National Yacht Club Winter sailing programmes have been full throttle in the various classes supported by the club, preparing actively for the beginning of the racing season.

The Flying 15 winter training has led the way with an early launch every Saturday and Sunday morning, alternating self-training with sessions including video support. Two of the four teams training have been reunited with their boat in Perth, Australia and have just passed the world championship's halfway mark. After nine races, John Lavery and Alan Green lead Irish hopes in 15th overall.

The Optimist fleet has been training hard with a mix of special clinics led by the club Head coach and regular Saturday afternoon training under the guidance of club coach Conor Gorman. The OptiOrange event in Valencia, Spain, was the perfect opportunity to test progress in a very competitive 450 boats international fleet (over 25 nations competing). 10 sailors from NYC flew to Valencia to compete in the 12 races series. The Irish Fleet, in general, has a lot of work left to do to climb back international ranks, however, progress was noted with Gemma Brady securing a comfortable top-half finish and Hannah Walsh just about missing out on that top half for a final event in an Optimist. She will be joined in her transition into a youth boat by Lucas Browne who finished what was somewhat a tough event with his two best races on the final day.

Ten sailors from the National Yacht Club flew to the OptiOrange event in Valencia, Spain to compete in the 12 races series

The 29er fleet had a few sessions under the leadership of Tadgh Donnelly before heading to Weymouth (venue of the next worlds) for a UK Grand Prix. Ryanair cancellations and bad weather made it for a challenging weekend as some sailors travelled by road and others by air. No Irish partnerships managed a full series because the flights were delayed by almost 24 hours. The UK 29er class was very accommodating and we could recombine partnerships to optimise our time on site. Lauren O'Callaghan and Ethan Spain partnered up for the first three races on Saturday (and took the lead in the mixed category) before their own partners eventually arrived. The rest of the team could complete the last race on Saturday before completing the full series on Sunday. Ben O'Shaugnessy and Ethan Spain eventually found the extra gear they were missing to win the final race.

Third event in a row for head coach Thomas Chaix with the Topper winters in Lough Derg. It certainly felt like winter with polar temperatures, strong winds and rain. Eight NYC sailors, including four newbies, competed in the four races series. Ella Fitzgerald felt a bit rusty not having sailed her Topper for a while, and settled with 10th overall in the 55 boats fleet. The club sailors collected 2 minor prizes with Kate Molloy 3rd lady junior (Hannah Walsh 4th and Grace Keating 5th) and Lucas Browne 3rd boy junior, for his first event. Our youngest member ten year old Ava Molly, was competing in the 4.2 rig fleet completing race three despite the bitter cold.

We are now focusing on the last couple of weekends' training prior to the Youth nationals, where our ILCA4, ILCA6, Topper, 29er and Optimist sailors will compete.

The latest update regarding Schools team racing is that the Leinster Schools Team Racing Championships, which took place on Sunday the 12th of March in the National Yacht Club was an outstanding success considering some challenging wind shifts and speed, writes Eunice Kennedy

As Afloat reported previously, 18 teams signed up for the event, but unfortunately, one team had to drop out due to unexpected circumstances.

18 teams signed up for the event making it a Leinster Schools Team Racing Championships record in Dun Laoghaire Photo: Michael Chester

On Sunday morning, Race Officer David Bolger took to the water at 09.10, where he laid an S-shaped sailing course with his team of excellent mark layers. Wind speed was flickering between 4 to 7 knots and was from the South East. They were some close racing, and Rule 42 came to the fore with a few red flags for breaches of this rule. Mark rounding was also very interesting, with close calls for mark contact. 

At 12 noon, the wind dropped, and we were becalmed, which resulted in a race being abandoned at mark 1 to the delight of the losing team, who had a 4th, 5th and 6th position.

At approximately 12.25, the wind gradually started to fill in from the southwest, and the average wind speed increased to between 12 and 17 knots. It was accompanied by a number of squalls whose wind speed was 22 to 24 knots, right in the wind limit range. Thankfully the boats had been sent out with their storm sails as we carefully watched the weather forecast and were aware that it was due to get gusty from 13.00. True to form, it did so, and no time was lost in sending the boats ashore to swap from full rig to storm rig.

