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The Laser dinghy league was run over the three consecutive Saturdays during the National Yacht Club, Royal Irish Yacht Club and Royal St. George YC Regattas.

A total of 28 Lasers participated over the 6 races – 16 in the standard Laser rig and 12 in the Laser Radial rig. 

The largest fleet of 23 Lasers competed on the last Saturday in a challenging but rewarding course off Seapoint in Dublin Bay.

"A total of 28 Lasers participated over the six races"

The hour-long races provided great racing for all levels with great competition and provided a great experience for some newcomers to the fleet.

Overall Results: 

RADIAL RIG FLEET

  1. Sean Craig
  2. Judy O’Beirne
  3. Shirley Gilmore

STANDARD RIG FLEET

  1. Ronan Wallace
  2. Ross O’Leary
  3. Eoin Delap

In the Awards section of the prizegiving, BEST NEWCOMER went to Ali Robinson, MOST IMPROVED went to Richard Tate and BEST ATTITUDE went to Michael Delaney!

Ross o leary shirley gilmoreThere were a range of prizes presented for the inaugural league

The most Coveted Award for the Best ‘FEIC UP CUP’ went to Marc Coakley, with Theo Lyttle and Damian Maloney not far behind.

  1. Marc Coakley – for launching the wrong boat from the dinghy park – Marc was just about to push off the slip when he realised he launched some kids 4.7 rigged Laser while his own STD Laser was still on its launching trolley in the dinghy park!
  2. Theo Lyttle – for mixing up his 'Port' and 'Starboard' and hitting a few boats on the racecourse on one Saturday. ‘Jetlag’ was the excuse as he had an expensive evening buying apology pints.
  3. Damian Maloney – for the most spectacular downwind capsize you will ever see in 8 knots of wind on the last Saturday racing! But he rebounded with a spectacular bullet in the following race.

DBSC Laser fleet race on Tuesday evenings during the summer with training on Sunday morning for newcomers. Open to new and returning Laser sailors – it provides great racing for all levels and regular training that suits all abilities.

Thanks to the NYC, RIYC and RstGeorge YC for supporting the Laser League initiative.

Full results can be found here

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In a month, where Irish Laser sailors are celebrating a U21 World bronze medal, the Class returns to Howth Yacht Club for an open event after a long absence. HYC will host this two-day event which kicks off on Saturday 21st July.

For the almost 40 sailors competing in HYC's own Frostbite Series, it will be a welcome change to enjoy some Howth racing in warm conditions! Race management will be of the usual high standard with PRO David Lovegrove and team in charge. The race area is second to none, with a short sail to the race track between Ireland's Eye and Lambay Island which typically offers perfect downwind wave conditions for the Laser and fair winds across the course.

Howth boasts several very talented contenders, some of whom should feature on the leaderboards

Although the competition will be of the highest calibre, Howth boasts several very talented contenders, some of whom should feature on the leaderboards so watch out for Crawford, Hopkins, McEvoy, McMahon, and Wallace. Of note is Ewan McMahon in the Standard Rig and Aoife Hopkins in the Radial rig. Both are aspiring Olympic candidates and this event is a great warm-up before the World Championships in Aarhus, Demark in August.

As this is one of the last championship events for the Masters sailors before the World Championships in Dun Laoghaire, competition for the coveted ‘first master’ will be fierce. As some places are still available for the World Championships, and the entry deadline for the event is August 1st, this event may also be a final chance for Irish Laser Masters to qualify for the big event in early September. Given the number of Masters sailors in Howth, this could be a prime opportunity to get a late place. There may not be another Laser Masters Worlds in Ireland for 20 years!

Shortly after racing there will be a BBQ to help refuel competitors and give everyone time to catch up and recall the events of the day.

The event has several sponsors which will ensure some great prizes and après sailing. So a much-appreciated thank you goes to BKS - Brendan O’Brien, CH Marine, CraftInsure, Investwise – Dave Quinn and MDM – Jim and Tom McMahon for supporting this event.

Early entry cost is €50 and is available until midnight on 13th July. Full entry cost of €75 will then apply until 2100 hours on 18th July and the online entry will close.

Registration will be available at the event on Friday night and Saturday morning. Online entry and all relevant documents can be found here

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As Afloat.ie reported earlier, at the U21 Laser World Championships in Poland today 19-year-old Ballyholme Yacht Club Sailor Liam Glynn from Bangor, Co. Down in Northern Ireland took a bronze medal from a fleet of 133 competitors spanning forty countries. The result adds to Ireland's youth medal haul in the Laser class over the past decade.

Glynn secured the medal in difficult shifty conditions on the Baltic Sea. On an outstanding penultimate day, scoring two third places, put him in pole position coming into the final day. A strong charge today by the two German sailors ultimately meant he missed the title but such was the strength of his series he still took the bronze medal.

As a junior, Glynn won the Topper World Championships in 2013. This second World Championship medal bodes well for his future potential in the Olympic discipline, where his main rival for the single Tokyo place is Dun Laoghaire's Finn Lynch a sailor who also performed at U21 level.

As Afloat.ie readers will recall, Ireland has previous success at World Radial youth level. Nine years ago, Wexford’s Philip Doran took the Under 17 world championship title in Japan in 2010. A year earlier he won the Under 16 title. In that same year, 2009, Annalise Murphy, then aged 19, won the Under 21 world title. 

Glynn's rival Lynch took bronze in the Men's Radial Worlds, silver in the Europeans and gold in the U21 category at the Laser European and World Championships in 2013 on his home waters of Dun Laoghaire. 

Today's qualifies Glynn for the Irish Sailing Senior Team in 2019, and he will now join this team to compete at the Olympic qualifier in Aarhus, Denmark in August

Published in Tokyo 2020
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The Dublin Bay Laser fleet is making a push for more entries for the Laser fleets in the forthcoming Dun Laoghaire Regattas starting this weekend with the National Yacht Club fixture.

