The ILCA National Championships, sponsored by Grant Thornton and Gore & Grimes Solicitors, is around the corner. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to be part of one of the largest national sailing events of the year. Hosted by the National Yacht Club for over three days (23rd to the 25th of August), over 100 boats will compete in the three rigs (ILCA4, ILCA6 and ILCA7) for the various titles on offer.

Our elite sailors made the country proud in the Olympics, with National YC Finn Lynch qualifying for the medal race (10th overall) and Howth YC young ace Eve McMahon taking a superb 13th overall. Now it is time to showcase the depth of the home-based fleet!

The ILCA dinghy (formerly the Laser) is sailed in pretty much every club in the country with vibrant local fleets and the nationals is the opportunity for sailors, junior, youth, adults, and master’s alike, to test their skills outside their home waters. Dublin Bay will provide the playground. The National YC organising team is now fully geared up and looking forward to the arrival of the competitors.

You can enter here

As a lead up to the event, the National YC in partnership with ILCA Ireland is running an Open 3-day clinic (19th to 21st of August) led by the club Head coach and former international Laser sailor Thomas Chaix. The clinic was rapidly oversubscribed, so the team of coaches has been increased and more places are offered. They are filling up fast.

You can register here

We would like to thank all our sponsors, especially Grant Thornton and Gore & Grimes Solicitors for their generous financial support  for this event as  well of course as our other supporters : Rooster, Viking Marine, The Bretzel Bakery and Covy. This event would not be possible without them!

We would also like to thank ILCA Ireland primary series sponsor CH Marine who have supported the class throughout the whole season.

The Cruising Groups in several clubs are an expanding world unto themselves. It's only when a couple of the leading ones get together afloat, as they did in a muster at Lambay last weekend (27th July) in the form of the CGs from both the National Yacht Club and Howth YC, that the rest of the sailing community can get a real measure of this contented "Force for the Good" bubbling quietly away in their midst.

The fleet of 33 modern boats anchored serenely in the Lambay sunshine – with some groups rafting up – spoke volumes. It was the personal project of former Howth YC Commodore Gerry O'Neill, a former HYC Cruising Group Captain, and now Admiral of Cruising Group Armadas. But even the ever-optimistic Admiral O'Neill was pleasantly surprised to find 33 boats – substantial ones among them - gathering off the Nose of Howth at 11:00 hrs in Saturday's sunshine as the NYC fleet - led by Andrew Collins – joined with their Howth fellow-enthusiasts to take the fair wind and strong favourable flood tide north to Lambay.

A clear satellite image reveals that the unspoilt Fingal island of Lambay has the advantage of offering sheltered anchorage to suit any wind direction. Although the little private harbour on the west coast dries and none of the anchorages is secure in all winds, Afloat.ie can personally report peaceful overnights in southerlies in Swallow Cove on the North Coast (most folk use the more utilitarian name of Saltpan Bay), and Seal Hole in the southeast cliffs when the wind was determinedly in the Nor'west

THE INSIDE STORY

Gary Daibhis of the Howth CG was the Logmeister, and he tells the tale here:

The NYC Armada departed Dun Laoghaire at 09.00, setting to rendezvous with the HYC Armada at the Nose of Howth at 11.00. The two Armada joined and set sail for Lambay. There was a Southerly Breeze and sunshine and maybe threats of showers in the distance, but they were well over the land and the rising tide pushed the boats gently north.

Rare bird among many gannets: Vincent Gaffney's almost-unique Laser 28 Alliance in solitary splendour beside the newest gannetry on the East Coast of Ireland at Swallow Cove/Saltpans Bay, while experiencing the unexpected colours Lambay can serve up in High Summer. Photo: CGs

The fleet of 33 boats sailed up the west side of Lambay Island, admiring the Island scenery in the clear sunshine. They rounded the Tayleur Buoy off Lambay's northwest point, and headed South East into Saltpan Bay (aka Swallow Cove – Ed.) on the north coast of beautiful Lambay Island. What a spectacular place to anchor. High cliffs shelter from the southerly wind, the bay was flat calm. There is good holding anchorage to within 5 meters of the sheer cliff. It was not long before the entire fleet had anchored, and the hunger and thirst of the crews were soon quenched: time for lunch.

