Strong northwesterly gusts have cancelled 29er Skiff National Championship racing at the National Yacht Club.

Friday evening and Saturday's schedules were both scrubbed because of the high winds. 

Racing is scheduled again for tomorrow (Sunday) on Dublin Bay.

As Afloat reported previously, top Irish crews have just finished four days of competition at Kiel Week in Germany, where sister-Brother duo Clementine and Nathan van Steenberge (NYC) finished up fifth and first mixed duo, having led the 29er fleet for the first three days.

Former National Yacht Club (NYC) Commodore Brían Barry of Killiney, County Dublin, has died.

Brian was a Member of the NYC for over 50 years. He came into sailing through Glenans, and with his wife Anne, he continued introducing people to sailing throughout his sailing career.

"With his financial training in Coopers and Lybrand, he served as treasurer for several difficult years following various crises in the Dun Laoghaire club. He served on several other sub-committees culminating in his election as Commodore in 1991, Commodore Peter Sherry told members this week.

Sherry said in a tribute that Brian, "together with Martin Crotty, pioneered the Dun Laoghaire to Dingle Race and established our strong interclub relationship with Cumann Bádoírí Naomh Bréanainn (Dingle Sailing Club). His daughter Suzie continues the link with her involvement in the D2D".

Brian also initiated adult sailing in the club by donating his Hunter 27 “Willie Waw”.

"Always a gentleman and a much-loved family man", Sherry said.

"He will be sadly missed by all his friends within the Club and further afield. Our deepest sympathies go to his family during this difficult time", he added.

The NYC Club ensign will be flown at half-mast in his memory, and a minute's silence will be observed at the next Committee meeting.

Funeral details are here

Howth Yacht Club's Paul McMahon is the 2023 Bretzel Bakery Irish RS Aero National Champion after a masterful display of sailing, winning the event with a race to spare - counting four firsts and a third at the National Yacht Club hosted event.

He was pushed hard by UK visitors, runner-up RS Sailing’s Noah Rees (Lymington Town SC) and Jack Miller (Felpham/Paignton SC) in third overall.

Noel Butler (National YC) and Daragh Sheridan (Howth YC) completed the Irish Nationals podium.

First Junior: Alexander Trickett (National YC), First Lady: Sarah Dwyer (RStGYC), First Master: Robert Howe (Monkstown Bay SC), First Novice: William Despard (National YC). Among the competitors was Irish ILCA Masters champion Marco Sorgassi (RStGYC), who was rewarded with a Bretzel Bakery “Mug of the Day” award for a truly spectacular ”missed the toestrap” capsize!

24 entries, the largest Irish RS Aero fleet to date, competed in six races over two days in medium SE winds on Dublin Bay.

PRO Ed Totterdell and his expert race management team with mark layers Mal Nowlan and John McNeely ran three Olympic courses on Saturday and three windward/leeward courses on Sunday, deftly dealing with a stubborn fog bank on the Sunday morning. On the water jury, Ailbe Millerick and Eunice Kennedy kept the fleet on their toes with regard to Rule 42 as they enjoyed full hiking conditions upwind and surfing conditions downwind with the wind against the building ebb tide

National YC Head Coach Thomas Chaix, ran a class coaching session on the Friday. This was open to all sailors in the class and designed to prepare sailors at all levels for the National Championship on the Saturday and Sunday. 14 sailors participated and mark roundings, starts, boat trim, sail shape and use of controls were the learning points of the day with excellent video analysis and notes circulated on the event group chat. Thomas was also on coach duty during the racing and facilitated a de-brief on the Saturday evening where hints and tips were shared by the race winners and interesting discussions were had over delicious catering provided by the National YC.

Thanks to title sponsor Bretzel Bakery whose MD Dymphna O'Brien presented the prizes (see photos below). Bakery owner William Despard competed in the event and provided delicious bread and pastries for the fleet each day.

Bretzel Bakery MD Dymphna O’Brien presented winners with their prizes at the National Yacht Club. Above Paul McMahon (HYC) with Irish RS Aero National Championship Trophy and gold medal, Irish RS Aero Nationals 2023. 

Noah Rees (Lymington Town SC) with the prize for 2nd overall, Irish RS Aero Nationals 2023. 