David Bolger, who is exemplary at completing Round Robins for us to go to Knock Outs, considering the wind shifts, accomplished this task. Just as well as there was a 3-way tie on 100% scores by St. Andrews College teams one, two and three, with Holy Child Killiney 1 on 75% race wins in 4th.

A draw took place to determine what teams would race against each other in the semi-finals.

St. Andrews 1 faced off against St. Andrews 3, and Holy Child Killiney1 faced off against St. Andrews 2.

The format was the best of 3 races. St. Andrews 1 and St. Andrews 2 were the victors, with two wins each against their opponents. This left Holy Child Killiney 1 to face off against St. Andrews 3 to determine the 3rd and 4th placed boats. Lo and behold, the wind proceeded to drop, and we were running out of time according to our schedule so the Finals and Petite Finals were a do-or-die race.

St. Andrews 1 was the victor over St. Andrews 2, thereby winning the Leinster Schools Team Racing Championships. St. Andrews 2 was second, and Holy Child Killiney 1 an all-girl team, beat St. Andrews 3 to take 3rd.

The top six teams in the event now go forward to compete in the Irish Schools Team Racing Championships which will take place in the Royal St. George Yacht Club on the 29th and 30th of April.

A huge thanks are attributed to Rebecca Hall and her wonderful team of volunteers for their first time running a Team Racing Event. The Irish Schools Team Racing Association is delighted with the result, as the competitors had a great day of racing and lots of fun ashore between their races. The competitors were exemplary with their good behaviour both on and off the water, and we express our Thanks as it enhanced the running of the event. We wish the six qualifying teams the best of luck at the Irish Schools Team Racing Championships.

Our thanks go to Vincent Delany and Harriet Emerson for their on-the-water umpiring, Declan Traynor and James Traynor, our on water Safety Officers, David Bolger and his team of volunteers on the Start Boat, the Finish Boat Team, Mark Layers, Keith Start the Beach Master and his team of volunteers, Dara Totterdell and Kevin Doyle on Results, Sandra Moore and her Race Office Team, the Change Over Rib volunteers, Hal and Aido for acting as Bosuns, the School Representatives who looked after their teams and assisted with the running of the event.

Round the World yachtsmen and women, international skiff performers, Olympians, youth sailors, photographers and outstanding acts of bravery were all applauded on Saturday night at the National Yacht Club Awards at Dun Laoghaire Harbour on Dublin Bay. 

In one of the highlights of the club year, National Yacht Club Commodore Conor O'Regan presented thirteen annual prizes for outstanding sailing achievements in 2022.

The National Yacht Club's Boyne Regatta Cup - for best performance in offshore racing of the year went to Gavin Doyle for his first place in the RORC Channel Race, third RORC Cherbourg Race and fifth in RORC Season Points Championship racing both double-handed and with a crew of three. Doyle's mother, Pamela, received the trophy on his behalf from National Yacht Club Commodore Conor O'Regan Photo: Michael Chester

The winner of the National Yacht Club's Concorde Plate was Andrew Irvin for his participation in the SSE Airtricity Round Ireland Race 2022 onboard the Under-25 Figaro 3, 'Luzern eComm U25' Photo: Michael Chester

The National Yacht Club's O'Leary Cup - for the best performance of the year in one design sailing went to Rio 2016 Olympian Finn Lynch For a great year filled with success campaigning in the ILCA 7 Class, which saw him ranked second in the World during 2022. Commodore Conor O'Regan presented the trophy. Pictured also is Eline Flotoft Elnan  Photo: Michael Chester

 The National Yacht Club's John Byrne Memorial Trophy - for the most significant contribution to sailing in NYC during the year - was won by Michael Chester for giving his photographic skills for many years to the club. Photo: Frank Burgess

