2023 was a great year for Tralee Bay Sailing Club, and there was no better way to end it than with a very enjoyable Christmas party catching up with friends, bringing back fun sailing memories and acknowledging some of the great performances club members delivered during the year.
The club organised a very successful GP14 event and looks forward to welcoming national events in the west of Ireland.
Dathi and Arann Murphy sailing their Tralee Bay GP14 dinghy
Some of the club sailors competed at major events over the year. Riona McMorrow-Moriarty led the way with a very strong performance at the Topper World Championships, concluding her challenge in 8th position overall with a series of two race wins in the Gold fleet finals.
Former Irish Academy sailor Ellie Cunnane stepped into the Olympic 49er FX and was thrown at the deep end competing at the World sailing world championships in the Hague.
Tralee's Ellie Cunnane (on starboard) at the 49erFX Worlds
She also competed at the under-23 youth worlds in the class, winning two races in the Silver Fleet. She is now focussing on her studies and delivering some coaching to younger sailors, but no doubt she will return to competitive sailing rather soon.
The youngest of the club Worlds participants was Ben Chaix, who competed at the Mirror event in Sligo, finishing 12th overall and winning the Classic trophy. Ben also sails his Optimist and is an enthusiastic and very promising 9-year-old.
Ben Chaix of Tralee Bay Sailing Club sailing his Mirror Renaissance at the UK nationals
Cormac Murphy is sailing his Soling from strength to strength, finishing at a very solid 4th place overall at the UK nationals and a 3rd place at the Volvo Dun Laoghaire regatta in Class 4.
Cormac Murphy practising on his Soling (with sons Dahti and Arann at the front)
Also at the Volvo regatta, Ian Magowan had a great Water Wag regatta on Mary Kate, securing 2nd (with two race wins) in the ever-competitive fleet.
The club J24 sailors remained strong, with Tadgh O Loinsigh picking bronze at the ICRA nationals in Howth. Club mate Fergus Kelleher was not too far behind in 7th.
Back home, the club dinghy sailors of the year were young guns Dahti and Arann Murphy on their GP14.
The Cruiser Sailor of the Year was a close contest eventually won by the "old young team" on Elysium, skippered by Liam Lynch.
Last but not least, the awaited Popov award was delivered to John Barry for the biggest mess of the year... a good way to end a great evening with a good laugh!