RS Aero Class Treasurer Roy Van Maanen presents Jack Miller (Felpham/Paignton SC) with the prize for 3rd overall, Irish RS Aero Nationals 2023

Noel Butler with his silver medal, Irish RS Aero Nationals, 2023

Daragh Sheridan with his bronze medal, Irish RS Aero Nationals, 2023

Alexander Trickett (National YC) with the prize for 1st Junior, Irish RS Aero Nationals 2023

William Despard (National YC) with the prize for 1st Novice, Irish RS Aero Nationals 2023

Sarah Dwyer (RStGYC) with the prize for 1st Lady, Irish RS Aero Nationals 2023

Robert Howe (Monkstown Bay SC) with the prize for 1st Master, Irish RS Aero Nationals 2023

Marco Sorgassi (RStGYC) with the “Mug of the Day” prize for his spectacular “missed the toestrap” capsize!, Irish RS Aero Nationals 2023

Thanks also to RS Sailing Ireland and Kenneth Rumball for providing complimentary charter boats for the visitors.

The RS Fest next weekend in Blessington Sailing Club will have racing for all RS classes with boats available to try/charter, more info here.

Seven of the Irish sailors who competed at the Nationals will represent Ireland at the upcoming RS Aero World Championships in Sardinia at the end of July.

Full results below

The RS Aero fleet plans to continue the very popular format of coaching/racing as the fleet develops. The National YC also runs weekly coaching sessions open to all. Anyone who would like to participate is very welcome and should get in touch with the class by emailing [email protected]

After a very successful Eastern Championships organised by the neighbouring Royal Irish Yacht Club at Dun Laoghaire Harbour, a small group of National Yacht Club RS Feva sailors got set for the British Nationals. After a light-air yet instructive clinic, the team of five partnerships made it to the UK on May 26th.

The team was greeted in Pwllheli, North Wales, by sunshine and champagne-style sailing conditions... simply glorious!

After a short training session to get their bearings in the bay, they competed in a fleet of 95 boats over four days.

The scene at the beach in Pwllheli, North Wales where a 95-boat fleet competed for the UK RS Feva National title

The large fleet was split into two starts and completed a six-race qualifying series.

The first day offered somewhat medium conditions, whilst the second day sometimes muscled up with up to 20 knots.

The National Yacht Club's Zara Whelan and Amelia Chapman at their RS Feva dinghy at the UK National Championships in Pwllheli, North Wales

On day one, the group learnt fast from initial mistakes concluding on race three with two top 10 (courtesy of Felix Dion/Lucas Browne and Grace Keating/Hannah Walsh). The rest of the group also secured their best race at the end.

The National Yacht Club's Grace Keating and Hannah Walsh competing at the RS Feva dinghy UK National Championships in Pwllheli, North Wales

On day two, the group found the going challenging in the breeze and despite moments of brilliance, mistakes (capsizes, kites gone fishing...) proved costly; gear was also put to the test with Felix and Lucas suffering gear failure. Two partnerships (Jules Start/Amy O'Halloran and Theo Madigan/Cathal O'Regan) managed to secure their place in the gold fleet.

Five races were completed in the finals. The conditions had gone down to a lovely light to medium Easterly. Gold fleet proved tough and big lessons were learnt by both our teams. The best finishers were RstGYC sailors Jules and Amy in 37th.

The National Yacht Club's Felix Dion and Lucas Browne competing at the RS Feva dinghy UK National Championships in Pwllheli, North Wales

Although a few mistakes were also made in Silver, the results were encouraging and nearer the front, with Felix and Lucas concluding their event with a race win.

The trip away was a first for some sailors, and they certainly enjoyed the competition and the after-sailing fun. The opportunity to learn from the very competitive British fleet was also a great added value to the trip.

Next is now the RS Fest in Blessington, which will also be the Irish nationals. The NYC team is now looking forward to applying the gained experience against the home fleet on June 24-25.

Track the progress of the 2023 Dun Laoghaire to Dingle Yacht Race fleet below here on the live tracker below when the race starts at 2 pm on Wednesday, June 7th, from Dublin Bay.

43 entries are confirmed entries ranging from 32ft to 57 foot, and IRC handicaps are from as low as 0.871 and as high as 1.432!

