Skerries Sailing Club was a hive of activity last weekend as 113 enthusiastic young sailors aged 8-15 gathered from all over Ireland for the second regional event on the 2022 IODAI circuit, the Optimist Leinster Championships.
The sailing club put on a great reception for sailors and parents alike. The all-important goodie bags, including T-Shirts and ice cream vouchers got the thumbs up from the whole fleet.
In the main fleet Race Officer Liam Dinneen and his team made the most of the steady 10-15 knot Northwesterlies by getting four races completed for both Junior and Senior Main Fleet Divisions on Saturday. Sunday threatened to be a day of even stronger Northerlies, but fortunately, the wind abated for a few hours allowing a full schedule of six races to be completed.
The Irish Optimist fleet in action including UKR71 Photo: Anne Marie Hickey
A particular highlight of the weekend was the consistent series put together by talented Ukranian Sailor Sasha Bezpalyi sailing in his first regatta in Ireland.
In the Senior Main Gold Fleet Harry Dunne from Howth Yacht Club took 1st place, with Sasha (sailing with MYC) in 2nd place and Abigail Murphy from RSGYC in 3rd.
Juliet Ryan won the Junior Main Gold Fleet Photo: Anne Marie Hickey
In the Junior Main Fleet Gold Division, Juliet Ryan from Malahide Yacht Club was 1st, closely following by clubmate Patrick Fegan in 2nd place and Andrew Mannion from LRYC in 3rd place.
Meanwhile in the Regatta Fleet, Race Officer Kieran Branagan packed in 7 races across the two days. Aurele Dion from NYC put together an extremely consistent series to take 1st place ahead of Charlie McKibben Monkstown Bay Sailing Club and Jacob Browne from NYC.
Aurele Dion 1st Place in Regatta Fleet Photo: Anne Marie Hickey
Skerries SC also had 11 local sailors competing and for many it was their first experience of a large regional regatta. It's hoped this will kickstart a Skerries Optimist Team that will take to the circuit later this year.
The event organisers are extremely appreciative for the support from their huge team of local volunteers, as well as the neighbouring sailing clubs and individuals who provided additional safety boats for the weekend.
The Optimist fleet with Rockabill Lighthouse in the background Photo: Anne Marie Hickey
Skerries SC would also like to acknowledge the generous support from our sponsors including Fingal County Council, CraftInsure, Stoop Your Head Restaurant, Oakes Pharmacy, Med Account Services, Coco C and Colour Green Landscaping.
Next on the agenda for the Optimist fleet will be a trip west to Oranmore, Galway Bay for the Connaught Championships at GBSC on 9&10 July.
Results here