The National Yacht Club's Edward Yacht Club Trophy – for best performance of the year in dinghies, Mermaids or Flying Fifteens, was won by Clementine (pictured) and Nathan Van Steenberge for their performance as the most successful NYC skiff crew in years on the International circuit (29er season with sister Clementine): Results include Bronze at 49er U23 Europeans, Silver at 29er EUrocup ranking (crowns a season achievements) - 1st mixed team, Silver at 29er Eurocup finals in Italy (Gold Mixed), Bronze at 29er Hungarian Eurocup (Gold Mixed) 9th at 29er French Eurocup (Gold mixed), 17th at 29er Europeans (Silver in mixed), 22nd at 29er Worlds (Bronze in mixed)" Photo: Michael Chester

The National Yacht Club's Winkelmann Trophy – for Cadet of the year was presented by Adam Winkelmann to Ethan Spain for the most successful skiff crew at home. Results include: 29er national champion (with helm Ben O'Shaughnessy), 29er silver at Irish youth nationals (helm Johnny Flynn), winner of the skiff west event, winner of Double Ree (helm Lauren O'Callaghan) and internationally; 8th at the 29er Eurocup finals, 37th at the 29er worlds and 15th at 29er Kiel week Photo: Michael Chester

The National Yacht Club's Greystones 1892 Regatta Cup - for the team who represented the club with distinction went to the teams at the Women at the Helm Regatta 2022, Team Mabajo - Ann Kirwan & Crew (Bandit), Helen Cooney & Crew (Joy Ride) and Cathy MacAleavy & Crew (Mariposa) Photo: Michael Chester

The National Yacht Club's Paul Murphy Cup - for the sailing management volunteer of the year was awarded to Richard Staveley for providing Luna Lady, his Bavaria 43 cruising yacht, for countless events as a Committee boat as well as his time and good company Photo: Michael Chester

 For the best cruise of the year, the National Yacht Club's Township Cup went to Liam and Ruth Shanahan for their adventure across the Atlantic in the ARC 2021 and continued to the Oyster Round the World Rally. Pictured are Richard Cullen, Liam and Ruth Shanahan, and Guy Kilroy with Commodore Conor O'Regan Photo: Photo: Michael Chester

The National Yacht Club's Martin Crotty Trophy Award - for a younger Member who shows sailing endeavour - went to Tadgh Donnelly for helming his SB20 'Leviathan' to 11th overall and third-best Irish boat in the SB20 Worlds 2022, including scoring 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the 12 races constituting the Championships held on Dublin Bay Photo: Michael Chester 

The National Yacht Club Muglins Cup - for the most interesting family cruise was won by Simon and Carolyn Thornton and their son Mathew for their Greek family cruise during the Summer of 2022 around the Halkidiki Region in Northeastern Greece on their Hanse 34. Photo: Michael Chester

The National Yacht Club Wild Geese Trophy - for the Overseas member who performs best in racing or distinguishes himself/herself in sailing. This year the prize went to Mark O'Connor for his highly successful first season in a Mini 6.50 on the notoriously competitive French circuit. Pictured is his Mum, Clodagh O'Connor, with Commodore Conor O'Regan and Adam Winkelmann Photo: Michael Chester 

The National Yacht Club Sue McDonnell Trophy - for the female club member who has contributed most to the advancement of women in sailing was won by Ann Kirwan. For many years Ann has furthered diversity and inclusion in the club and the wider sailing community for women in sailing as Commodore of DBSC and in her support of the Women at the Helm Regatta. Pictured with Commodore Conor O'Regan with Ann Kirwan is Sue Mc Donnell's daughter Fiona Photo: Michael Chester 

The National Yacht Club Totterdell Trophy - for the member who has contributed most to promoting and developing the Laser class in the club. Rodney Regan Rodney has always turned up in great humour for Laser sailing, training and racing, no matter what. Though he has been hugely committed to sailing, he is always ready to help and support other sailors whenever possible. Over the last many weeks, Rodney has written a detailed and humorous post-training blog / debrief. All the Laser and Aero sailors enjoy that! Pictured are Ed Totterdell, Rodney Regan and Commodore Conor O'Regan Photo: Michael Chester

Tim Bourke for running the Adult Sail Training programme 2022. This proved highly successful with existing members and added massive value to their membership. It has also attracted significant interest from prospective new members. (Pictured is Flor with Commodore) Photo: Michael Chester