Read the full 2023 race preview by WM Nixon here and listen to a podcast interview with Race Organiser Adam Winkelmann and Lorna Siggins here.

Read all the 2023 D2D Race News in one handy link here

WM Nixon will be posting regular race updates during the race

With the youth sailing nationals out of the way, the season is launched for the club's junior and youth sailors, writes National Yacht Club Head Coach Thomas Chaix.

If the NYC flagship event - the 133 boats Optimist Leinsters - has been keeping club volunteers on their toes and the sailors eagerly awaiting, racing also happened in 29er (Southerns in Cork), Toppers (Northerns in Carrickfergus) and RS Fevas (Easterns in the RIYC).

Optimist Leinster Championships

The National YC welcomed 132 sailors aged 6 to 15 from all corners of Ireland. Young U10 sailors making their first steps in racing an Optimist enjoyed the mild and light conditions in the harbour whilst the more experienced contingent battled in the light airs of a tidal bay.

The least experienced fleet (regatta Coaching) enjoyed short courses right in front of the club in an arena-style setting under the leadership of the NYC's most experienced instructors. Fifteen kids completed a series of short races but also enjoyed some paddling fun and pirate-style sailing with boats fully crewed with teams of three sailors (it is amazing how many small sailors can 'sail' an optimist!). The club had eight sailors in the fleet.

Louis Trickett with his coach Natasha Hemerick Photo: Paul Michel Ledoux

The entry-level racing fleet (regatta Racing) completed six races in the harbour. The 39 young sailors were challenged by light and shifty conditions and completed their event with smiles, and singing, yet learning valuable lessons under the leadership of the IODAI and NYC coaches. The locals featured well, with Louis Trickett convincingly winning three races out of six giving him a comfortable lead overall. A further 9 NYC sailors competed with very good individual races secured for Zara Whelan (a 3rd and a 4th), Michael Hanley (a few top 10s), Ben Chaix (a 3rd in the opening race & 1st U9), Josephine Dion (youngest sailor in the fleet securing 9th in the final race)

With 18 NYC sailors competing in the entry-level fleets, the future is bright at the club!

The main fleets completed three races on Sunday. It was a family affair in the Junior fleet at the front, with Maeve Donagh edging out her sister Emily for the title. NYC Basile Dion grew stronger throughout the day to eventually manage to squeeze ahead of the girls on the final race, securing 3rd overall and first Silver sailor. Jacob Browne (NYC, too), who was still sailing in the regatta fleet last year, was a notable performance taking 4th overall and First bronze. The skills displayed at the front of the fleet are very encouraging. The older sailors dominated the senior fleet, showing that experience was key to success. Youth nationals champion Harry Dunne (HYC/NYC) confirmed his good form with a solid series edging his two worlds team teammates Caoilinn Geraghty-McDonnell (RstGYC) and Gemma Brady (NYC/LDYC).

Nine of the NYC club sailors competed in total yet again with some excellent individual race performance and showing some sizeable improvement from last year, all credit to their winter training and the hard work of their main coach Conor Gorman.

And last but not least... The club made an outstanding job with mammoth work from class captains and their team of volunteers reminding all that the backbone of successful junior events is time, dedication and certainly not counting the endless hours of preparation. Viking Marine and Craftinsure made valuable contributions helping towards the success of the event.

Topper squad selection

The winter started with an embryonic topper group training in the bay. The club has gone a long way, and we now have a core of 6-7 sailors training three of which (Hannah Walsh, Grace Keating, and Rory Brennan-Hobbs) earned selection in the Irish Sailing summer squad.

Grace Keating secured yet another top three Junior Lady at the Northerns!

RS Feva preparation for the UK nationals

There has been an RS Feva push in the club this winter. The class offers a great transition to juniors from Optimist towards the 29er and great opportunities to develop double-handed skills by dual sailing a single-handed class with the Double handed Feva.

Zara Whelan and Amelia chapman at full hike in their RS Feva dinghy Photo: Thomas Chaix

The season started with 29 entries (of which nine were from the National YC) Easterns. After taking lessons from the Ballyholme team (three in the top four), the group had a clinic with the NYC head coach as their final preparation for the UK nationals. The five boats team will travel on Friday to Wales to line up against the best GBR partnerships over the weekend. Excitement was palpable when packing the boats at the weekend.

