The Mirror Nationals were hosted by Rush Sailing Club at the weekend as part of the club’s dinghy festival. The Mirrors were joined by the RS Aero class, also sailing their Nationals, while the club senior regatta added fleets of Mermaids and GP14s.
Race Officer Scorie Walls split the fleets on a trapezoid course, sending the two Nationals on an outer loop with a number of laps to suit the speed differences, while the club regatta sailed an inner loop. Interaction between fleets was kept to a minimum on the racecourse, all credit to the race management.
Boats came from all corners of Ireland — Sligo, Kerry, Dun Laoghaire, Wicklow, Strangford Lough, Blessington and Belfast — thanks to a dedicated group of parents, some sailing with their kids and some simply enjoying a weekend away supporting their young sailors.
The class welcomed sailing legend Iain Percy, double Olympic gold medallist, who sailed with his son Leon. With our usual high-profile guest also in attendance, it was a great event for all our young aspiring and progressing juniors! It is not every day juniors can race on the same start line as Olympians and multiple world champions. And they certainly took on the challenge.
On the racing side, the battle for the title was a mano a mano between Ger Owens and his daughter Robyn and Ross Kearney, with his sons Eliott and Freddy alternating crewing duties. Recently crowned GP14 world champion, Ger Owens did not have it his own way this time, and the Kearneys concluded their challenge a mere two points adrift.
Overall Champions: Ger and Robyn Owens of Wicklow Sailing Club celebrate winning the Mirror Nationals after a close six-race contest, taking the title by two points
The bronze medal position was very uncertain until the final race. Arguably, Percy’s few extra kgs added to the challenge. He prevailed to pick up the final podium position, but not without having to fend off Max and Freya Treacy and juniors Michael Hanley and Ben Chaix. Only two points separated the three teams after the six-race series.
If the front-runners had their battles in the tidal currents of Rush, positions kept swapping at every level of the fleet, keeping it as competitive as ever. The fleet as a whole has certainly progressed immensely in the last few years.
The arrival of adults introducing their young kids to sailing has delivered the needed push to grow a competitive class, and the ballet of spinnakers, ably trimmed in the waves and high winds of Sunday, was a clear testament to this progress.
But it was not all about sailing! Camping, BBQ and disco were on the menu on Saturday night, but not before Ger ran a brilliant Q&A with Iain, teasing one of the greatest Olympians with personal and general questions. Iain was simply inspirational to all the sailors attending.
The last words go to Iain Percy: “Talent was good, but ultimately it came down to work ethic and discipline to reach the dizzy heights of Olympic medals.”
He also said, “Sailing with someone, in particular friends, magnifies the experience of success. Making sailing accessible and affordable is key to sailing’s future, but overall it’s a truly amazing sport, and I am grateful to be part of it.”
Nationals Winners
OVERALL
1st Ger and Robyn Owens, WSC, 6pts
2nd Ross and Eliott/Freddy Kearney, RNIYC, 8pts
3rd Iain and Leon Percy, SLYC, 19pts
YOUTH (U19)
Youth Champions: Michael Hanley and Ben Chaix of NYC/TBSC won the U19 title at Rush, finishing fourth overall and just two points outside the senior podium
1st Michael Hanley and Ben Chaix, NYC/TBSC, 21pts
2nd Annelies Rooney and Noah Caliendo, SYC, 30pts
3rd Lucy and Dara Coulter, SYC, 42pts
JUNIORS (U15)
Junior Champions: Sam Smith and Freddie Nelson of Blessington Lakes Sailing Club took the U15 title at the Mirror Nationals in Rush, finishing on 47 points
1st Sam Smith and Freddie Nelson, BLSC, 47pts
2nd Annika and Isaac Flynn, NYC/BLSC, 61pts
3rd Reuben Nelson and Clara Stapleton, BLSC, 61pts
LADIES
1st Molly Nelson and Hannah O’Meara, BLSC, 48pts
The class has two events left on the calendar.
19-20 September: Easterns in Blessington.
10-11 October: Northerns at Malahide YC.
