What a weekend in Dun Laoghaire for the start of the season for the Mirror class. The class opener event delivered Champagne-type conditions for the 12 partnerships who made the journey to the National Yacht Club.
The O'Dowd cup is something special for the class as it focuses on the juniors and youth sailors of the fleet, and since its return, it is growing again in popularity, and as the 2025 winners stated, it is the nicest perpetual trophy the class holds, thanks to the donation made by the O'Dowd family a good few years ago.
Another particularity of the event since its return is its clear focus on learning and skill development, with the first day dedicated to training under the guidance of class front-runners. Triple Olympian and Mirror champion Ger Owens led the two coached sessions, assisted by NYC head coach and Classic Mirror champion Thomas Chaix... Boats were inspected and set up for racing, with young sailors paying close attention to the details of making their boats as prepared and fast as possible before even delivering their first tacks of the day. The two sessions afloat were action-packed, with drills focused on boat handling at first, before shifting to longer sailing legs to work on speed and tactics. Once the final debrief concluded, the sailors and parents enjoyed the National YC hospitality with a well-deserved chicken curry.
Mirror crews enjoy bright racing conditions off Dun Laoghaire
Sunday welcomed the sailors with glorious sunshine and 12-15 kts of Northerly wind. The decision was made to race inside the harbour on short windward leewards courses. The O'Dowd cup is to be competed over a series of short 20-minute races. The fleet completed 6 races, and what was amazing was that every single boat finished all races without a single OCS or DNF... 66 scores! No letters!
Cup Holders Michael Hanley and Ben Chaix started strong with two race wins, chased by 2025 Youth national champions Annelies Rooney and Noah Caliendo. With the wind dropping and a few well-managed shifts, the hunters became the hunted. Annelies and Noah scored two race wins ahead of clubmates from Sligo, Lucy and Dara Coulter. They took the lead away from the boys, with Lucy and Dara climbing to a bronze-medal position. Blessington Sam Smith and Freddie Nelson had a great battle against locals Catherine Walsh and Alanna Whelan for the Junior trophy (both sailors must be U15 by the end of the year to qualify for the Lough Erne Cup).
Harbour Hustle — A Mirror dinghy crew races through Dun Laoghaire Harbour during the O’Dowd Cup season opener
Michael and Ben returned to winning affairs on race 5, snatching the lead back on countback with the juniors on their tail (Sam and Freddie just edging out Catherine and Alanna also giving them the lead on countback)... with the breeze holding a nice 6-8 kts, sunshine and a heartbreaking double countback, the sixth race was a must to decide the 2026 champions... And drama we got! Both teams had a poor start and had to find their way up the fleet. At that game of snakes and ladders, it was to be the Sligo partnership that found the best lanes to climb right back on the tail of team mates Lucy and Dara, totally delighted to win the final race. The boys settled for 4th in the race and let the cup go to Sligo. Sam and Freddie kept their cool, taking 3rd on the final race and the Junior cup to Blessington. Catherine and Alanna settled with the top ladies at the event.
O’Dowd Cup winners celebrate at the Mirror class season opener in Dun Laoghaire
The fleet has clearly progressed, the boats are well set up and competitive... The Mirror is delivering yet again! The ethos and culture of the class around fun, friendships, competition with kids as young as 5 or 6 being safely introduced by adults racing alongside junior and youth teams in a friendly and inclusive environment is just not to be missed.
Time for school exams before the fleet returns for our "Two lakes week" starting in Cullaun on 18-19 July for the westerns, followed by a few days training on Lough Ree before competing in Double Ree on 25-26 July... The adults helm will be back, but can they keep the juniors behind this year?
Report by Thomas Chaix
