Malahide YC hosted the final Mirror of the Year at the weekend. The Northerns delivered the final act of a full season, and the estuary certainly delivered exciting racing over 8 races for the 17 competing partnerships. The fleet continues its metamorphosis and gradual growth in both numbers and competitiveness, with incredible progress from young partnerships battling legends of our sport and returning ex-Mirror champions keen to introduce their kids to the little red sails. The fleet caters for kids as young as 5 sailing with their parents and teenagers building on their sailing and life skills alike.
Cooperation, teamwork, and learning from some of the best in our sport, all in a good spirit of camaraderie: this is what the Mirror family is about!
Strong Winds Test Mirror Crews on Saturday
Saturday's strong wind forecast certainly materialised, and RO Niall Gallagher did not back off, offering 4 super exciting races. With 20kts and gusts well over 25kts at times, the little crews were put to the test, and early casualties hit the adult helms cohort, who decided to enjoy the day from the shoreline.
The first race saw the expected front runners in battle, but disaster struck for Thomas and Alayna Chaix when the rudder of Renaissance, the only wooden boat in competition, gave in on the second lap after a mad full-speed reach with spinnaker up, leaving a free run to Iain and Leon Percy to the first race win. Another casualty was Ger Owens and his son, forced to retire too with spinnaker halyard issues. Amongst the juniors, Favourites Michael Hanley and Ben Chaix took a long, unexpected swim, while Sam Smith and Jennifer Claffey made the most of the big breeze to take 3rd on the line. Another notable performance came from young Ryan Coulter, who sailed with his friend Ben Caliendo (and left mum ashore for a change) to take a brilliant 4th on the line.
Spinnaker Ballet – A colourful display of spinnakers fills the Malahide Estuary as Mirror crews compete in the 2026 Northern Championships, with 17 partnerships completing eight races over the weekend
Iain led the second race once more, with Ger back in action... But Ger fell foul of a course rule and collected an unfortunate DSQ. The juniors took advantage, with Michael snatching 2nd, closely followed by Sam, in what was likely the windiest race of the day, as a strong shower passed.
Ger Owens finally got his house in order, taking two strong race wins to finish the day with Michael Hanley and Ben Chaix hot on his transom. The ballet of spinnakers from the remaining fighters in the big breeze was impressive from shore, and with the gybe mark barely 200 meters from the club windows, it provided a brilliant show.
Percy Takes Narrow Overnight Lead
Overnight, triple Olympic Medalist Iain Percy sailed with his son Leon (SLYC) to a narrow 1-1-3-DNC lead over juniors Michael Hanley (NYC) and Ben Chaix (TBSC) (9-2-2-2). Sam Smith and Jennifer Claffey (BlSC) completed the podium with a solid day in the breeze (3-3-8-3).
Family Honours – The 2026 Mirror Northerns podium at Malahide YC, with champions Iain and Leon Percy joined by runners-up Ger and Ger Junior Owens and third-placed juniors Michael Hanley and Ben Chaix
Sunday's Lighter Breezes Bring Close Racing
Sunday morning welcomed the fleet to a glassy estuary, and after a short wait for the wind, sailors enjoyed the incredible hospitality of the Malahide YC organising team. The fleet eventually launched in sunshine and a gentle but building south-easterly.
The first race saw Ger Owens speed rewarded as he took an early lead, closely followed by Simon McGrotty and his daughter Meghan, but with the windward mark straight into the glare of the sun, both sailors missed the windward layline, with Thomas Chaix realising the mistake first, squeezing a narrow lead he held until the finish, proving once more that wooden boats are still competitive against the newer Winder foam sandwich units. Iain Percy followed, confirming his grip on the overalls.
In the second race, a four-boat battle materialised, with Ger eventually edging out Max Tracey, Thomas Chaix, and Iain Percy. Experience and good shift work prevailed. In the Juniors, Sam 6th put some pressure on Michael (8th) for the top youth spot with 2 races to go.
Race 7 was surely one of the day's most exciting, with leaders swapping all around. Rory and Noah Higgins took the early lead, closely followed by Simon. On the second reach, a low lane paid off for Thomas, squeezing just ahead of Ger... He held his lead until the start of the final upwind to the finish, before Ger eventually got past to take his 4th race win and surge back into a podium position. Simon McGrotty completed the podium.
The final race was to be just one lap. Thomas once again played the right side of the course well to squeeze into the lead at the first windward, with the two grey boats of Michael and Ger hot on his transom. With the little crews in action on the two adult boats, Ger Junior's kite trim did the job on the second reach, earning the Grey Winder boat the overlap at the leeward and the lead. The battle for third was equally intense, with Lucy and Dara Coulter picking their best race of the event for last and snatching the top junior spot from Michael and Ben right on the finish line.
Iain and Leon Percy Claim Northern Championship
Overall, Experience prevailed, with Iain and Leon Percy securing the Northerns trophy, followed by triple Olympian Ger Owens and his Son Ger junior... The final podium spot went to the juniors, with Michael Hanley and Ben Chaix edging out Lucy and Dara Coulter (4th) and top U15 Sam Smith and Jennifer Claffey (5th).
Molly Nelson Named Sailor of the Year
The Sailor of the Year award recognises someone who has made a particularly positive contribution to the Mirror fleet during the season. It is not simply an award for the sailor with the best race results. When voting, sailors should consider someone who may have improved significantly during the season and shown enthusiasm, determination, and good sportsmanship.
Fleet Favourite – Molly Nelson receives the 2026 Mirror Sailor of the Year award at Malahide Yacht Club, recognising her enthusiasm, sportsmanship and contribution to supporting younger sailors throughout the season
Sharing knowledge or experience with others, helping, coaching, training, guiding, or mentoring other sailors, as well as encouraging newer or younger sailors, are key elements in determining the recipient of the award, as they help bring the Mirror sailing family together. Molly met all the criteria and was a popular choice in the fleet.
Ger Owens (with crews Robyn and Ger Junior) won the overall season rankings, while Michael Hanley and Ben Chaix secured the Youth ranking.
By all accounts, Malahide delivered an exciting and brilliant conclusion to the 2026 season, and the fleet is already looking forward to 2027 and the lead-up to the Worlds in the UK.