Laser Class Captain Ross O'Leary has come up with a 'Laser League' concept over six races for the three consecutive Saturdays of the National Yacht Club, Royal Irish Yacht Club & Royal St. George Yacht Club Regattas.

The regattas are the highlight of the Dun Laoghaire sailing season. You can read more about the NYC regatta here and the RIYC regatta date here.

Along with the usual prize for overall winner in Radial and Standard rig - the new league will have prizes for the most improved Laser sailor, wobbler for best capsize or mess-up, best newcomer to the fleet, Golden – oldie prize for fastest–oldest Laser sailor and a youth prize for the best young sailor that 'annoys an old fella on the course!'

With a discard of two races, one regatta may be skipped by a league entrant.

Entrants have to enter each separate regatta online:

NYC Regatta – 23rd June here

RIYC Regatta 30th June here

Royal St. George YC Regatta 7th July - details to follow

The league prizegiving and get–together will take place after the R St George YC Regatta on the 7th of July. 

Online entry (at €15) is here

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Kinsale Yacht Club's Darragh O'Sullivan (Standard), Howth Yacht Club's Jamie McMahon (Radial) and Lough Ree's James Delaney (4.7) were the three division winners of the Laser Connacht Championships held in Cork Harbour at the weekend.

Although there were no Royal Cork Yacht Club winners in any of the three divisions, host club sailors did feature prominently in the results and Crosshaven solo sailors occupied the bulk of the podium places after six races sailed off Cuskinny.

Full results in each division are downloadable below. See our day one photo gallery here.

Kinsale's O'Sullivan was two points ahead of Johnny Durcan of the host club with Nick Walsh also of RCYC third. Download provisional results below.

Jamie McMahon Laser Radial Howth(Above and below) Radial winner Jamie McMahon of Howth in the breeze Photo: Bob Bateman

Jamie McMahon

In the Radial Division, Howth Yacht Club's McMahon bested the 23-boat fleet eeked out a five-point margin over RCYC's Chris Bateman. One point behind in third was Waterford Harbour's Geoff Power. Download provisional results below.

In the 4.7 fleet, the biggest fleet of the weekend James Delaney of Lough Ree was four points clear of second-placed Cathal O'Regan of RCYC with club mate Rory O'Sullivan third. Download provisional results below. 

Lough Ree James Delaney Laser 4.7 WinnerLough Ree's James Delaney was the Laser 4.7 Winner Photo: Bob Bateman

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Munster sailors are in control of the 14-boat Standard Rig fleet after three races sailed on the first day of the Irish Laser Connacht Championships 2018 at Royal Cork Yacht Club. Kinsale Yacht Club's Darragh O'Sullivan leads the host club's Nick Walsh in second overall with club mate Johnny Durcan in third place. Download provisional results below.

See our Laser Connacht Photo Gallery by Bob Bateman below

Medium to strong westerly breezes greeted the 65 Lasers from over 30 clubs around the country across three fleets – 4.7’s, Radial and Standard Rigs for the Championships in Cork Harbour this weekend. Racing is taking place on the
Eastern Bank in Cork Harbour  between Aghada and Cuskinny.

In the Radial Division, Howth Yacht Club's Jamie McMahon leads the 23-boat fleet but only just. The Dublin youth, who so narrowly missed out on overall honours in the youth championships in March, is on the same eight points as RCYC's Chris Bateman. Third is Waterford Harbour's Geoff Power. Download provisional results below.

In the 4.7 fleet, the biggest fleet of the weekend is led by James Delaney of Lough Ree. Second is Cathal O'Regan of RCYC with Alanna Coakley of Royal St. George third. Download provisional results below.

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Published in Royal Cork YC
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65 Lasers from over 30 clubs around the country across three fleets – 4.7’s, Radial and Standard Rigs are heading for the Connacht Championships in Cork Harbour this weekend.

Twelve Masters have signed up to hone their racing skills at the Royal Cork Yacht Club before this September’s Laser Master Worlds in Dun Laoghaire following May's staging of the Irish Masters at the Royal St. George Yacht Club. 

Race Officer Ciaran McSweeney and Assistant David O’Brien will hold racing at Cuskinny.

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RYA Master Laser Sailor Mike Matan made clear his intentions for September's World Championships on Dublin Bay taking a clean sweep of the Irish Masters Open at the Royal St George Yacht Club at the weekend. In a fleet of 31, Matan counted three wins in a range of conditions from 30–knots on Saturday to 12 knots or less on Sunday. 

In a show of strength for the 2018 World Championship race track, Dublin Bay produced true championship conditions, if not a little too tough for local sailors at times.

Laser Masters start Dublin Bay 2189A fine turnout of 44 boats in two fleets for the Irish Laser Masters on Dublin Bay Photo: Afloat.ie

Laser Masters Dublin Bay irelandMalahide's Dave Kirwan (419), Howth Yacht Club's Mark Kennedy (590) and Ballyholme's Francis Kennedy (885) neck and neck in breeze during the first reach  of race three of the Laser Masters Championships on Dublin Bay Photo: Afloat.ie 

"Dublin Bay produced true championship conditions"

Finishing second to Matan in the full rig division – to claim the Irish Masters Champion title – was Daragh Kelleher of Skerries Sailing Club who outwitted some favourites (previewed here) to take the overall win in the Lennon Racewear sponsored event. 

Laser Theo Lyttle 2380Royal St. George's Theo Lyttle Photo: Afloat.ie

Laser Radial Masters start Dublin Bay 2412Conor O'Leary of the Royal St George YC

Laser Mike Matan 2215Irish Masters Open Champion Mike Matan on his way to victory on Dublin Bay (above) and below collecting his trophy from Royal St. George's Peter Bowring (below)

Laser Matan

Laser KelleherDarragh Kelleher (left) was the second in the full rig overall and winner of the Irish Masters Championships

In the Radial division, Sean Craig of the Royal St George YC  had four wins to easily claim the Irish title ahead of Chris Boyd of Ballyholme Yacht Club. Third was Craig's clubmate Marco Sorgassi.

