From the start to the finish of 2018, Eoghan Duffy of Lough Ree Yacht Club and Cathal Langan of Clontarf Yacht & Boat Club and Sutton Dinghy Club were on a mission to put their stamp on the international Mirror dinghy sailing circuit. 2018 was a year of focused training, events and preparation all for one purpose, the 18th International Mirror World Championships hosted by Woollahra Sailing Club on Sydney Harbour and to flag the Irish flag at this prestigious event.
Following their 2nd place finish at the Irish Mirror Nationals and a 13th place finish out of 44 boats at the UK Mirror Nationals in Ullswater Yacht Club in 2018, Duffy & Langan and their boat “A Close Shave” headed to Sydney after Christmas to take on the best Mirror Sailors in the World.
59 Mirrors from around the World made the journey comprising of adult and youth helms with past and current champions from the Mirror and other fleet types.
Sydney Harbour whilst a stunning location is also a very congested navigation channel and presents numerous obstacles such as seaplanes and cruise ships. It is also a tricky place to understand weather conditions and how the local landscape can lead to very variable circumstances.
Over 5 days of sailing with 12 races in total, Duffy & Langan finished in 22nd position overall out of a fleet of 59 and winners of the Junior category. Highlights were finishes of a 10th, 11th and a 12th over the regatta which given the very dominant number of adult helms was a brilliant result and bodes well for junior sailing in Ireland.
To cap off a memorable event for them, the term Sydney Southerly Buster will send tingles down their spines forever more. On Day 4, the Sydney Buster came to pass with a 180 degree wind shift from North to South and winds gusting 35knots blazing across the course. Of the 59 boats that started that day, only 31 remained by the end of the 2 races sailed in extremely tough conditions. Duffy & Langan sailed through it and returned to shore in a thunder & lightning storm – a true testament to winter training on Lough Ree.
Australian Olympic gold medalist Tom Slingsby, presented the prizes to the Irish duo
Their prize was awarded to them by Tom Slingsby, America’s Cup Winner and Wendy Tuck, Clipper Round the World Skipper.
With Mirror Sailing in Ireland growing in numbers, it augurs well for the next Mirror Worlds to be hosted by Sligo Yacht Club in 2021.