The National Yacht Club's Commodore's Cup was won by the Dublin Bay 21 Class table. Fionán DeBarra and Hal Sisk Fionán kept a dream alive to restore the Dublin Bay 21 Fleet despite the many setbacks and hurdles over 37 years. While others, particularly Hal Sisk, are key to the fleet revival, Fionán's passion, perseverance, loyalty and ultimate custodianship of this unique class finally paid off with the relaunching of Naneen, Garavogue and Estelle and the great 1st season of racing in 2022. Work continues on the remaining four boats in the fleet, with Geraldine nearing completion and the frames of two more boats ready for assembly. Photo: Michael Chester

Jack Hall, Hal Fitzgerald, John Duffy and Nicola Ferguson for their outstanding display of courage and selfless act of bravery in reacting to an incident over the summer. Pictured are John Duffy and Jack Hall with Commodore Conor O'Regan Photo: Michael Chester 

National Yacht Club members at Dun Laoghaire Harbour took their annual Christmas Eve swim this morning.

Open to members and non-members (for a small entry fee), the icy plunge is held annually in aid of good causes and attracts a big crowd in the east coast port.

This year the NYC dippers raised funds for Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin.

As Afloat previously reported, the swim takes place from the club's pontoon with Santa also getting in on the act.

Light social “light refreshments” are served afterwards.

John Corcoran is the man behind the NYC fundraising for the Hospital.

"Crumlin does incredible work and appreciates not just the funds but our display of support for their vital work", he said.

National Yacht Club Christmas Eve Swim Photo Gallery by Michael Chester

The forecast was encouraging after a few weekends of tough conditions with cancelled and postponed training sessions for the various National Yacht Club squads at Dun Laoghaire Harbour on Dublin Bay.

Saturday was certainly delivered with cool yet lovely 8-12 kts wind conditions from the East; Sunday proposed another type of challenge with blustery, wet and cold conditions!

The weekend had a special clinic led by the club head coach in store for the Optimist group. The focus was on boat handling, rules management and tactics in crowded spaces. The perfect conditions on Saturday allowed the programme to go ahead with many short videos taken to enhance learning. Sunday, however, forced on the group a plan B, starting with a shore-based workshop before heading afloat for a high-octane windy session.

Optimist sailor (1607) Hannah Walsh of the National Yacht Club Photo: Nicola Ferguson 

The single-handers enjoyed two great sessions managed by James Delaney before gathering for a social evening in the dining room. A couple of Aeros, however, elected to race the INSS super series races in the morning. Early rise for the head coach, who took the opportunity to try out an Aero 7 on the first three races before heading back to shore to get the Optimist clinic underway. NYC's Noel Butler wrapped up the series with a comprehensive lead overall.

The Toppers were set to sail on the Sunday but Hugh O'Connor readjusted his session to the conditions, only taking one boat out and performing regular swaps between the sailors.

The final 29er weekend of the year was a great success with six teams put through their pace on both days (some fast and furious sailing on Sunday) under the leadership of NYC coach Tadgh Donnelly and Olympic hopeful Seafra Guilfoyle.

The annual NYC Junior Awards Ceremony occurred at the National Yacht Club on Saturday, 26th November. The awards night is when NYC juniors traditionally take over the club.

This is when the achievements of our juniors in summer courses and in National and international events are acknowledged marking the end of the junior sailing season.

In addition, the evening is an opportunity to thank all our instructors and assistant instructors for their great work over the summer and to acknowledge the huge effort they make in ensuring that our young sailors have a fun summer course whilst nurturing a lifelong love of sailing in a safe environment.

The National Yacht Club is packed by junior sailors for the awards evening at Dun Laoghaire Harbour

It is also an event when parents can get together. Last Saturday, the JB room was buzzing with relaxed parents, whilst upstairs the dining room was filled with our juniors.

The evening started for the juniors with spot prizes, followed by dinner for both juniors and parents. After the meal, our instructors organised a table quiz with prizes to let the relaxation last a bit longer for the parents. And to finish, there was a selection box for ‘everyone in the audience’ to start the Christmas festivities.

Thanks to all the staff of NYC, especially John and Cormac, for their support in hosting over 100 juniors upstairs and 60 parents downstairs. It was a seamless production. 

