There was something truly special in the air at Sligo Yacht Club last weekend as the Mirror Nationals 2025 got underway. Sailors from all over the country—families, friends, juniors, rookies, and experienced hands—gathered at the slip under the watchful eye of Benbulben, rigging boats with a buzz of excitement and anticipation. Whether it was your first Nationals or your tenth, the vibe was the same: joy, energy, and a whole lot of love for this brilliant class. With organiser Nancy Rooney and her incredible team at the helm, everything was set up for success. Great racing, a surprise visit from a pod of dolphins, a spin to Coney Island, and of course the famous Sligo YC BBQ—there was just as much fun off the water as on it. New Categories, New Faces, Same Amazing Atmosphere.
A fun trip to Coney Island
This year, the prize categories got a refresh to reflect the incredible talent and diversity growing in the class. With more youth sailors, all-female teams, and rookies joining the fleet, it felt only right to celebrate the full range of talent taking part. And it didn’t take long for some new names to grab the spotlight.
Kicking Things Off in Style
The first day of racing brought 8–10 knots of steady westerly breeze and a proper tactical test thanks to the tidal twists of Sligo Bay. Ross Kearney and crew Elliott made a flying start in Race 1, leading around the top mark with Max and Freya Treacy, Thomas and Alayna Chaix, and juniors Michael Hanley and Ben Chaix all in hot pursuit.
Runner up Ross and Eliott ( On Fire Flash)
Defending champions Ger and Robyn Owens found themselves back in fifth at the first mark, their nerves just showing—but they quickly settled in, climbed through the fleet, and began their title defence in strong form.
Youth champions Annelies and Noah (on Blue away)
There was early drama too—Michael and Ben were showing great pace before a broken tiller forced them ashore, missing Race 2 entirely while sourcing a replacement. That opened the door in the youth and junior standings, and Annika and Isaac Flynn stepped up with three rock-solid races, including a fantastic 5th in Race 3.
A Friday Evening to Remember
After a day on the water, the fun moved ashore—or rather, offshore! Nancy Rooney and her team arranged an unforgettable trip to Coney Island, ferrying the fleet by club RIBs for pizza and stories in a local pub. It was a truly magical evening, full of laughter, connection, and the kind of moments that make this class so special.
Saturday: Light Breeze, Big Smiles
Saturday dawned bright and calm, and while the fleet launched in hope, the wind didn’t play ball. The only attempted race was abandoned after one slow lap and a surprise soaking. But spirits never dipped.
Instead, the day became one of shared joy and unexpected magic—dolphins arrived in numbers, playing and splashing among the boats for nearly 30 minutes. Kids were buzzing, parents were grinning, and phones were working overtime to capture the moment.
With racing off the cards, everyone leaned into the social side. The tidal pool across the road became the hub, with pier jumps, swims, and even a pop-up sea sauna session for parents. Some explored the beach, others swapped stories at the club, but the Mirror atmosphere—laid-back, inclusive, and buzzing.
Sunday: Racing Returns and Titles Take Shape
By Sunday morning, the breeze had returned and so had the racing. Race Officer Michael Conway made the most of it, getting four races away in lovely 8–10 knot conditions.
The opening race saw Ross, Thomas, and Michael lead early, but Ger and Robyn used their experience and pace to work their way back to the front. The juniors stayed right in the mix.
Junior Champions Michael and Ben (on Pocket Rocket)
Race 5 saw the same core group battling it out, but this time the junior team of Michael and Ben held their nerve for a strong podium finish. Meanwhile, Annelies Rooney and Noah Caliendo quietly chipped away, holding onto the youth lead with another solid race.
In Race 6, Thomas and Alayna made the most of a great pin-end start to lead for a lap in before Ger and Robyn came through to take their sixth race win, and seal back-to-back titles.
Classic rig winners Thomas and Alayna (On Renaissance)
The final race, Max and Freya Treacy delivered a clinical start and strong positioning to edge ahead of Thomas and Alayna, reclaiming third place overall. Michael and Ben pushed hard again, but Annelies and Noah kept their composure and their lead,securing the youth prize and a well-earned nomination for the Junior Helmsman’s Trophy.
Junior crews (Robyn, Alayna, Freya, Eliott and Freddie)
Updated Categories Celebrate a Growing Class
This year saw new prize categories introduced to better reflect the diversity and rising talent across the class. With all-female partnerships, youth skippers, and Rookies all represented, the results told a story of a fleet that’s growing in both numbers and energy.
Final Results:
National Champions: Ger and Robyn Owens
2nd Overall: Ross and Eliott/Freddie Kearney
3rd Overall: Max and Freya Treacy
4th Overall & Top Classic Boat: Thomas and Alayna Chaix (4th overall)
Best Youth (U19): Annika Rooney and Noah Caliendo (7th overall)
Best Juniors (U15): Michael Hanley and Ben Chaix (8th overall)
Best Ladies Team: Molly Nelson and Hannah O'Meara (14th overall)
The True Mirror Experience
As always, the Nationals were about far more than results. For the kids, it was about dolphins, pier jumps, and post-race pot noodles. For the parents, it was the community, the craic, and the chance to watch their young sailors grow in confidence and skill.
The camping area buzzed all weekend. The beach was full of laughter. And Sligo Yacht Club once again showed why it's such a beloved home for this class.
Next Stop: Cullaun August 30th / 31st Westerns
With boats packed for various club regattas, the goodbyes said (for now), and prizegiving wrapped up in the clubhouse, one thing was clear—the Mirror class in Ireland is in brilliant shape. The talent is growing, the spirit is stronger than ever, and the sense of community is unmatched.
Next up is Cullaun on the last weekend of August. All are welcome.
Mirror Nationals 2025 results
