#mermaid – After a dramatic day when robust conditions proved challenging for everyone, a new name appears on the coveted Mermaid Trophy. Mark Boylan, ably crewed by Niall Collins and Aileen Boylan in "This Is It" from Skerries Sailing Club, completely dominated proceedings today with two race wins.
Lurking in 5th position last night, Mark revelled in the boisterous conditions and sailed superbly displaying outstanding boat handling skills, often flying the spinnaker downwind when others elected not to emulate him.
The first race today experienced very strong squalls and the underlying big swell accentuated by a strong tide, meant that boat handling skills were at a premium.
There were several capsizes and retirements but all the contenders managed to remain unscathed. Jim Carthy, the overnight leader, in Vee posted a 6th and 4th to finish 2nd overall and Paul Smith in "Jill" maintained their outstanding consistency to finish up 3rd overall after his best Championship performance in over 30 years of sailing Mermaids.
Jonathan O Rourke in Tiller Girl finished a strong 2nd in the first race to reassert his interest in the podium positions but a disappointing 6th in the 2nd race dropped him down the standings to 4th overall.
Sam Shiels in Azeezy had a poor day by his standards posting a 7th and a 5th which nonetheless helped him to 5th overall.
Anthony Carthy in Innocence made a last day charge to finish with a 3rd and a 2nd which brought him up to 6th overall and winner of the Daphne Trophy. Brian Mc Nally in his recently acquired 186 was 9th overall and the winner of the Designer Trophy.
Mark Boylan's family is steeped in Mermaid history as his grandfather Joe was a multiple winner of the Mermaid Championships during the 70's and 80's and built many famous quick boats of which Mark's current boat is one. Aileen Boylan is another member of this famous Northside sailing family with a pedigree acquired in the competitive Mirror class. Niall Collins, who sailed with Mark last year in his first Mermaid championships, is a son of Colm Collins who has won this event several times crewing with a variety of Skippers.
Mark is the youngest winner of the Mermaid Championships and as he is in only in his early 20's it looks like he is poised to reproduce the family tradition of becoming a multiple winner of this prestigious trophy for years to come.
Overall results here
Final Overall
1st "This Is it" 177, Mark Boylan, Aileen Boylan and Niall Collins
2nd "Vee" 123, Jim Carthy, Muriel Carthy and Ruari Grimes.
3rd "Jill" 134, Paul Smith, Pat Mangan and Anne Smith
4th "Tiller Girl" 77 Jonathan O Rourke, Alan O Rourke and Dermot O Neill.
5th "Azeezy" 189 Sam Shiels, Con Bisset and Caragh Shiels.
Winner Daphne Trophy "Innocence" 189, Anthony Carthy, Eoin Butterly and Ciaran Hand.
Winner Designer Trophy 186, Brian Mc Nally, Valerie Cronin and Mike Palmer
Winner Crew's race Frankie Browne Jnr.