Part of the fleet of 33 that mustered at Lambay – the variety ensured it was a Boat Show Afloat

WALLABIES AND PUFFINS SIGHTED

While lunch was being served, the wildlife of Lambay put on a fascinating display. Lambay Wallabies were viewing from the cliff tops, seals were foraging from the sea, flocks of sea birds with their young were putting on a display, Gannets were plunging from heights, Razor Bills and Guillemots were dipping under the boats. Gulls of many species were wheeling and screeching in a loud cacophony. Luck was with one of the boats, the crew saw a pair of beautiful Puffins, showing off their colourful beaks.

After lunch, the weather and the clear sea was an attraction. Brave crew of some of the boats took to swimming. "Happy Squeals" could be heard at Rockabill lighthouse. Then as the afternoon wore on it was time to catch the south flow of the tide. The rattle of windlasses and anchor chains could be heard as the boats got underway and headed for HYC.

These cruising women are tough. Photo: CGs

A special reception and meal had been arranged for the combined cruising groups in the Howth YC dining room, where the warm mood of sailorly camaraderie was kept going with with welcome beverages and good food.

Susan Kavanagh, Cruising Group Captain of HYC invited Gerry O'Neill, Admiral of HYC Armadas and Andrew Collins, Admiral of NYC Armadas to exchange pennants. Gerry thanked everybody for making the day a wonderful success, and hoped that this would become an annual event in both clubs, receiving a warm response from Andrew Collins.

The exchange of colours with (left to right) Gerry O'Neill (HYC), Susan Kavanagh (Captain, HYC Cruising Group) and Andrew Collins, (Admiral NYC Armadas)

With the Olympic Games just around the corner, the National Yacht Club is buzzing with anticipation as members and the sailing community eagerly look ahead to the upcoming events in Marseille. Finn Lynch will be representing NYC when he competes in the men's ILCA7, while Eve McMahon from Howth Yacht Club will be taking on the competition in the ILCA 6 dinghy, giving local supporters plenty to cheer for.

However, the club's focus is also on preparing to host the National Championship from August 23rd to 25th. As our Olympic hopefuls complete their challenges in France, it will soon be time for local club sailors, youth champions, and former champions now vying in the Masters categories to vie for national supremacy on home waters.

In anticipation of the championship, the National Yacht Club, in collaboration with ILCA Ireland, is organising a 3-day open clinic under the guidance of NYC head coach and former ILCA6 and 7 international sailor Thomas Chaix. The clinic, open to all rigs and categories, aims to provide participants with tailored coaching to enhance their racing skills ahead of the Nationals.

Places are currently limited to ensure good coaching ratios so do not miss out. Register here

The mid-week medium to strong misty northerlies presented a challenge to the organising team of the 2024 National Yacht Club Junior Regatta. Although the decision to run all the fleets inside the harbour was validated the previous evening, it presented a strong challenge with a short and difficult chop entering the harbour.

After a short postponement whilst setting up the triangle course, Race Officer Chris Moore released the six Main fleets. The two harbour fleets were kept ashore and eventually Abandoned for the day.

The first race gave an all-clear for all the starts. The largest fleet was the optimist, and George ace Max O'Hare took an early lead, and he never let go. The battle was, however, on for race honours, with NYC Alex Butcher eventually edging out Balthazar Roche from the RIYC, a talented new name on the scene. NYC James Gorman is currently on form in the lead-up to the Topper worlds (his final event in the class). He is now dual sailing his ILCA4 along with the Topper and has adapted fast to the heavier boat. He built a good lead from clubmate James Hall. Only two toppers completed the course, and RstGYC sailor Oisin Healy secured the win. 

James Gorman, Laser 4.7 winner of the NYC Junior Regatta 2024 being presented with his trophy by NYC Commodore Peter Sherry

The Feva is a popular summer choice in Dun Laoghaire, with 16 boats battling for the win. It was an all-George affair with Finn Foley/Johnny Rock keeping the girls team Amy O'Halloran & Molly O'Flaherty chasing. The PY group depleted fast with sailors heading in. Despite numerous capsizes, Jules Start and Riona McMorrow Moriarty, sailing the club 29er, were rewarded with the race win ahead of Louise Hanley and Hannah Walsh, sailing a 29er.

