Royal Cork's Nicholas O'Leary has the X factor. Following a light air series on home waters, O'Leary retained the All Ireland Sailing title this afternoon to become one of only a handful of sailors to hold on to the coveted salver. In a replay of last years event at Howth, also sailed in J80s, O'Leary's father Anthony was second. The overall positions were: 1st Nicholas O'Leary, 2nd Anthony O'Leary, 3rd Ben Duncan, 4th John Driscoll, 5th Paul McMahon, 6th Colin Chapman, 7th David Driscoll, and 8th Tim Corcoran. Photos over the fold and the All Ireland forum thread is here.
In 2008 Nicholas won the Student Yachting World Championship, representing Cork Institute of Technology in La Rochelle, France.
In third place, despite winning the final two races, was Ben Duncan from New Zealand. The Howth Yacht Club member will also take home the GP14 1st Timer Trophy.
At the same venue Matthew O'Dowd, from the Royal St George Yacht Club won the 2009 ISA Junior All Ireland event in Laser Radial Dinghies.
17-year-old Matthew O'Dowd was a Wild Card nomination based on his win at the Laser Radial Europa Cup in Denmark earlier this year. In July, Matthew travelled to Brazil where he represented Ireland in the Laser Radial Boys class at the 2009 ISAF Youth Sailing World Championship.
1st Matthew O'Dowd (pictured below) – Euro Cup in Denmark, RSGYC
2nd Conor Lyden – RS Feva Class, RCYC
3st Rob Lehane – 420 Youth Europeans, KYC
4th Finn Lynch – Topper Class, BSC
5th Mark Condy – Laser 4.7 Class, HYC/LDYC
6th Diana Kissane – Laser 4.7 Class, HYC