Laser Radial Masters start Dublin Bay 2447Howth's Troy Hopkins leads Ballyholme's Chris Boyd by a boat length into the top mark of Race three in the Radials Photo: Afloat.ie

Additional reporting via Laser Class:

After a season of mainly light winds so far, competitors gathered in gorgeous sunshine on Saturday morning, buoyed by a promising forecast that did not disappoint over the two days. While the sunshine gave way to grey skies on Sunday, a fresh Southerly provided wind and wave to give challenging conditions, ranging from 12-25 knots throughout.

In the Full rigs after Day One, a breakaway group of three sailors threatened to sew up the podium early, despite intense competition throughout a home fleet literally chomping at the bit for the Worlds in September. Manhattan-based Mike Matan, sailing under the burgee of the RYA, claimed the second and third bullets of the day. Whether starting at the pin or the Committee Boat, Matan often seemed quickest away early on port, which was favoured all day as the starboard layline offered up good gains versus those tucked in just below or approaching on port. Daragh Kelleher from Skerries Sailing Club had taken Race One after diving early to that favoured side of the first beat. Corkman Nick Walsh also sat pretty overnight with 4,2,2. Only Gareth Flannigan (Ballyholme Yacht Club, reigning champion) and Howth’s Dave Quinn managed individual races in the top three.

Day Two dawned with a similar forecast and the fleet moved to a different track. The Race Officer made good on his promise to use both of the general race areas that will be employed at the Worlds, where the turnout of 350+ will require two race courses.

More lessons were learnt on flatter, less confused water but again with thrilling offwind legs as the breeze touched 20 knots once more. Up front in the Standards, however, it was business as usual as the same three dominated. Matan took his third win in the final, fifth race to take the overall win and First Master (45-55). Taking the silver medal was Apprentice Master Kelleher, just ahead of Walsh. This made Daragh Kelleher First Irish Master, well-deserved after taking two race wins and using up his discard with a DNC when feeling unwell for Race 3. John Simms from Ballyholme Yacht Club showed he’s lost none of his heavy weather prowess and took the top Grand Master award, finishing a highly creditable 5th overall. Sweden’s David Bourghardt from Kullavik KK rounded off the top 10, just ahead of David Hillmyer from Sarasota in Florida, competing in his second Irish Nationals (he took a race win in 2016).

The Irish Laser Masters scene has finally woken up to the attraction of the Radial rig for older and/or lighter racers. It was great to see 15 entries here after also getting good Master turnouts of a dozen boats with the smaller sail, joining in with our youth sailors at early season regional events. The potential for further growth here looks promising.

Sean Craig of the host club tended to pop out in front and ended up with five bullets but on Sunday he was pushed and headed for long periods by Chris Boyd from Ballyhome Yacht Club, ex Finn Olympian who, like Craig, has recently transitioned to Radial rig. Also new in the division is Dublin-based Italian Marco Sorgassi, from RStGYC, who came 3 rd overall behind Boyd after a consistent showing, holding off the likes of Troy Hopkins (Howth Yacht Club), Ian Magowan (Tralee Bay Sailing Club) and Dragon Champion sailor Neil Hegarty of RStGYC/Baltimore SC. Shirley Gilmore (RStGYC/Kinsale YC) defied her light stature in the strong winds and placed a very respectable 7 th overall, claiming the Top Lady award amongst four female sailors in total.

Sailors enjoyed an excellent three course Regatta dinner on Saturday, after which Irish Sailing High Performance coach Rory Fitzpatrick spoke for almost 90 minutes. A Laser Olympian himself (Athens, 2004) he focused mainly on his role as Coach to our “Radial Queen” Annalise Murphy, chronicling all the highs and lows. We heard about the lows and the soul-searching debrief after the London Olympics and that heartbreaking 4th place finish.

Then on to the next Quadrennial and a fascinating insight into the meticulous preparations that brought Annalise her silver medal in Rio, a period which also included a glorious win at the European Championships in Dun Laoghaire in 2013.

This Masters regatta was run faultlessly on the water by Race Officer Harry Gallagher, supported by his usual Flagship team and a hardworking team of Dun Laoghaire mark layers and RIB drivers. Start lines were square, courses were fair and race turnaround time was instant. Onshore, a compact but very able team kept the show on the road and we would like to thank the Royal St George Yacht Club for looking after the class so well. It augurs well for the Worlds when the neighbouring National Yacht Club comes onboard as co-host.

Thanks also to Open Full rig Champion Mike Matan for his kind words at the Prizegiving. He got his gold medal and Lennon voucher, but that Irish Masters trophy stays in the country with top Irish finisher. 