The National Yacht Club instructors with Commodore Conor O'Regan (right)

The awards ceremony then began with a total of 137 recipients receiving prizes. We celebrated our juniors’ performance in summer courses to Optimist, Topper, ILCA (formerly Laser), Feva and 29er Fleets in National and international events. In addition, we awarded special individual awards. We also recognised our SI Nicola Ferguson and Assistant SI Clare Gorman for their huge efforts this summer, together with all our NYC instructors and assistants. The final part of the ceremony was the trophy ceremony to present special awards to sailors across the Junior Section.

The list of the prizes winners is below.

The evening wrapped up with a raffle in aid of the RNLI and PIETA House, in which we raised €1000. Thank you to Aoife Hofler for organising the raffle and super prizes from our sponsors:

• RTE
• Viking Marine
• Mediacentral
• Spotify
• The Irish Times
• Keogh’s

Thanks to our head coach Thomas Chaix for all the organising and support he has contributed to our Junior Section since his appointment and for stepping in as main photographer at the award ceremony.

Thanks also to all the Junior Committee for ensuring our young sailors had a great 2022.

Happy Christmas and here’s to a happy and healthy 2023.

Rebecca Hall, NYC Junior Organiser

PART I: Summer Course 2022 Achievement Awards

• Most Improved Taste of Sailing – Aveline Gaffney, Elodie Chapman
• Most Improved Start Sailing – Albane Rouillon, Freddy Hofler
• Most Improved Basic Skills – Michael O’Brien, Aodh J Carty, Charles Collenette, Isabelle Byrne
• Most Improved Improving Skills – Louis Trickett, Lara Fitzpatrick
• Most Improved Advanced Boat Handling – Jamie Kirrane, Mark O’Meara
• Most Improved Racing – Daniel McDaid, Ethan Verling
• Most Improved Adventure – Siofra O’Donnell, Clarissa Byrnes
• Most Improved J80s – Peadar Doyle, Oisin Alexander, Minnie Mansfield
• Most Improved Feva Helms and Crews – Leonardo Errico, Zara Whelan, Finn Collins, Clodagh Denn, Caoilfhionn Denn
• Most Improved Toppers – Hugo Farrington, Ben Doherty, Rory Brennan Hobbs

PART II: Trophy Ceremony

OPTIMIST FLEET

Junior Optimist Fleet

3rd Prize – James Gorman

2nd Prize – Basile Dion

1st Prize, Cullen Cup – Johnathan Dempsey (1st Ranked NYC sailor)

Senior Optimist Fleet

3rd Prize - Hannah Walsh

2nd Prize - Louise Hanley

1st Prize, Ferguson Cup – Felix Dion – Highest ranked NYC sailor

Regatta fleet: Optimist sailors that we should keep an eye on next year

• Aurele Dion
• Jacob Brown
• Michael Hanley
• Louise Trickett
• Felicia De Vreeze

FEVA FLEET

3rd Prize – Peadar Doyle and Senan Corry (3rd Silver Fleet in Nationals)

2nd Prize – Lizzie Hall and James Hall (1st Silver Fleet Nationals)

1st Prize, Double Hander Trophy (Feva) (Plaque) – Theo Madigan and Cathal O’Regan (6th Gold Fleet in Nationals)

TOPPER FLEET

3rd Place – Lizzie Hall

2nd Place – James Hall

1st Place, Cooney Cup (Topper Trophy) – Ella Fitzgerald

LASER 4.7 Trophy (Donal Loghlan O’Sullivan Cup)

Dylan De Vreeze

LASER RADIAL Fleet

3rd Place – Zoe Hall

2nd Place – Benjamin Reeser

1st Place, Lynch Cup (Laser Radial Trophy) – Sam Ledoux

29 FLEET

van Steenberge Cup (29er Trophy) – Ben O Shaughnessy and Ethan Spain

Recognition awards for their achievements this season in 29er Fleet for

Lauren O’Callaghan and Clementine van Steenberge

29er skiff sailor Clementine van Steenberge receives the Cathy MacAleavey Trophy from National Yacht Club Commodore Conor O'Regan

Cathy McAleavey Trophy

This award is given to the sailor that has achieved the most in 2022

Clementine van Steenberge (29er).

