The Mirror class could not dream about a better weekend to launch its 2025 season. Hosted together with the Fireballs Leinsters by Blessington Lakes Sailing Club, the event was a success under balmy Irish sunshine, light winds, and the unique, friendly atmosphere that Blessington volunteers manage to create.
Camping, stand-up paddle boarding, kayaking, and canoeing got out, with the kids having the time of their lives waiting for the breeze, whilst the older sailors enjoyed coffees and catching up after a long winter.
And eventually, Race officer Richard Street's patience was rewarded with winds appearing on the south side, rapidly building ripples over the full surface of the lake... So both fireballs and Mirrors headed out for a late afternoon bit of racing. So the chase for the first trophies of the year was on! The Mirror class is unique with old stars sailing with their kids, the youngest being just 7, battling rising juniors progressing and building experience at the contact of these more experienced sailors. No other class offers young sailors the opportunity to race former Olympians, experienced coaches and former world champions.
Triple Olympian Ger Owens coaching three Mirror crew Photo: Nancy Rooney
Race one finally got underway... Shifts and wind strength variations were insane and a head-wrecking, rewarding experience with 5 boats all driven by adults pulling away from the field. Ger Owens and his crew and daughter Robyn took the initial lead over Ross and Eliott Kearney... a little further back Max and 7 year old Freya Treacy were just about holding Caroline and Dara Coulter whilst Gaff rigged Renaissance crewed by Thomas and Alayna Chaix were finding challenging to keep up with the rhythm imposed by the top 4. Eventually Ross just managed the final shift right to overtake Ger and take the race win. it was a very close finish between Max and Caroline, with Max's Dragonfly taking 3rd. The juniors were a bit further back and got confused on the final leg to finish following sam Smith and Ruben Nelson towards "another lap" at first before rushing back to the finish... The error benefited Lough Derg sailors Ryan and Sean O'Doherty, who got up to 6th, securing the first "win" in the under-19 category.
Thomas and Alayna were off a flying start but were still suffering to hold speed and pointing. Ger and Robyn, quickly followed by Max and Freya, managed to overtake the wooden boat just before the initial windward, leaving Thomas to fend off Caroline, strong on his tail. Ross missed the initial two shifts with the juniors enjoying his company for a full lap. He eventually managed to shake off Michael Hanley and Ben Chaix sailing "Pocket Rocket"... And the order remained the same to the finish.
The wind was holding, so our Race officer started yet another race despite a few kids calling for dinner time! It must have been the smell of the pizza oven warming up! The juniors are learning fast with Annelies Rooney crewed by Lucy Coulter leebowing Thomas and Alayna and forcing them to tack off shortly after the start. Michael and Ben were not far either and the fleet was a lot more compact reaching the first windward chasing Ger once more in the lead. The shifty conditions however favoured once more experience over youth and the 5 adult helmed boats managed yet one more time to keep the juniors chasing. Michael and Ben had a good lead when disaster stroke with the white spinaker dropping down and going under the boat on the final reach. Ben's fast reaction saved the 6th and top junior spot... but no fish collected for the evening BBQ. Annelies took 2nd junior edging out Ryan.
And sailors enjoyed a brilliant evening playing games.
A glassy lake welcomed the sailors on the sunday morning and the kayaks were once more out... As we started to look at the points after 3 races and prizes distribution, the breeze shifted North and picked up... the challenge was to get the younger sailors out of the water as they were having too much fun. Ger found the best way to get the Alayna, Freya and Robyn out was to put them on the same boat: "Ger's angels". Partnerships of the future?
Race 4 started in 5-6 kts. Thomas and Alayna were once more fast off the starting blocks taking a short lived lead over Ger and Robyn. They however held Ross who had swapped crew looking at the transom of Renaissance. Annelies and Lucy had a great battle for top junior with Michael and Ben. They held the lead until the final lap, but the boys eventually found the opening to overtake and secure the Junior title with a race to spare. Ger and Robyn's win was also sufficient to secure the overall trophy with a race to spare... but the battle was on for 2nd and 3rd in both the overall and the juniors.
Race 5 was very exciting with Max and Freya keeping Thomas and Alayna's attempts to overtake unsucessful earning them the coveted 2nd place overall. Annelies and Lucy had their own battle keeping the other gaff rigged boat driven by Olivia Johnson just behind securing 2nd junior and top girls.
And we all went in... Blessington delivered on every aspect and the rain held away until the prizes giving could be completed with 7 clubs represented on the two main podiums.
Mirror Southern winners Ger and Robyn Owens of Wicklow SC Photo: Nancy Rooney
Top 3 overall
Gold: Ger and Robyn Owens, Wicklow SC
Silver: Maxwell and Freya Treacy, RstGYC
Bronze: Ross and Eliott/Freddie Kearney, RNIYC
Top 3 U19
Gold: Michael Hanley and Ben Chaix, NYC/Tralee Bay SC
Silver: Annelies Rooney and Lucy Coulter, Sligo YC - also first ladies
Bronze: Ryan and Sean Doherty, Lough Derg YC
The class has a very exciting programme for 2025. The next meeting will be once more hosted by Blessington and dedicated to the juniors with a day coaching delivered by triple Olympian and currently the best Mirror sailor in Ireland Ger Owens on Saturday June the 21st before racing for the O'Dowd trophy on Sunday June the 22nd.
The Mirror programme 2025
1. May 10th & 11th – Southerns - Blessington Sailing Club
2. June 21st & 22nd – Training Camp & O’Dowd Cup - Blessington
3. July 18th, 19th & 20th – Nationals – Sligo Yacht Club
4. August 30th & 31st - Westerns - Cullaun Sailing Club
5. September 6th & 7th - Northerns - Rush Sailing Club
6. October 11th & 12th – Easterns – Malahide Yacht Club
