's Mustang Sally. Both boats are designed by John Corby; the owners are still coming to terms with the CHS Committee's decision to penalise his designs.