Howth Yacht Club welcomed Ireland's best young Optimist sailors last weekend for the RBC Brewin Dolphin 2026 IODAI Leinster Championships, hosting a superb weekend of competitive racing.
With a fleet of approximately 156 sailors representing clubs from across Ireland, the championships once again demonstrated the strength and depth of Irish Optimist sailing. Thanks to outstanding organisation by Howth Yacht Club, supported by an experienced race management team and a dedicated team of volunteers, competitors and their families enjoyed a first-class championship from start to finish.
Fleet in Focus – More than 150 Optimist sailors from clubs across Ireland race off Howth during the 2026 RBC Brewin Dolphin IODAI Leinster Championships in testing but rewarding conditions
Saturday began under blue skies and calm conditions before a strong northerly breeze quickly filled in, with gusts reaching 26 knots. Combined with a powerful ebb tide, the breeze created a steep and challenging sea state off Howth that tested even the most experienced sailors. Following one race for the Main Fleet, the Race Committee made the prudent decision to bring competitors ashore as conditions continued to build. The Regatta Racing fleet returned to harbour without completing a race, while the Regatta Coached fleet remained ashore for the day.
Sunday brought a welcome change, with medium to light winds providing ideal championship racing conditions. Although the breeze eased during the final race, race officials successfully completed three races for the Main Fleet and Regatta Racing fleet, while the Regatta Coached fleet completed its full four-race championship, ensuring every competitor enjoyed a meaningful series despite Saturday's challenging conditions.
Dylan O'Sullivan Wins Senior Main Fleet Leinster Title
Championship Honours – Senior Main Fleet winner Dylan O'Sullivan (Royal Cork Yacht Club) receives the RBC Brewin Dolphin Leinster Championships trophy from Howth Yacht Club Commodore Kevin Monks after claiming the 2026 IODAI Leinster title on countback.
The Senior Main Fleet showcased some of Ireland's strongest Optimist sailors and produced a closely fought championship.
Dylan O'Sullivan (RCYC) claimed the Leinster title after an excellent series that included two race wins and a second-place finish. Discarding a fourth-place result, O'Sullivan finished level on five net points with Emily Donagh (RSGYC / LDYC), securing the championship on countback thanks to his two race victories.
Emily Donagh enjoyed an equally impressive championship, recording a race win and two second-place finishes to finish runner-up overall.
Third place went to Maeve Donagh (RSGYC / LDYC) after a consistent series that included victory in Race 3, while George Creighton (RCYC / BSC / MBSC) finished fourth following a string of top-five results. Ruairi Slattery (LDYC / RSGYC) completed the top five after another consistent championship.
Senior Main Fleet – Top Five
- Dylan O'Sullivan (RCYC)
- Emily Donagh (RSGYC / LDYC)
- Maeve Donagh (RSGYC / LDYC)
- George Creighton (RCYC / BSC / MBSC)
- Ruairi Slattery (LDYC / RSGYC)
Seamus Hurley Claims Junior Main Fleet Crown
Junior Champion – Seamus Hurley (Royal Cork Yacht Club) receives the RBC Brewin Dolphin Junior Main Fleet trophy from Howth Yacht Club Commodore Kevin Monks after securing the Leinster title with victory in the final race.
The Junior Main Fleet produced some of the closest racing of the weekend, with the championship only decided after the final race.
Seamus Hurley (RCYC) secured the Junior Leinster title after discarding an opening seventh place before finishing with scores of fifth, second and first. He finished level on eight net points with William Foster (WSC), claiming victory on countback following his win in the final race.
Local sailor, Rory Barron (HYC / SDC) sailed consistently to finish third overall, while Andrew Arthurs (RSGYC / LDYC) secured fourth after a solid series of top-five finishes. James Weir (WHSC) rounded out the top five with an excellent final race.
Junior Main Fleet – Top Five
- Seamus Hurley (RCYC)
- William Foster (WSC)
- Rory Barron (HYC / SDC)
- Andrew Arthurs (RSGYC / LDYC)
- James Weir (WHSC)
Hugh Williams Dominates Regatta Racing Fleet
Regatta Success – Hugh Williams (Sutton Dinghy Club) receives the RBC Brewin Dolphin Regatta Racing Fleet trophy from Howth Yacht Club Commodore Kevin Monks after an outstanding championship featuring three consecutive race wins.
The Regatta Racing fleet produced another impressive display of young talent, with Hugh Williams (SLYC) delivering an outstanding performance to take the Leinster title. After discarding his opening race victory, Williams counted three consecutive race wins to finish on just three net points.
The battle for the remaining podium places was much tighter. Hannah Butler (HYC / AYE Rye) sailed a consistently strong championship to finish second on eight net points, just ahead of Martha Nolan (RNIYC), who claimed third after three top-three finishes.
Home sailors featured prominently, with Heidi Murray (SDC / HYC) finishing fourth and Nina Monagnan (HYC) completing the top five after a consistent weekend on home waters.
Regatta Racing – Top Five
- Hugh Williams (SLYC)
- Hannah Butler (HYC / American Yacht Club, Rye)
- Martha Nolan (RNIYC)
- Heidi Murray (SDC / HYC)
- Nina Monagnan (HYC)
Harry George Tops All-Howth Regatta Coached Podium
Home Glory – Howth Yacht Club's Harry George receives the RBC Brewin Dolphin Regatta Coached Fleet trophy from Howth Yacht Club Commodore Kevin Monks after dominating the championship on home waters.
The Regatta Coached fleet may have remained ashore on Saturday due to the challenging conditions, but Sunday provided the perfect opportunity for the fleet's youngest sailors to complete an excellent four-race championship under the guidance of the IODAI coaching team.
Home club sailor Harry George (HYC) proved dominant, winning all three counting races to finish on just three net points and claim the Regatta Coached title.
Another Howth sailor, Abigail Davies (HYC), sailed consistently to finish second overall, while Christopher Evans (HYC) completed an all-Howth podium in third. William Regan (HYC) added further success for the host club with fourth place, while Alexander Crosbie (RCYC / MBSC) rounded out the top five after a strong championship.
Regatta Coached Fleet – Top Five
- Harry George (HYC)
- Abigail Davies (HYC)
- Christopher Evans (HYC)
- William Regan (HYC)
- Alexander Crosbie (RCYC / MBSC)
As the prizes were presented on Sunday afternoon, the championships marked another successful milestone in the IODAI calendar. The professionalism of the race officials, the commitment of the volunteer teams afloat and ashore, and the warm welcome extended by Howth Yacht Club ensured competitors and families enjoyed an outstanding weekend of racing.
Behind the Scenes – Volunteers and race officials who delivered the successful 2026 RBC Brewin Dolphin IODAI Leinster Championships are recognised by Howth Yacht Club Commodore Kevin Monks at the prize-giving ceremony.
The event once again highlighted the strength of Irish Optimist sailing, from experienced Main Fleet sailors to those taking their first steps in championship competition. Attention now turns to the season's flagship event, the IODAI National Championships, which will be hosted by the Royal Cork Yacht Club from 12–16 August. With the Leinster Championships providing a valuable benchmark, sailors will now look to carry their form into what promises to be another highly competitive national championship.
