Sailing/ Cork Week:  The biennial Cork Week gets under way this morning at 11 a.m. when more than 500 yachts start racing on six different courses in and around Roche's Point.

Up to 20 boats had still to register last night, ahead of the organisers' expectations following storms earlier in the week.

With up to 50 knots of wind during the week, particularly on the delivery route across the St George's Channel, few withdrawals have been received.

Cav-ok, from the south coast of England, was dismasted on passage and subsequently withdrawn by the owner who later succeeded in acquiring a local boat as a chartered entry.

The sailor eligibility criteria has also taken its toll.

The system that was pioneered at this event before its world-wide adoption rates the level of professional sailing expertise of every crew member taking part and accords a classification to each.

Principals of yacht agencies HM Yachts and MGM Marine voluntarily withdrew from racing in the week last night while protests against specific crew members from rival entries were being heard last night.

In some cases, yachts moved into Class Zero where professionals are allowed to satisfy the eligibility code.

This morning's Class Zero, Class One and IRM fleets compete in the high-profile Harbour Course that races from Weaver's Point outside Cork Harbour to a turning mark just off Cobh.

Roy Disney and Hasso Plattner, racing Z86 maxi sisterships Pyewacket and Morning Glory, are expected to achieve speeds in excess of 20 knots with the forecast force three to four northerly winds.