Radial Fleet

Sailed: 5, Discards: 1, To count: 4, Entries: 15, Scoring system: Appendix A
Rank Fleet Class SailNo HelmName Club R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 Total Nett
1st Radial Master 206943 Sean Craig Royal St George YC (1.0) 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 5.0 4.0
2nd Radial Great GM 200435 Chris Boyd Ballyholme Y C 2.0 (4.0) 2.0 2.0 2.0 12.0 8.0
3rd Radial Master 211811 Marco Sorgassi Royal St.George 3.0 2.0 3.0 (4.0) 3.0 15.0 11.0
4th Radial Master 211115 Troy Hopkins Howth Yacht Club (5.0) 3.0 4.0 3.0 4.0 19.0 14.0
5th Radial Grand Master 173059 Ian Magowan Tralee Bay Sailing Club/RIYC/CHSC 4.0 6.0 (7.0) 5.0 6.0 28.0 21.0
6th Radial Master 188347 Neil Hegarty Royal St George YC/BSC (7.0) 5.0 5.0 6.0 5.0 28.0 21.0
7th Radial Master 204762 Shirley Gilmore Royal St George YC/Kinsale YC 9.0 (16.0 DNC) 8.0 8.0 7.0 48.0 32.0
8th Radial Grand Master 213957 Paul Ebrill WHBTC 6.0 (16.0 DNC) 16.0 DNC 7.0 8.0 53.0 37.0
9th Radial Master 21010 Glen Fisher None 10.0 (16.0 DNC) 9.0 9.0 9.0 53.0 37.0
10th Radial Grand Master 155919 David Cahill National Yacht Club/Dublin Bay SC 8.0 (16.0 DNC) 6.0 16.0 DNC 16.0 DNC 62.0 46.0
11th Radial Master 198518 John Sisk RIYC 11.0 (16.0 DNF) 16.0 DNC 16.0 DNC 16.0 DNC 75.0 59.0
12th Radial Grand Master 202051 Mary Chambers DMYC 12.0 (16.0 DNC) 16.0 DNC 16.0 DNC 16.0 DNC 76.0 60.0
13th Radial Apprentice 179037 Patricia Kelly INSC 13.0 (16.0 DNC) 16.0 DNC 16.0 DNC 16.0 DNC 77.0 61.0
14th Radial Legend 178148 Denis O’ Sullivan Monkstown Bay Sailing Club (16.0 DNC) 16.0 DNC 16.0 DNC 16.0 DNC 16.0 DNC 80.0 64.0
14th Radial Grand Master 171911 Joan Sheffield INSC (16.0 DNF) 16.0 DNS 16.0 DNC 16.0 DNC 16.0 DNC 80.0 64.0

Standard Fleet

Sailed: 5, Discards: 1, To count: 4, Entries: 31, Scoring system: Appendix A
Rank Fleet Class SailNo HelmName Club R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 Total Nett
1st Standard Master 208838 Mike Matan RYA (3.0) 1.0 1.0 2.0 1.0 8.0 5.0
2nd Standard Apprentice 213141 Daragh Kelleher Skerries SC 1.0 3.0 (32.0 DNC) 1.0 3.0 40.0 8.0
3rd Standard Master 210258 Nick Walsh Royal Cork YC (4.0) 2.0 2.0 3.0 2.0 13.0 9.0
4th Standard Apprentice 208319 David Quinn Howth Yacht Club 2.0 9.0 (32.0 DNC) 4.0 4.0 51.0 19.0
5th Standard Grand Master 198554 John Simms Ballyholme YC/Royal Ulster YC 5.0 6.0 (11.0) 5.0 6.0 33.0 22.0
6th Standard Apprentice 201365 Damian Maloney Lough Derg Yacht Club/ RSGYC 9.0 4.0 4.0 6.0 (10.0) 33.0 23.0
7th Standard Master 208855 Gareth Flannigan Ballyholme YC/Royal Ulster YC 6.0 5.0 3.0 12.0 (16.0) 42.0 26.0
8th Standard Grand Master 185032 Charles Taylor Ballyholme Yacht Club/RUYC 10.0 8.0 5.0 (13.0) 5.0 41.0 28.0
9th Standard Master 211463 Edward Rice Royal Cork YC (11.0) 10.0 7.0 10.0 8.0 46.0 35.0
10th Standard Master 210351 David Bourghardt Kullavik KKK 7.0 12.0 (32.0 DNC) 7.0 11.0 69.0 37.0
11th Standard Apprentice 210648 David Hillmyer Sarasota Sailing Sqaudron 14.0 (18.0) 9.0 8.0 9.0 58.0 40.0
12th Standard Master 211129 Theo Lyttle Royal St George YC 12.0 11.0 8.0 9.0 (15.0) 55.0 40.0
13th Standard Grand Master 201829 Chris Arrowsmith Royal St George YC 13.0 17.0 (32.0 RET) 15.0 7.0 84.0 52.0
14th Standard Master 174419 Dave Kirwan Malahide YC/HYC (24.0) 16.0 10.0 14.0 13.0 77.0 53.0
15th Standard Grand Master 201364 Gary O’ Hare Royal St George YC (20.0) 14.0 14.0 11.0 17.0 76.0 56.0
16th Standard Master 171885 Francis Kennedy Ballyholme YC/Baltimore SC 19.0 (23.0) 15.0 18.0 12.0 87.0 64.0
17th Standard Master 181670 John Marmelstein National Yacht Club (28.0) 20.0 13.0 17.0 14.0 92.0 64.0
18th Standard Apprentice 212521 Ross O’ Leary Royal St George YC/ Courtown SC 15.0 13.0 6.0 (32.0 DNC) 32.0 DNC 98.0 66.0
19th Standard Master 204187 Dan O’ Connell ISA 8.0 7.0 19.0 (32.0 DNC) 32.0 DNC 98.0 66.0
20th Standard Grand Master 194648 Conor Costello Malahide Yacht Club 17.0 15.0 16.0 (32.0 DNC) 19.0 99.0 67.0
21st Standard Master 187590 Mark Kennedy Howth YC 23.0 19.0 12.0 (32.0 DNC) 18.0 104.0 72.0
22nd Standard Grand Master 192324 Richard Tate Royal St George YC 16.0 (32.0 DNF) 18.0 20.0 21.0 107.0 75.0
23rd Standard Grand Master 210334 Marc Coakley Royal St George YC/RVYC 22.0 22.0 20.0 16.0 (32.0 DNC) 112.0 80.0
24th Standard Master 177844 Alex Fernie Galway Bay SC (27.0) 24.0 17.0 21.0 22.0 111.0 84.0
25th Standard Grand Master 190745 Conor O’ Leary Royal St George YC (26.0) 21.0 21.0 22.0 20.0 110.0 84.0
26th Standard Master 173110 Ian Simmington Royal St George YC 25.0 25.0 (32.0 DNC) 19.0 23.0 124.0 92.0
27th Standard Apprentice 151399 Marius Fedotovas Kauno Zalgirio Yacht Club, Lithuania/Roy (32.0 DNC) 32.0 DNF 32.0 DNC 23.0 24.0 143.0 111.0
28th Standard Master 193264 Paul Keane Royal Irish YC 18.0 (32.0 DNF) 32.0 DNC 32.0 DNC 32.0 DNC 146.0 114.0
29th Standard Master 172297 Emmett O’ Sullivan Monkstown Bay Sailing Club/RCYC 21.0 (32.0 DNC) 32.0 DNC 32.0 DNC 32.0 DNC 149.0 117.0
30th Standard Master 201375 Aidan Geraghty Greystones Sailing club (32.0 DNC) 32.0 DNC 32.0 DNC 32.0 DNC 32.0 DNC 160.0 128.0
30th Standard Apprentice 173062 Gavan Murphy Royal St George YC (32.0 DNC) 32.0 DNC 32.0 DNC 32.0 DNC 32.0 DNC 160.0 128.0