PART III: AWARDS to sailors who went above and beyond in 2022

Shanahan Cup (The most helpful assistant and TY sailor 2022)

Conor Staunton

McDonald Trophy (The most helpful Junior during the summer courses)

James Walsh

A stand-alone award this year was the Rickard Cup which was awarded to two instructors in recognition of their selfless act of bravery in reacting to an incident over the summer. The two sailors demonstrated qualities that we would all hope to have and live by. We are so proud to have these sailors on our NYC team of instructors; their actions were truly heroic.

Rickard Cup for Bravery

Hal Fitzgerald and John Duffy

Special recognition also to

Jack Hall and Nicola Ferguson

These were a group of instructors whose actions demonstrated maturity beyond their years

A windy winter weekend at Dun Laoghaire Harbour led to the cancellation of some sailing events, including the third round of the DMYC's dinghy Frostbites Series. If some of the National Yacht Club training activities were cancelled or postponed due to the heavy forecast in store, the more experienced sailors completed their sessions and enjoyed some fast sailing despite cold hands and feet.

Elliott Match Racing

Saturday's forecast was slow enough to materialise, allowing great match racing practice on the Elliotts. Two boats were set, and crews were working hard on the East side of the harbour to deliver the perfect "crush" off the start.

Optimist club squad

The Optimist club squad headed out to enjoy the waves and practice their downwind techniques. The skiffs (49erFX and 29ers) followed them out for a solid session in the Bay.

Coach James Delaney had also two great sessions with the adult single-handers and the juniors ILCA4 and six sailors, keeping him busy for the full day.

Sunday morning, the wind had gone west and got somewhat stronger (DBSC Turkey shoot racers recorded gusts above 30 kts).

Many planned sessions were cancelled or reverted to shore-based workshops.

29ers

The Performance 29ers ventured out for a two-hour session in big breeze. It was fast and furious with heart rate staying high, gybes never fully safe and certainly pushing speed polars to their edges.
Two gold fleet optimist sailors completed a solid session in the afternoon with coach Nicola Ferguson working on their big breeze techniques.

Big breeze gybing technique in a 29er skiff at Dun Laoghaire Harbour

Dun Laoghaire harbour is a great place in marginal conditions with enough space within the safety of the walls and close to recovery slips.

29er skiff at Dun Laoghaire Harbour

The NYC club programmes are now well underway, and sailors have their eyes set on the next objectives already.

Back to the "normality" of Winter training and frostbite racing on the National Yacht Club platform, although the lively weather kept all sailors on their toes for some exciting sailing in and out of the harbour walls.

Club training

Toppers, Optimists and ILCAs were on the deck with their respective coaches polishing their big-breeze skills in short and effective sessions.

National Yacht Club ILCAs sailing at Dun Laoghaire Harbour

29er clinic

NYC coach Tadgh Donnelly and Olympic squad 49er sailor Seafra Guilfoyle ran their second 29er Open weekend. Many videos were taken in fast and tight drills progressing the sailors' skills. Club training will return next weekend so the newly learnt skills can be practised.

Frostbites

The match between the RS Aeros and the Fireballs continued with one windy race completed. The aeros are staying on top with yet another win for NYC ace Noel Butler as Afloat reports here.

135 young sailors aged 7 to 15 gathered in Lough Derg YC, Dromineer, for the Annual IODAI Optimist national Training week, three days of coaching and fun followed by the final event of the year, the Hallowe'en cup incorporating the Crosbie cup, a long-standing perpetual trophy dedicated to the Silver and bronze fleet sailors.

23 National Yacht Club young sailors made the journey and enjoyed the training in various groups under the guidance of a mix of International coaches and Irish-based coaches. NYC Optimist coach Conor Gorman was part of the Gold fleet team. NYC coaches also had fair representation in the Regatta fleet support, with Cillian Madigan leading a team of younger instructors, including 29er aces Lauren O'Callaghan and Ethan Spain, freshly returned from the Italian Eurocup, but also some future talent in the club coaching panel Ella Dempsey and Ellen Madigan.