The National Yacht Club's Hannah Walsh & Grace Keating were second in the Silver fleet Easterns (7th overall) RS Feva Easterns Photo: Thomas Chaix

29ers Academy selection and entry-level development plans

The NYC was retained as the newly formed 29er Academy base. Two boats have been selected so far: NYC partnerships (Ben O'Shaugnessy & Ethan Spain and William Walsh & Conor Flynn).

29er racing at the Southern Championships at Royal Cork Yacht Club Photo: Bob Bateman

If the Southern title evaded the club teams in early May, NYC once more showed the strength of their skiff programme with two top-five secured, and the club is looking at the next generation of 29er sailors development with summer courses and clinics focusing on entry-level sailors.

Dun Laoghaire Harbour's National Yacht Club will be hosting a Match Racing Invitational supported by Viking Marine in its fleet of Elliott 6m one-design keelboats on the 27th and 28th of May

Building on the success of the inaugural Student Match Racing Nationals this year and the recent match racing series, NYC is delighted to promote the development of match racing in Ireland and is aiming to host a National Championships later this year.

Full details are outlined in the NOR attached below.

Skippers can submit a Request for Invitation, which must be completed no later than 23:59 Monday 22 May at this link

Len Sheil – “Skipper” to his many friends for as long as anyone can remember – was the very embodiment of Dun Laoghaire sailing with a cruising emphasis, as his father Commander Richard Sheil RNR, was Harbour Master of the unique and extensive “artificial yet natural” port from 1938 to 1948. Thus young Len’s already close relationship with the Dun Laoghaire way with boats was at a particularly intensive stage during his most formative years from the age of four to 14 when his father was in the Harbour Office, thereby adding to the intensity of his relationship with his home place. And at the end of this special time, the son was already moving from peak parental influence in the maritime sphere to having his own circle of friends around boats, the sea, and with Dun Laoghaire in all its many manifestations, reinforcing it as a central element in his character for all of his 88 years.

MERCHANT MARINE

In fact, the only time he was away from year-round living in Dun Laoghaire was the seven years he spent with the Merchant Marine as a Marconi Radio Officer, including time with Irish Shipping, when that very special company was in its golden years, his radio speciality providing him with several global circumnavigations and more than 30 crossings of the Atlantic.

Initially, his sailing and early racing had been with his older brother David in a venerable clinker-built craft, a former motorized harbour launch which, at the end of its working life, had been re-born as a useful sailing dinghy, complete unto a bowsprit, and named Popeye.

The first co-command – with brother David, Len brings the former motorized harbour launch Popeye into the little harbour at Blackrock on a rising tide, with his father, the Dun Laoghaire Harbour-Master, taking the lines. Photo: Hazel Sheil

This had been at a time when new boats were completely unavailable, so the conversion of Popeye was ingenious. But as Fireflies and IDRA 14s began to spread into the Dun Laoghaire fleet, Len and David joined them to race from the Royal St George Yacht Club during the 1950s and early ’60s.

After sea service, he began to build a shore career in the insurance industry, working first in an established brokerage and then setting up his own healthily developing firm. This was something that he found so satisfying that even when supposedly retired with a free travel pass should he wish to use it, he was soon dabbling as a successful business pioneer in the video rental business.

NATIONAL YACHT CLUB & IRISH CRUISING CLUB

Domestic life was a natural for him, and at his passing he’d been married to Hazel Roche for 63 years. With a home in Glenageary, he’d transferred his sailing centre to the National Yacht Club, as it is most directly the Glenageary district’s natural link to the sea. He found the cruising element in that congenial club to be his place of special friendship, such that when he ordered a new 25ft cruising sloop from builders in Itchenor on Chichester Harbour in Sussex, his NYC friends Aidan Dunne and Bill Crosbie, together with Hazel’s brother Charlie Roche, readily joined up to help him sail her home.

The new boat was named Gailey Bay after the extensive inlet on the west shore of Lough Ree where Hazel’s family had formerly been so involved with inland waterways high summer sailing that they used to stage their own regattas there. Len himself was meanwhile being drawn into sailing administration of a different kind, as he joined the Irish Cruising Club in 1968 and he and his friend Aidan Dunn were to form a key administrative double act for the ICC for many years as it approached its Golden Jubilee in 1979, with Aidan as Honorary Secretary and Len as Honorary Treasurer.