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After three races sailed in strong and testing southerly winds and big seas, the Irish Laser Master Championships at the Royal St.George Yacht Club in Dun Laoghaire is led overnight by the RYA's Mike Matan in the 29–boat standard class. The 14-boat Radial Rig division is lead by Sean Craig of the host club. 

As Afloat.ie reported previously, the promise of some pre–event training on the world championship race track has produced a bumper entry for the Lennon Racewear sponsored event. 44 boats are entered with sailors from across Ireland as well as the UK, USA, Sweden, Italy and Lithuania.

Laser masters dublin bay 2190Ideal conditions for today's first three races of the Laser Master Championships Photo: Afloat.ie

Second in the standard rig fleet is Ballyholme Yacht Club's Chris Boyd who is five points off the leader with Royal St.George's Marco Sorgassi third. 

Laser masters dublin bay sean Craig 2436Sean Craig of the host club leads at the top mark of the Radial fleet of the Laser Masters on Dublin Bay. Photo: Afloat.ie

Results are below. 

Racing continues tomorrow.

Radial Fleet

Sailed: 3, Discards: 0, To count: 3, Entries: 15, Scoring system: Appendix A
Rank Fleet Class SailNo HelmName Club R1 R2 R3 Total Nett
1st Radial Master 206943 Sean Craig Royal St George YC 1.0 1.0 1.0 3.0 3.0
2nd Radial Great GM 200435 Chris Boyd Ballyholme Y C 2.0 4.0 2.0 8.0 8.0
3rd Radial Master 211811 Marco Sorgassi Royal St.George 3.0 2.0 3.0 8.0 8.0
4th Radial Master 211115 Troy Hopkins Howth Yacht Club 5.0 3.0 4.0 12.0 12.0
5th Radial Grand Master 173059 Ian Magowan Tralee Bay Sailing Club/RIYC/CHSC 4.0 6.0 7.0 17.0 17.0
6th Radial Master 188347 Neil Hegarty Royal St George YC/BSC 7.0 5.0 5.0 17.0 17.0
7th Radial Grand Master 155919 David Cahill National Yacht Club/Dublin Bay SC 8.0 16.0 DNC 6.0 30.0 30.0
8th Radial Master 204762 Shirley Gilmore Royal St George YC/Kinsale YC 9.0 16.0 DNC 8.0 33.0 33.0
9th Radial Master 21010 Glen Fisher None 10.0 16.0 DNC 9.0 35.0 35.0
10th Radial Grand Master 213957 Paul Ebrill WHBTC 6.0 16.0 DNC 16.0 DNC 38.0 38.0
11th Radial Master 198518 John Sisk RIYC 11.0 16.0 DNF 16.0 DNC 43.0 43.0
12th Radial Grand Master 202051 Mary Chambers DMYC 12.0 16.0 DNC 16.0 DNC 44.0 44.0
13th Radial Apprentice 179037 Patricia Kelly INSC 13.0 16.0 DNC 16.0 DNC 45.0 45.0
14th Radial Legend 178148 Denis O’ Sullivan Monkstown Bay Sailing Club 16.0 DNC 16.0 DNC 16.0 DNC 48.0 48.0
14th Radial Grand Master 171911 Joan Sheffield INSC 16.0 DNF 16.0 DNS 16.0 DNC 48.0 48.0

