Lough Derg Yacht Club hosted the 2025 Optimist Connacht Championships over the weekend, drawing a record 181 boats across four fleets and welcoming more than 70 camping families to the scenic shores of Lough Derg.
Despite the changeable weather, including steady rain on Sunday, the atmosphere remained upbeat thanks to fantastic hospitality, competitive racing, and a strong sense of community, bolstered by some light-hearted rivalry between Tipperary and Cork ahead of Sunday's All-Ireland Hurling Final.
Race Officers John Leech and Damian Maloney delivered a full series across the two days with efficient race management. Onshore, the event ran seamlessly thanks to the efforts of Fred Tottenham, Paraic Slattery, LDYC Commodore Ann Marie Cox and their team of volunteers, whose well-executed planning was praised by sailors, coaches, and parents alike. The Saturday night disco was a highlight of the social calendar, and even as rain continued outside, the dancefloor stayed packed.
Senior Main Fleet:
After four races on Saturday and two on Sunday, the 55-boat senior fleet proved a family affair with the Donagh sisters, fresh from representing Ireland at the Optimist World Championships in Portoroz, Slovenia, in June, battling it out to top the podium. Emily Donagh claimed first, Maeve Donagh second, and Lily Donagh third (all RSGYC and LDYC). They were closely followed by Europeans teammates Isaac Vaughan of RCYC and Kate Spain of RSGYC/HYC in fourth and fifth.
- Emily Donagh – Royal St. George Yacht Club / Lough Derg Yacht Club
- Maeve Donagh – Royal St. George Yacht Club / Lough Derg Yacht Club
- Lily Donagh – Royal St. George Yacht Club / Lough Derg Yacht Club
- Isaac Vaughan – Royal Cork Yacht Club
- Kate Spain – Royal St. George Yacht Club / Howth Yacht Club
Junior Main Fleet
The 51-boat Junior Main fleet was hotly contested, with Dylan O'Sullivan (RCYC) taking first place, leveraging his recent experience at the Optimist Europeans in Turkey. Oscar Rowan (WHSC) and George Creighton (RCYC/MBSC) remained close on points to take second and third. Oliver Gunderson (SLYC) was fourth, closely followed by Jess Walsh (RSGYC) in fifth.
- Dylan O'Sullivan – Royal Cork Yacht Club
- Oscar Rowan – Waterford Harbour Sailing Club
- George Creighton – Royal Cork Yacht Club / Monkstown Bay Sailing Club
- Oliver Gundersen – Strangford Lough Yacht Club
- Jess Walsh – Royal St. George Yacht Club
Regatta Racing Fleet:
The 47-strong Regatta Racing fleet undertook six races, and Nicholas Nyhan (RCYC) took first place, followed by Sian Barry (SDC). Freddy Hofler of NYC came in third with the local knowledge of Luke O'Brien and Robert Tottenham (both LDYC) paying off to see them finish in fourth and fifth).
- Nicholas Nyhan – Royal Cork Yacht Club
- Siun Barry – Sutton Dinghy Club
- Freddy Hofler – National Yacht Club
- Luke O'Brien – Lough Derg Yacht Club
- Robert Tottenham – LDYC / RSGYC
Coached Regatta Fleet:
28 sailors entered the Coached Regatta fleet. For many, it was their first regatta, and Coach Jenna Reid was impressed by the sailors' improvement over the seven-race series. The top five were as follows:
- Hugh Williams – Strangford Lough Yacht Club
- Jamie Scallan – Monkstown Bay Sailing Club
- Rossa Smith – Galway Bay Sailing Club
- Eva Ryan – Monkstown Bay Sailing Club
- Mary Kenneally – Monkstown Bay Sailing Club
Irish Development Squad
The Irish Development Squad arrived home on Saturday evening from the French Optimist Nationals in Brest. Some squad members were a welcome presence at LDYC on Sunday, assisting with launching and rescue while supporting younger sailors. The 2025 Irish Development Team included Felix Crinion (RSGYC), Ollie Ryan (RSGYC / MYC), Ethan Murphy (RCYC), Aoife McElligott (RCYC), Ruairí Slattery (RSGYC / LDYC), Ava Molloy (RSGYC) and Philippa Arthurs (RSGYC / LDYC)—huge thanks to Coach Adam Walsh and Team Leader Jean O'Neill for all their support of the squad.
Looking Ahead to Weymouth
Several sailors in attendance were part of the Under-12 Squad, gaining valuable race practice ahead of the British Nationals in Weymouth, which takes place from this weekend. The U12 team is made up of Oscar Rowan (WHSC), George Creighton (RCYC/MBSC), Jess Walsh (RSGYC), Zoe O'Hare (RSGYC), Arthur Fegan (RSGYC/MYC), Stephanie Rock (RSGYC), Louis Trickett (RSGYC) and Max Mullane (LRYC). They are being coached by Jenna Reid and Team Leader Fiachra Rowan. Wishing them all the best in Weymouth.
Next Up: Irish Optimist Nationals at LRYC
Next up on the sailing calendar is the IODAI Optimist National Championships, taking place at Lough Ree Yacht Club from 14th to 17th August. The Optimist Team Racing Nationals will also take place on Wednesday, 13th. Entries for both events are now open