THE TOTAL CRUISING FAMILY

The complete picture of the Sheil clan as a model cruising family came in 1975, when they’d a classic all-ages family cruise to Scotland with Gailey Bay, which Hazel wrote up for the ICC Annual. With all four children – Lenny (13), Bobby (10), Gilly (8) and Susie (4) on the strength, the little headroom-lacking boat was at her ship’s company number limits. But by taking the interesting route north from Dun Laoghaire to Peel in the Isle of Man and then Portpatrick in southwest Scotland, they were lined up to access the “real” West Coast via the Crinan Canal – an ideal project as its workings fascinate young sailors, and you make new friends at every lock.

The Skipper – Len Sheil as his friends remember him, living for the moment and enjoying every second of it. Photo courtesy Hazel Sheil

They were to use 23 new anchorages in all, with a highlight being a visit rowing their own dinghy into Fingal’s Cave on Staffa, an experience so unique to cruising your own boat that it puts any visit to Staffa’s related geological formations of the Giant’s Causeway on Ireland’s north coast into the ha’penny place.

Other notable cruises in “the little blue boat with all the children” were to West Cork where, in Courtmacsherry, they were to strike up a lifelong friendship with explorer Tim Severin. But the immaculately-maintained Gailey Bay – with which Len was able to demonstrate the truth of his dictum that the most important additive in perfect varnish work was elbow-grease - had very rapidly passed the stage of being suitable for a growing family with rising cruising aspirations, and Len and Hazel found their dreamship in the Holman-designed full-headroom all-wood Sterling 28 Gay Gannet, which they bought from Mungo Park.

“The little blue boat with all the children in it” – Gailey Bay in North Harbour, Cape Clear, in 1972 Photo: Courtesy Hazel Sheil

Prior to the Park ownership, Gay Gannet had been for many years in the fastidious hands of Jack Wolfe, and Len was if anything determined to raise the already high standards of maintenance. Thus she was a natural star at events like the Glandore Classic Regatta, where she not only was in the frame in the concours d’elegance category, but won races as well.

And on a broader canvas, she was well able for husband-and-wife ventures, such as round Ireland multi-stop circuits and intriguing cruising voyages to other locations “beyond the seas”, during which any fellow cruising enthusiast would be enriched by meeting up with the Skipper and Hazel, as their quiet yet total enthusiasm for this special way of life was an inspiration and encouragement for all cruising folk.

Although he was slowing down on his active involvement in sailing by his late seventies, Len continued as a highly-respected senior figure in the Dun Laoghaire maritime scene, and he and Hazel were regular and popular supporters of the National Yacht Club and its hospitality facilities right to the end, when he was also known to be continuing to practice his radio-signalling skills as an ongoing mental exercise.

Len “Skipper” Sheil was a benign and quietly inspiring presence, a beneficial influence for many simply by being himself. He will be much missed, and our heartfelt condolences go to Hazel and his family and his very many friends.

WMN

When the weather plays ball, the kids enjoy sailing! The two weeks of the Easter break may have been cold and split by the last (we hope) storm of the season, but they certainly deliver some great sailing for our juniors, starting with a week of the home open-based clinics and courses and concluding with the Youth Sailing Nationals where our top sailors battled for the six nationals titles on offer.

Smiles, capsizes, fun and final pre-nationals sessions

Conor Gorman left his Optimist Performance group to head coach Thomas Chaix for the week focusing on the up-and-coming future talents. The 7 to 12 years old kept him and his team on their toes as they enjoyed medium winds within the harbour walls. And if sailing was not enough, the kids were all smiles when adding an hour of fun on kayaks each day.

Thanks to 49er FX owner Lauren O'Callaghan, a few young sailors also had the opportunity to experience the thrill of trapezing and fast boats under the watchful eyes of the head coach.