Standard Fleet

Sailed: 3, Discards: 0, To count: 3, Entries: 31, Scoring system: Appendix A
Rank Fleet Class SailNo HelmName Club R1 R2 R3 Total Nett
1st Standard Master 208838 Mike Matan RYA 3.0 1.0 1.0 5.0 5.0
2nd Standard Master 210258 Nick Walsh Royal Cork YC 4.0 2.0 2.0 8.0 8.0
3rd Standard Master 208855 Gareth Flannigan Ballyholme YC/Royal Ulster YC 6.0 5.0 3.0 14.0 14.0
4th Standard Apprentice 201365 Damian Maloney Lough Derg Yacht Club/ RSGYC 9.0 4.0 4.0 17.0 17.0
5th Standard Grand Master 198554 John Simms Ballyholme YC/Royal Ulster YC 5.0 6.0 11.0 22.0 22.0
6th Standard Grand Master 185032 Charles Taylor Ballyholme Yacht Club/RUYC 10.0 8.0 5.0 23.0 23.0
7th Standard Master 211463 Edward Rice Royal Cork YC 11.0 10.0 7.0 28.0 28.0
8th Standard Master 211129 Theo Lyttle Royal St George YC 12.0 11.0 8.0 31.0 31.0
9th Standard Apprentice 212521 Ross O’ Leary Royal St George YC/ Courtown SC 15.0 13.0 6.0 34.0 34.0
10th Standard Master 204187 Dan O’ Connell ISA 8.0 7.0 19.0 34.0 34.0
11th Standard Apprentice 213141 Daragh Kelleher Skerries SC 1.0 3.0 32.0 DNC 36.0 36.0
12th Standard Apprentice  14.0 18.0 9.0 41.0 41.0
13th Standard Apprentice 208319 David Quinn Howth Yacht Club 2.0 9.0 32.0 DNC 43.0 43.0
14th Standard Grand Master 201364 Gary O’ Hare Royal St George YC 20.0 14.0 14.0 48.0 48.0
15th Standard Grand Master 194648 Conor Costello Malahide Yacht Club 17.0 15.0 16.0 48.0 48.0
16th Standard Master 174419 Dave Kirwan Malahide YC/HYC 24.0 16.0 10.0 50.0 50.0
17th Standard Master 210351 David Bourghardt Kullavik KKK 7.0 12.0 32.0 DNC 51.0 51.0
18th Standard Master 187590 Mark Kennedy Howth YC 23.0 19.0 12.0 54.0 54.0
19th Standard Master 171885 Francis Kennedy Ballyholme YC/Baltimore SC 19.0 23.0 15.0 57.0 57.0
20th Standard Master 181670 John Marmelstein National Yacht Club 28.0 20.0 13.0 61.0 61.0
21st Standard Grand Master 201829 Chris Arrowsmith Royal St George YC 13.0 17.0 32.0 RET 62.0 62.0
22nd Standard Grand Master 210334 Marc Coakley Royal St George YC/RVYC 22.0 22.0 20.0 64.0 64.0
23rd Standard Grand Master 192324 Richard Tate Royal St George YC 16.0 32.0 DNF 18.0 66.0 66.0
24th Standard Master 177844 Alex Fernie Galway Bay SC 27.0 24.0 17.0 68.0 68.0
25th Standard Grand Master 190745 Conor O’ Leary Royal St George YC 26.0 21.0 21.0 68.0 68.0
26th Standard Master 193264 Paul Keane Royal Irish YC 18.0 32.0 DNF 32.0 DNC 82.0 82.0
27th Standard Master 173110 Ian Simmington Royal St George YC 25.0 25.0 32.0 DNC 82.0 82.0
28th Standard Master 172297 Emmett O’ Sullivan Monkstown Bay Sailing Club/RCYC 21.0 32.0 DNC 32.0 DNC 85.0 85.0
29th Standard Master 201375 Aidan Geraghty Greystones Sailing club 32.0 DNC 32.0 DNC 32.0 DNC 96.0 96.0
29th Standard Apprentice 151399 Marius Fedotovas Kauno Zalgirio Yacht Club, Lithuania/Roy 32.0 DNC 32.0 DNF 32.0 DNC 96.0 96.0
29th Standard Apprentice 173062 Gavan Murphy Royal St George YC 32.0 DNC 32.0 DNC 32.0 DNC 96.0 96.0

Published in Laser
Tagged under

Finn Lynch narrowly missed out on Gold fleet racing overnight – by a single place – after three days of qualifying races at the Laser European Championships in La Rochelle, France.

While Ireland's three boat Olympic Laser sailing team competing in France have all dropped back after a 'steady start', Lough Derg's Aisling Keller, who was as high as 13th after day one, lies 47th in the 93–boat Radial fleet and makes the Gold fleet.

After six races sailed, the National Yacht Club's Lynch, who was 37th after day one, now lies 55th, one place off gold fleet standard.

Ballyholme's Liam Glynn is 88th from 160 entries and will also race in the 53–boat silver fleet.

Maeve Leonard will race in the Radial silver fleet.

Howth Yacht Club's Aoife Hopkins is not competing due to exams.

Ireland has a single entry in the Mens Radial division with Wexford Harbour's Ronan Wallace lying eighth overall from 59.

New Zealanders Sam Meech and Andrew McKenzie continued their charge at the Laser European championships in La Rochelle overnight (NZ time) but things are about to get a whole lot more difficult as all the other top sailors join them in gold fleet.

Meech is second and McKenzie third after three days of qualifying. Meech added a second and fourth overnight and is now one point behind Australia's Matthew Wearn and McKenzie banked two third-placed finishes to be another five points behind.

The complexion of racing will change tonight as the top 54 sailors compete over three days in gold fleet, including a third New Zealander George Gautrey who qualified in 42nd. The first three days saw the 160 competitors split into three fleets, which saw some very low scoring from many in the top 20.

Susannah Pyatt is the best placed of the trio of New Zealanders in the Laser Radial in 19th with Olivia Christie 39th.

Results and standings after the thrd day of the Laser European Championships at La Rochelle, France, overnight:

Laser (160 boats)
1. Matthew Wearn, AUS, 5 points
2. Sam Meech, NZL, 6
3. Andrew McKenzie, NZL, 11

Laser Radial (93 boats)
1. Maxime Jonker, NED, 5
2. Marit Bouwmeester, NED, 10 
3. Emma Plasschaert, BEL, 14

Full results: eurilca.org

Published in Tokyo 2020
Tagged under
Page 36 of 70

Irish Olympic Sailing Team

Ireland has a proud representation in sailing at the Olympics dating back to 1948. Today there is a modern governing structure surrounding the selection of sailors the Olympic Regatta

Irish Olympic Sailing FAQs

Ireland’s representation in sailing at the Olympics dates back to 1948, when a team consisting of Jimmy Mooney (Firefly), Alf Delany and Hugh Allen (Swallow) competed in that year’s Summer Games in London (sailing off Torquay). Except for the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City, Ireland has sent at least one sailor to every Summer Games since then.