The safety fleet was kept busy ensuring the sailors were minded and supported when in difficulties, and a few sailors elected to call it a day before race 2.

The second race was a little shorter. In the Optimist, NYC Michael Hanley had a cracking start at the pin and held his lead around the initial few marks with Max O'Hare hot on the chase. As Michael said: " it was great to take the lead, but it was funny and worrying at the same time to see Max so comfortable in the breeze whilst I was just thinking, don't capsize, don't capsize...." It was to be close, but Max managed to overtake just before the finish. Race winners in the other classes confirmed as well their overall win.

Back ashore, once all the results were computed and the BBQ burgers and ice creams enjoyed, the prizegiving was set up under the club balcony along with the awaited Covy Water Sport raffle with a new wetsuit as top prize. 

The harbour fleet also enjoyed their own raffle to make up for the cancellation of their racing.

Finally, after a short break to allow the sailors to get changed, the Pirates Disco could start. DJ Dave had the sailors enjoying themselves until 9pm.

The longest day of the year just passed... so we are halfway through summer, aren't we?

Events were run across Ireland (and abroad), with the National Yacht Club represented at many of them. The week started on Wednesday with the first couple of races completed at the Flying15 UK nationals in Strangford Lough. A day later, the RS Aero Europeans kicked off in Carnac (France). The weekend concluded a great week of sailing races with the Topper Southerns organized by the club, the Fireball Westerns in Galway, and the ILCA Ulsters in Whitehead.

Flying 15 UK Nationals

With 41 entries, the event delivered a competitive 10-race regatta. The National Yacht Club was represented by four partnerships. Shane McCarthy and Hugh McNally had a strong start to the event, scoring four top-10s early on and eventually settling in 9th overall. Tom Galvin and Cormac Bradley had a great final day, scoring their best race (a 3rd) to end their challenge 23rd.
David Mulvin and Ronan Beirne, as well as Niall and Laura Coleman, also competed.

RS Aero Europeans

8 races were completed in all 4 rigs over the course of the event. Three NYC sailors travelled to Carnac in Brittany to compete. Noel Butler had a very strong series in the 6 rig earning 5th overall with a series including a race win. Damien Dion also competed in the 6 rig finishing at a creditable 28th. Felix Dion tasted the RS Aero only a few weeks ago and continued his progress whilst racing. he finished his event with a race win and a second earning him 8th overall.

Fireball Westerns

With our two front runners of the last event away on other fronts, the opportunity to shine for others was too good to be missed. Youth 29er sailor Lisa Flynn teamed up with Cork sailor Chris Bateman and the tryout weekend ended up in success with the title secured after 6 races. Stephen Oram got himself an experienced helm to replace Noel Butler. Francis Cassidy certainly can still compete and the pair ended their challenge in 5th overall. In 10th overall Cariosa Power and Marie Barry won Silver fleet wrapping up a good weekend for the club sailors.

The NYC's Lisa Flynn teamed up with Cork sailor Chris Bateman for the Fireball Open in Galway Bay Photo: Frank Miller

ILCA Ulsters

Academy member Charlie Keating was NYC's sole representative at the event racing in the ILCA6 class. The conditions remained very light and only 4 races could be completed. He secured 7th overall.

Topper Southerns

The National YC ran a great event with great seabreeze. The NYC team may have missed the title but they showed the depth of the group taking the following 5 positions, Gemma Brady leading the group in 2nd, ahead of Kate Kenny, James Gorman (also top junior U14), Rory Brennan Hobbs and Grace Keating.

The National YC ran a great Topper event with great sea breeze

Other club sailors competing were Max Swan, Ruth Thomson, John Kenny. Jacob Browne and Jonathan Dempsey completed their first event. Louis Trickett, also on his first event, competed in the 4.2 rig scoring a creditable 3rd in race 4.

The longest day of the year certainly offered great sailing all around... Next stop, the RS fest in Lough Derg in July.

Saturday's National Yacht Club Regatta hosted 55 one design boats across nine classes on a separate course to the cruiser-racers for a day of competitive racing under Race Officer Con Murphy.