Sailors with their eyes set on the Youth nationals also trained in three short day clinics in Toppers, Fevas and Optimist. The club platform was buzzing with laughter, capsizes stories and the growing anticipation of the first big event of the year approaching. Ballyholme's Matthew Holden, Howth's Harry Dunne, Tralee's Ben Chaix, Tipperary girls Gemma and Grace and a small contingent of South East Topper sailors were welcome additions to the club sessions demonstrating that serious training can work hand in hand with friendship, family and fun.

The week concluded for the Optimist team with the Brassed off Cup in Howth, a traditional one-day event on Good Friday to welcome the return of chocolate treats!

The NYC team used the event as a stepping stone towards their final preparation for the Youth nationals but also a good way to test winter lessons for the sailors who were not selected to take part. Team NYC was the largest group showing our support for the event organised by one of our partner clubs. The team picked up four out of the nine prizes on offer. (Louis Trickett led the regatta fleet with Ben Chaix in 3rd. Jacob Browne took silver in Junior and Harry Dunne Bronze in Senior)

And Storm Noah came putting all activities to a halt for a few days.

Youth Nationals in Howth

The youth nationals is a unique event on the calendar as all the Performance Pathway classes compete over four days in a single venue to decide on 6 Youth titles. Team NYC was composed of 25 sailors competing in 20 boats. The club had representation in four of the six classes competing and confirmed NYC as the premier club in skiff sailing (number of entries and performance).

Some of the National Yacht Club team at the Youth Sailing Nationals at Howth Yacht Club Photo: Thomas Chaix

Some of the National Yacht Club team at the Youth Sailing Nationals at Howth Yacht Club

The team of coaches was led by club head coach Thomas Chaix to deliver support to the sailors ashore and afloat.

On the Junior course, Team NYC had a young and relatively new Topper group most of which only retired from Optimist sailing during the latter part of the winter. They enjoyed some excellent individual races, including a 4th (Grace Keating), a 5th (Hannah Walsh), Three 8ths (two courtesy of Rory Brennan-Hobbs and one from Hannah Walsh). The team is now gearing up towards the Northerns in Carrickfergus at the end of the month.
NYC sole sailor in the ILCA4 James Hall competed for 2 days before reverting to rugby duties (and a great win in the league final) with his best score as an 18th position in race 2.

On the Youth Course, the club 29ers displayed an impressive set of skills with a grand battle at the front between now 3 times youth national champion Ben O'Shaugnessy and crew Ethan Spain and club mates Clementine and Nathan Van Steenberge. The only race the two pairs did not win was snatched by U17 world champions Lucia Cullen and Alanna Twomey. Completing the top five were team NYC sailors Lauren O'Callaghan and crew James Dwyer and fast progressing William Walsh and Conor Flynn. Eoin Byrne and Alexander Trickett had their ups and down, finally taking 8th overall.

The high-stakes Optimist fleet completed ten races with the usual drama, smiles, close finishes and a display of skills in the youngest sailors in the country.

Team NYC was composed by eight sailors in the 43-boat fleet. It must be noted that the event is only open to sailors who have earned selection through their previous year's ranking.

Locally based sailor Harry Dunne revealed in the varied conditions with a consistent series about edging out his nearest rival by a point for the title. After a wobbly start, Gemma Brady delivered an outstanding series for her first participation at the event, just about missing out on the podium (4th). Both sailors will be part of the five-sailor team Ireland going to the world championship in Spain in June.

Louise Hanley (17th) and James Gorman (21st) also earned selection in team Ireland and have been offered to represent the club and the country at the French summer cup as members of the 8 sailors International Development team.

Agonisingly, Matthew Holden's 24th position meant he is currently the first sub for that team.

The season is now launched, and sailors are already looking forward to the next events in May

• Topper Northerns, Carrickfergus
• 29er Southerns, RCYC
• Feva Easterns, RIYC
• Optimist Leinsters, NYC
• Feva UK nationals, Pwllheli

Afloat.ie regrets to record the death in his 89th year of Len "Skipper" Sheil of the National Yacht Club, Dun Laoghaire, who was the epitome of the quiet yet effectively enthusiastic Dublin Bay sailor with a strong and active interest in classic cruising yachts.

A full appreciation will appear in due course; meanwhile, our heartfelt sympathies are with his family and many friends.

The funeral is in St Joseph's Church, Glasthule, Co. Dublin at 10.0am on Friday, April 14th.