The clinic was led by Thomas Chaix, the club's head coach.

The first day saw stormy conditions, and the gold fleet ventured out. Capsizes and surfing led to big smiles and heroes' stories back ashore. The remaining sailors worked on various shore-based drills.

Feast or Famine! The fan was switched off for the rest of the week, leading to some calmer conditions, even too calm at times. It certainly allowed everyone a comfortable time afloat training and preparing for the Halloween cup.

Regatta day delivered an awesome forecast with sunshine and a gentle 6-10kts Southerly breeze.

The 95-boat main fleet headed outside Dromineer bay and raced four full-size excellent races whilst The 47-boat regatta fleet battled just a few 100 metres from the marina giving the parents a great spectacle ashore.

NYC sailors were on fire, winning six out of the eight categories, including the coveted Halloween cup.

Regatta Fleet
1st: Josephine Dion.

Regatta Racing Fleet
1st: Louis Tryckett
2nd: Michael Hanley

Junior Bronze
1st Aurèle Dion
2nd Alex Butcher
3rd Jacob Browne

Junior Silver
1st Basile Dion

Junior Gold
3rd James Gorman

Senior Bronze
1st Max Neary

Senior Gold
1st Gemma Brady

Special mention must to NYC Crosbie cup racers in the top positions - it was a near miss on count back For 9-year-old Aurèle in the 65-boat fleet

• 2nd Aurèle Dion
• 3rd Basile Dion
• 4th Alex Butcher
• 6th Jacob Browne
• 7th Max Neary
• 18th Jonathan Dempsey

The sailors will now return to the regular club programme and try to apply and practice the lessons of the week.

ILCA Training

Meanwhile, in Dun Laoghaire, NYC's ILCA group had a great session on Saturday under the leadership of Coach James Delaney. The Argentinian drill was the highlight of a great day afloat for the group.

Viking Marine DMYC Frostbites

The DMYC Frostbites series started on Sunday with many dinghy sailors from NYC attending. The Aeros started well in the PY fleet, with NYC Noel Butler scoring a solid 2-1 and taking the lead. Stephen Oram 6-3 was good enough to place him in 3rd.

The final 29er skiff dinghy Eurocup of the year always attracts the cream of the fleet. Once more, with 153 entries from 20 countries, the event proved to be very competitive and can easily be considered the 'Autumn Europeans'.

Three National Yacht Club partnerships made the journey to Italy and competed over the four days. After a strong qualifying series of six races securing many top results, all three teams qualified in the Gold fleet.

The best was, however, yet to come.

The Van Steenberge siblings, Clementine and Nathan, regularly finished inside the top 10 (12 out of 13 races), including a race win in the final race climbed them into second overall and top mixed team.

The National Yacht Club's Van Steenberge siblings competing in the 29er Eurocup final on Lake Garda

This outstanding performance wraps up a superb international season rewarded by a second place overall (and top mixed) in the Eurocup yearly rankings.

Nathan had a particularly successful month with three medals at the three events attended (Hungarian 29er Eurocup 3rd, 49er U23 Europeans 3rd and now the Euro Cup finals 2nd).

Ben O'Shaugnessy and crew Ethan Spain had an impressive catch-up, securing eighth overall. Lauren O'Callaghan and Crew James Dwyer had just an hour together the day prior to the event. They certainly sailed like a seasoned partnership to take 12th overall, including a race win in the Gold fleet and snatching second Mixed from the German opposition in the final race.

At home

National Yacht Club Optimist sailing at Dun Laoghaire Harbour

Sailing activities have returned to the National Yacht Club platform after the cruiser lift out with Optimist, Feva, Topper and ILCA coaches running successful sessions afloat in great conditions.

The focus is to secure solid boat handling sessions whilst Europe is still enjoying some kind of Indian summer and before winter eventually settles.

The INSS Super Sprint Series was launched with NYC sailors taking part in the Aero and Feva fleets.

An open 29er clinic also ran from the club. The sailors enjoyed two great days under the guidance of NYC coach Tadgh Donnely and Olympic hopeful Seafra Guilfoyle.