Dublin Bay Serves Up Perfect Sailing Conditions for Day Three of Irish Youth Championships

26th April 2025

Afloat.ie Team

Competitors start an ILCA race on Dublin Bay during day three of the Irish Sailing Youth National Championships Credit: Tadhg O Braonain

Day three of the Irish Sailing Youth National Championships off Dun Laoghaire featured excellent sailing conditions on Dublin Bay. Blue skies and a building breeze allowed all fleets to race, catching up on previously missed events.

Three races were held in the Optimist class. The Donagh sisters—Maeve, Emily, and Lily—led the fleet, taking first, second, and third places, respectively. They were closely followed by Charlotte Crosbie and Dylan Sullivan. In the 420 fleet, Isha Duggan and Tommy Hiras maintained their lead after three races. Cora McNaughton and Sean Cronin are close behind, with Margherita Ruggari and Matt Mappleback in third.

The 29er fleet also enjoyed the conditions with full participation. Emily Conan and Fionn Daly secured the top spot overall, followed by William Walsh and Eoin Byrne in second.

In the ILCA 4 fleet, Leo O’Doherty moved from third to first, pushing Emily MacAfee into second place. Rory Brennan-Hobbs now sits in third, with only five points separating the top four sailors.

The ILCA 6 fleet saw Bobby Driscoll and Daniel Palmer maintain their lead. Lucy Ives remains in third position, and all eyes will be on tomorrow’s races.

The Toppers completed four races, with Ben McCaldin leading the fleet. John Kenny follows in second, while Alexandra Eadie’s win in her last race places her third overall.

Sean Evans, Irish Sailing Development Manager, remarked, “Today was refreshing with impressive performances. Many fleets are still tight at the top, promising exciting racing tomorrow.”

The final day of racing will be held at the Royal St George Yacht Club, culminating in a prizegiving ceremony for the Youth National Champions.

420, 29er and ILCA 6 Fleets results are below. Optimists results are here. Toppers and ILCA 4 Fleets are here

Race Results

You may need to scroll vertically and horizontally within the box to view the full results

Published in Irish Sailing, Laser, Topper, Optimist, 420, 29er, RStGYC, Youth Sailing

Published in Irish Sailing

Tagged under

youth sailing

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Irish Sailing

The Irish Sailing Association, also known as Irish Sailing, is the national governing body for sailing, powerboating and windsurfing in Ireland.

Founded in 1945 as the Irish Dinghy Racing Association, it became the Irish Yachting Association in 1964 and the Irish Sailing Association in 1992.

Irish Sailing is a Member National Authority (MNA) of World Sailing and a member of the Olympic Federation of Ireland.

The Association is governed by a volunteer board, elected by the member clubs. Policy Groups provide the link with members and stakeholders while advising the Board on specialist areas. There is a professional administration and performance staff, based at the headquarters in Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin.

Core functions include the regulation of sailing education, administering racing and selection of Irish sailors for international competition. It is the body recognised by the Olympic Federation of Ireland for nominating Irish qualified sailors to be considered for selection to represent Ireland at the Olympic Games. Irish sailors have medalled twice at the Olympics – David Wilkins and Jamie Wikinson at the 1980 games, and Annalise Murphy at the 2016 games.

The Association, through its network of clubs and centres, offers curriculum-based training in the various sailing, windsurfing and powerboating disciplines. Irish Sailing qualifications are recognised by Irish and European Authorities. Most prominent of these are the Yachtmaster and the International Certificate of Competency.

It runs the annual All-Ireland Championships (formerly the Helmsman’s Championship) for senior and junior sailors.

The Association has been led by leading lights in the sailing and business communities. These include Douglas Heard, Clayton Love Junior, John Burke and Robert Dix.

Close to 100 sailors have represented Ireland at the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Membership of Irish Sailing is either by direct application or through membership of an affiliated organisation. The annual membership fee ranges from €75 for families, down to €20 for Seniors and Juniors.