The National 18 class travelled from Cork to Dublin Bay this weekend for the Irish championships, the first time since the mid 1960's that this exciting trapeze class has held its Championships in Dublin.
The National Yacht Club is hosting the class in Dun Laoghaire harbour with competition starting today. Picture gallery above by Aidan Tarbett.
As previously reported on Afloat.ie the National 18 is a 3 person boat with essentially a one design GRP hull shape, with a large sail area flown on a carbon rig with one crew member using a trapeze.
They have an exhilarating performance being quicker than a Dragon upwind with 'gobsmacking speed downwind' in any sort of a breeze. The fleet is peppered with quality sailors including former and current Olympians.
Racing is lively, close and ferocious with the boats all matched with similar speed.