  • 1948 – London (Torquay) — Firefly: Jimmy Mooney; Swallow: Alf Delany, Hugh Allen
  • 1952 – Helsinki — Finn: Alf Delany * 1956 – Melbourne — Finn: J Somers Payne
  • 1960 – Rome — Flying Dutchman: Johnny Hooper, Peter Gray; Dragon: Jimmy Mooney, David Ryder, Robin Benson; Finn: J Somers Payne
  • 1964 – Tokyo — Dragon: Eddie Kelliher, Harry Maguire, Rob Dalton; Finn: Johnny Hooper 
  • 1972 – Munich (Kiel) — Tempest: David Wilkins, Sean Whitaker; Dragon: Robin Hennessy, Harry Byrne, Owen Delany; Finn: Kevin McLaverty; Flying Dutchman: Harold Cudmore, Richard O’Shea
  • 1976 – Montreal (Kingston) — 470: Robert Dix, Peter Dix; Flying Dutchman: Barry O’Neill, Jamie Wilkinson; Tempest: David Wilkins, Derek Jago
  • 1980 – Moscow (Tallinn) — Flying Dutchman: David Wilkins, Jamie Wilkinson (Silver medalists) * 1984 – Los Angeles — Finn: Bill O’Hara
  • 1988 – Seoul (Pusan) — Finn: Bill O’Hara; Flying Dutchman: David Wilkins, Peter Kennedy; 470 (Women): Cathy MacAleavy, Aisling Byrne
  • 1992 – Barcelona — Europe: Denise Lyttle; Flying Dutchman: David Wilkins, Peter Kennedy; Star: Mark Mansfield, Tom McWilliam
  • 1996 – Atlanta (Savannah) — Laser: Mark Lyttle; Europe: Aisling Bowman (Byrne); Finn: John Driscoll; Star: Mark Mansfield, David Burrows; 470 (Women): Denise Lyttle, Louise Cole; Soling: Marshall King, Dan O’Grady, Garrett Connolly
  • 2000 – Sydney — Europe: Maria Coleman; Finn: David Burrows; Star: Mark Mansfield, David O'Brien
  • 2004 – Athens — Europe: Maria Coleman; Finn: David Burrows; Star: Mark Mansfield, Killian Collins; 49er: Tom Fitzpatrick, Fraser Brown; 470: Gerald Owens, Ross Killian; Laser: Rory Fitzpatrick
  • 2008 – Beijing (Qingdao) — Star: Peter O’Leary, Stephen Milne; Finn: Tim Goodbody; Laser Radial: Ciara Peelo; 470: Gerald Owens, Phil Lawton
  • 2012 – London (Weymouth) — Star: Peter O’Leary, David Burrows; 49er: Ryan Seaton, Matt McGovern; Laser Radial: Annalise Murphy; Laser: James Espey; 470: Gerald Owens, Scott Flanigan
  • 2016 – Rio — Laser Radial (Women): Annalise Murphy (Silver medalist); 49er: Ryan Seaton, Matt McGovern; 49erFX: Andrea Brewster, Saskia Tidey; Laser: Finn Lynch; Paralympic Sonar: John Twomey, Ian Costello & Austin O’Carroll

Ireland has won two Olympics medals in sailing events, both silver: David Wilkins, Jamie Wilkinson in the Flying Dutchman at Moscow 1980, and Annalise Murphy in the Laser Radial at Rio 2016.

The current team, as of December 2020, consists of Laser sailors Finn Lynch, Liam Glynn and Ewan McMahon, 49er pairs Ryan Seaton and Seafra Guilfoyle, and Sean Waddilove and Robert Dickson, as well as Laser Radial sailors Annalise Murphy and Aoife Hopkins.

Irish Sailing is the National Governing Body for sailing in Ireland.

Irish Sailing’s Performance division is responsible for selecting and nurturing Olympic contenders as part of its Performance Pathway.

The Performance Pathway is Irish Sailing’s Olympic talent pipeline. The Performance Pathway counts over 70 sailors from 11 years up in its programme.The Performance Pathway is made up of Junior, Youth, Academy, Development and Olympic squads. It provides young, talented and ambitious Irish sailors with opportunities to move up through the ranks from an early age. With up to 100 young athletes training with the Irish Sailing Performance Pathway, every aspect of their performance is planned and closely monitored while strong relationships are simultaneously built with the sailors and their families

Rory Fitzpatrick is the head coach of Irish Sailing Performance. He is a graduate of University College Dublin and was an Athens 2004 Olympian in the Laser class.

The Performance Director of Irish Sailing is James O’Callaghan. Since 2006 James has been responsible for the development and delivery of athlete-focused, coach-led, performance-measured programmes across the Irish Sailing Performance Pathway. A Business & Economics graduate of Trinity College Dublin, he is a Level 3 Qualified Coach and Level 2 Coach Tutor. He has coached at five Olympic Games and numerous European and World Championship events across multiple Olympic classes. He is also a member of the Irish Sailing Foundation board.

Annalise Murphy is by far and away the biggest Irish sailing star. Her fourth in London 2012 when she came so agonisingly close to a bronze medal followed by her superb silver medal performance four years later at Rio won the hearts of Ireland. Murphy is aiming to go one better in Tokyo 2021. 

Under head coach Rory Fitzpatrick, the coaching staff consists of Laser Radial Academy coach Sean Evans, Olympic Laser coach Vasilij Zbogar and 49er team coach Matt McGovern.

The Irish Government provides funding to Irish Sailing. These funds are exclusively for the benefit of the Performance Pathway. However, this falls short of the amount required to fund the Performance Pathway in order to allow Ireland compete at the highest level. As a result the Performance Pathway programme currently receives around €850,000 per annum from Sport Ireland and €150,000 from sponsorship. A further €2 million per annum is needed to have a major impact at the highest level. The Irish Sailing Foundation was established to bridge the financial gap through securing philanthropic donations, corporate giving and sponsorship.

The vision of the Irish Sailing Foundation is to generate the required financial resources for Ireland to scale-up and execute its world-class sailing programme. Irish Sailing works tirelessly to promote sailing in Ireland and abroad and has been successful in securing funding of 1 million euro from Sport Ireland. However, to compete on a par with other nations, a further €2 million is required annually to realise the ambitions of our talented sailors. For this reason, the Irish Sailing Foundation was formed to seek philanthropic donations. Led by a Board of Directors and Head of Development Kathryn Grace, the foundation lads a campaign to bridge the financial gap to provide the Performance Pathway with the funds necessary to increase coaching hours, upgrade equipment and provide world class sport science support to a greater number of high-potential Irish sailors.