As Afloat reported earlier, the day started with a 6-10kt westerly breeze, setting the stage for a challenging day on Dublin Bay.

Stephan Hyde, helming SB20 Bad Kilcullen (3741) has the best start in Race 2 of the National Yacht Club Regatta Photo: Con Murphy

In the first race, the wind dropped suddenly, prompting a decision to shorten the race. As the boats were nearing the finish line, the wind unexpectedly shifted, turning the leg into a beat. However, the organisers swiftly adapted to the changing conditions, setting a new windward-leeward course in an 8-10kt southeasterly for the second race.

Dublin Bay 21 and Glen Class start in Race 1 of the National Yacht Club Regatta Photo: Con Murphy

The day saw the arrival of seven Howth 17s, which were given priority in the multi-fleet starting sequence.

Howth 17s start in the National Yacht Club Regatta Photo: Con Murphy

Despite the challenges, the wind held up nicely for the second race, providing intense and competitive racing with several very close finishes.

Howth 17 no 6 Anita - Frank Cassidy crossing the finish line in the National Yacht Club Regatta Photo: Con Murphy

The combination of modern and classic racing yachts on the same regatta course proved to be a great success according to Murphy, showcasing the diversity of the sport. 

SB20s had a close downwind finish in Race 2 of the National Yacht Club Regatta Photo: Con Murphy

Results below

Two wins from two races gave the host club's J109 'Something Else (John and Brian Hall) the overall win in Cruisers Onne IRC division at the National Yacht Club Regatta on Saturday.

Over 170 competing yachts in 32 classes competed in light and shifty north westerlies on Dublin Bay over a two-race programme.

Finishing second in the nine-boat IRC One fleet was Royal Irish rivals Richard & Timothy Goodbody sailing the J109 White Mischief. Third, in another J109, the National Yacht Club's Ruth was sailed by the Shanahan Family in their final preparation before the Round Ireland Race next Saturday.

Howth Yacht Club X-322 visitors Dux (Nico & Caroline Gore Grimes) won from Lindsay j Casey's J97 Windjammer from the Royal St. George Yacht Club in a three-boat IRC Two fleet. Eddie Bourke's  Xebec from Howth Yacht Club was third. 

Howth Yacht Club was also to the fore in Cruisers Three IRC, where Stephen Mullaney's Sigma 33 Insider topped the eight-boat fleet with two wins. Richard and Philip Lovegrove of the Royal St George Yacht Club were second in Sigma sistership, Rupert. In a one, two, three for the vintage Sigma design, Moonshine (Ronnie/David/Fergus Moloney/O'Flynn/O'Sullivan) of the Royal St George Yacht Club was third. 

In the one design divisions, Davie Nixon in Erica won the visiting seven-boat Howth 17 class.  

Austin Kenny's Royal Irish Yacht Club J80 won the seven-boat sportsboat class exclusively featuring J80s. 

There was another host club win in the nine-boat SB20s, with James Gorman's two second places in Black beating the Royal Irish's Jerry Dowling in Bad/Kilcullen by a point. Philip Doran's LoFly was third. 

Denis Bergin's Sir Ossis of the river from the Royal Irish Yacht Club won in a three-boat Dragon turnout.

Denis Bergin's Sir Ossis of the river from the Royal Irish Yacht Club crosses the downwind finish line  Photo: Con Murphy

Bucking the sub-ten keelboatclass turnout trend, the National Yacht Club's David Gorman won a 16-boat Flying Fifteen race in Fomo with a 1,2. Ken Dumpleton's Rodriguez was second with a 5,1, and Keith Poole's Mike Wasozki was third with a 4,4. 

More on the NYC regatta one design races here

As Afloat reported, the Water Wags NYC Regatta Race was held last Wednesday and won by the Kilroys in Swift.

Results in all classes are below

Following the success of the first of the four Dun Laoghaire Harbour waterfront yacht club regattas last Saturday (June 8th), where over 100 yachts competed in the DMYC's opening regatta of the 2024 summer season, next weekend (June 15th) is the National Yacht Club's turn to stage its biennial regatta.

As Afloat reported previously, The East Pier club promises an exciting day’s racing followed by 'amazing entertainment' onshore for the club highlight of the year.