The Senior and Academy teams of the Performance Pathway are supported with the provision of a coach, vehicle, coach boat and boats. Even with this level of subsidy there is still a large financial burden on individual families due to travel costs, entry fees and accommodation. There are often compromises made on the amount of days a coach can be hired for and on many occasions it is necessary to opt out of major competitions outside Europe due to cost. Money raised by the Irish Sailing Foundation will go towards increased quality coaching time, world-class equipment, and subsiding entry fees and travel-related costs. It also goes towards broadening the base of talented sailors that can consider campaigning by removing financial hurdles, and the Performance HQ in Dublin to increase efficiency and reduce logistical issues.

The ethos of the Performance Pathway is progression. At each stage international performance benchmarks are utilised to ensure the sailors are meeting expectations set. The size of a sailor will generally dictate which boat they sail. The classes selected on the pathway have been identified as the best feeder classes for progression. Currently the Irish Sailing Performance Pathway consists of the following groups: * Pathway (U15) Optimist and Topper * Youth Academy (U19) Laser 4.7, Laser Radial and 420 * Development Academy (U23) Laser, Laser Radial, 49er, 49erFX * Team IRL (direct-funded athletes) Laser, Laser Radial, 49er, 49erFX

The Irish Sailing performance director produces a detailed annual budget for the programme which is presented to Sport Ireland, Irish Sailing and the Foundation for detailed discussion and analysis of the programme, where each item of expenditure is reviewed and approved. Each year, the performance director drafts a Performance Plan and Budget designed to meet the objectives of Irish Performance Sailing based on an annual review of the Pathway Programmes from Junior to Olympic level. The plan is then presented to the Olympic Steering Group (OSG) where it is independently assessed and the budget is agreed. The OSG closely monitors the delivery of the plan ensuring it meets the agreed strategy, is within budget and in line with operational plans. The performance director communicates on an ongoing basis with the OSG throughout the year, reporting formally on a quarterly basis.

Due to the specialised nature of Performance Sport, Irish Sailing established an expert sub-committee which is referred to as the Olympic Steering Group (OSG). The OSG is chaired by Patrick Coveney and its objective is centred around winning Olympic medals so it oversees the delivery of the Irish Sailing’s Performance plan.

At Junior level (U15) sailors learn not only to be a sailor but also an athlete. They develop the discipline required to keep a training log while undertaking fitness programmes, attending coaching sessions and travelling to competitions. During the winter Regional Squads take place and then in spring the National Squads are selected for Summer Competitions. As sailors move into Youth level (U19) there is an exhaustive selection matrix used when considering a sailor for entry into the Performance Academy. Completion of club training programmes, attendance at the performance seminars, physical suitability and also progress at Junior and Youth competitions are assessed and reviewed. Once invited in to the Performance Academy, sailors are given a six-month trial before a final decision is made on their selection. Sailors in the Academy are very closely monitored and engage in a very well planned out sailing, training and competition programme. There are also defined international benchmarks which these sailors are required to meet by a certain age. Biannual reviews are conducted transparently with the sailors so they know exactly where they are performing well and they are made aware of where they may need to improve before the next review.

©Afloat 2020

Tokyo 2021 Olympic Sailing

Olympic Sailing features a variety of craft, from dinghies and keelboats to windsurfing boards. The programme at Tokyo 2020 will include two events for both men and women, three for men only, two for women only and one for mixed crews:

Event Programme

RS:X - Windsurfer (Men/Women)
Laser - One Person Dinghy (Men)
Laser Radial - One Person Dinghy (Women)
Finn - One Person Dinghy (Heavyweight) (Men)
470 - Two Person Dinghy (Men/Women)
49er - Skiff (Men)
49er FX - Skiff (Women)
Nacra 17 Foiling - Mixed Multihull

The mixed Nacra 17 Foiling - Mixed Multihull and women-only 49er FX - Skiff, events were first staged at Rio 2016.

Each event consists of a series of races. Points in each race are awarded according to position: the winner gets one point, the second-placed finisher scores two, and so on. The final race is called the medal race, for which points are doubled. Following the medal race, the individual or crew with the fewest total points is declared the winner.

During races, boats navigate a course shaped like an enormous triangle, heading for the finish line after they contend with the wind from all three directions. They must pass marker buoys a certain number of times and in a predetermined order.

Sailing competitions at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo are scheduled to take place from 27 July to 6 August at the Enoshima Yacht Harbour. 

Venues: Enoshima Yacht Harbor

No. of events: 10

Dates: 27 July – 6 August

Tokyo 2020 Olympic Dates

Following a one year postponement, sailing competitions at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo are scheduled to take place from 23 July 2021 and run until the 8 August at the Enoshima Yacht Harbour. 

Venue: Enoshima Yacht Harbour

No. of events: 10

Dates: 23 July – 8 August 2021

Tokyo 2020 Irish Olympic Sailing Team

ANNALISE MURPHY, Laser Radial

Age 31. From Rathfarnham, Dublin.

Club: National Yacht Club

Full-time sailor

Silver medallist at the 2016 Olympic Games, Rio (Laser Radial class). Competed in the Volvo Ocean Race 2017/2018. Represented Ireland at the London 2012 Olympics. Laser Radial European Champion in 2013.

ROBERT DICKSON, 49er (sails with Seán Waddilove)

Winner, U23 49er World Championships, September 2018, and 2018 Volvo/Afloat Irish Sailor of the Year

DOB: 6 March 1998, from Sutton, Co. Dublin. Age 23

Club: Howth Yacht Club

Currently studying: Sports Science and Health in DCU with a Sports Scholarship.

SEÁN WADDILOVE, 49er (sails with Robert Dickson)

Winner, U23 49er World Championships, September 2018, and recently awarded 2018 Volvo Afloat/Irish Sailor of the Year

DOB: 19 June 1997. From Skerries, Dublin

Age 24

Club: Skerries Sailing Club and Howth Yacht Club

Currently studying International Business and Languages and awarded sports scholarship at TU (Technology University)

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