National Yacht Club's 2024 regatta programme

As NYC's Susan Spain told Afloat, “Get your boat ready, line up your A team, encourage your fellow competitors in your class to enter, and may the best boats win!”

The Notice of Race, sailing instructions, online entry details and more can be found on the NYC website HERE.

When success is achieved in a team event, it can be difficult to highlight the individual who most contributed to the win. And with nine teams providing a total of 27 female-helmed boats to contest the Roy Family Trophy under the Women At The Helm initiative staged by the National YC in May, it was potentially a complex decision.

But the adjudicators have simplified it for themselves by deciding that it should go jointly to the three helms in the RIYC's team of Joan Sheffield, Katherine Sheehan and Catherine Day, in the understanding that their crew would be sharing the honours.

The Royal Irish Yacht Club White Sails Cruiser team of Just Jasmin (Joan Sheffield), Shearwater (Catherine Day) and Great Escape (Katherine Sheehan) were the winners of the Roy Family Perpetual Trophy for the best team performance at the Women At The Helm 2024 regatta held at Dun Laoghaire on Sunday. 

Nine teams of three boats with skippers from the same club were in the mix for the coveted prize, with the RIYC ladies coming out on top.

The Roy Family Trophy for the best team performance at the 2024 Women at the Helm Regatta went to (left to right) Joan Sheffield, Katherine Sheehan and Catherine Day, with DBSC Hon Sec  Rosemary Roy, wife of the late Jack Roy, the former President of Irish Sailing, who donated the Trophy in 2019 for the inaugural Women at the Helm Regatta and Vice Commodore NYC Rosemary Cadogan, Photo: Michael Chester  

A weekend of sailing activities on and off the water concluded with a gala prizegiving at the National Yacht Club for the SIA Partners-sponsored regatta hosted by NYC Commodore Peter Sherry.

Entries included sailors from Poolbeg, West Kirby, Mayo, and Dun Laoghaire.

The restored Dublin Bay 21 class raced as part of the 2024 Women at the Helm Regatta Photo: Michael Chester

In the cruisers spinnaker division, Royal Irish Yacht Club's 'Tracy Carey's J109 Riders on the Storm won overall with 11 points from Jill Roy's sistership Ruth from NYC on 15.

Joan Sheffield's Bavaria 35 Just Jasmin from the Royal Irish Yacht Club won the White Sails division from clubmate Catherine Day in the Dehler 36 Shearwater. 

2024 Women at the Helm Regatta Photo Gallery by Michael Chester

The National YC's Charlotte O'Kelly won the sportsboat division on six points in an SB20, two ahead of Jill Fleming's Flying Fifteen on eight. 

West Kirby Sailing Club's Liz Potter won the Portsmouth yardstick dinghy section in a Devoti Devoti Dzero on five points. Second was Shirley Gilmore in an ILCA 6 on 7.

In addition to racing, the annual event encouraged friends, family, sailors, and non-sailors to come to NYC and get involved. 

Ciara O’Sullivan (16) was the youngest sailor at the 2024 Women at the Helm Regatta and is pictured with Vice Commodore NYC, Rosemary Cadogan Photo: Michael Chester

The event began on Friday, May 24th, with a motivational speaker supper featuring Olympic sailing silver medallist Annalise Murphy, solo offshore sailor Joan Mulloy and former RTÉ broadcaster and sailing enthusiast Bryan Dobson.

There was a BBQ, live music, and a drinks reception for competitors after racing on Saturday, and food and refreshments were available after sailing on Sunday as well as the event prize-giving.

"It was a fabulous weekend both on and off the water", Ann Kirwan told Afloat.

Race Officers Mairead NiCheallachain (keelboats) and Suzanne McGarry (dinghies) held briefings for the 41 competing boats. 28 keelboats and 13 dinghies raced in the DBSC race on Saturday afternoon, over three races on each of the two race courses on Sunday. In addition, 22 Water Wag dinghies will now race next Wednesday, May 29th, due to the strong wind cancellation on May 22nd. 

Cruiser results are below, and use this link for results for other classes

Listen to Ann Kirwan in an Afloat podcast on the forthcoming Women at the Helm Regatta 2024 here 

2024 Women at the Helm Regatta Prizegiving Photo Gallery by Michael Chester