Robert Tottenham of Lough Derg Yacht Club and the Royal St George Yacht Club claimed a double victory at the conclusion of Irish Optimist National Training Week 2026, winning both the Halloween Regatta overall title and the Crosbie Cup.
More than 110 young sailors from clubs across Ireland gathered at Lough Ree Yacht Club from 28–31 October for four days of coaching, racing and Halloween activities. As Afloat previously reported, the event was among the biggest National Training Weeks organised by the Irish Optimist Dinghy Association (IODAI) in recent years.
The coaching line-up included Greek Optimist coach Antonis Drosopoulos, Irish coach Peter McCann and an experienced team of Irish coaches. Sailors benefited from on-the-water coaching and shore-based sessions tailored to different fleets and abilities.
Team Spirit: Young Optimist sailors enjoy a break ashore at Lough Ree Yacht Club during National Training Week, where developing friendships was as important as improving sailing skills. Photo: IODAI
Halloween Regatta and Crosbie Cup
The week concluded on Saturday, 31st October, with the Halloween Regatta and Crosbie Cup. Tottenham won three races to secure the Junior Fleet title and took overall honours in both competitions.
In the Senior Fleet, Jess Walsh of the Royal St George Yacht Club won three of the four races to take first place. John Keating of Royal Cork Yacht Club finished second, followed by Lilly Sheridan of Royal Cork Yacht Club and Waterford Harbour Sailing Club in third. Brendan Hughes of Royal Cork Yacht Club was fourth and Kai Lawton of the Royal St George Yacht Club fifth.
Racing Together: Optimist sailors take to Lough Ree during IODAI National Training Week 2026, which attracted more than 110 young sailors for four days of coaching and competition. Photo: IODAI
Senior Fleet — Top Five
- Jess Walsh – RSGYC
- John Keating – RCYC
- Lilly Sheridan – RCYC/WHSC
- Brendan Hughes – RCYC
- Kai Lawton – RSGYC
In the Junior Fleet, James Weir of Waterford Harbour Sailing Club was runner-up to Tottenham, with Dan Murnane of Lough Derg Yacht Club and Royal St George Yacht Club third.
Junior Fleet — Top Five
- Robert Tottenham – LDYC/RSGYC
- James Weir – WHSC
- Dan Murnane – LDYC/RSGYC
- Andrew Arthurs – RSGYC/LDYC
- Kate Walsh – RSGYC
Christopher Evans of Howth Yacht Club won the Regatta Racing Fleet, ahead of Elliott Kearney of Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club and Samuel McIntyre of Royal St George Yacht Club.
Regatta Racing Fleet — Top Five
- Christopher Evans – HYC
- Elliott Kearney – RNIYC
- Samuel McIntyre – RSGYC
- Isaac Farnan – RCYC
- Harry Weir – WHSC
A further 21 sailors registered in the Regatta Coached Fleet, developing their skills and confidence throughout the week.
Halloween Celebrations
Away from racing, the Halloween Hooley on Friday, 30th October, brought sailors together for costumes and celebrations, with the social programme giving young participants opportunities to build friendships across clubs.
Friendship Fleet: Young sailors enjoy the camaraderie of IODAI National Training Week, which combined expert coaching, competitive racing and Halloween festivities at Lough Ree Yacht Club. Photo: IODAI
The week continued a popular end-of-season tradition. As Afloat reported in 2025, 120 sailors attended the previous National Training Week at Lough Derg Yacht Club, where Maeve Donagh won the Halloween Regatta.
IODAI thanked Lough Ree Yacht Club, the coaches, race officials, organisers, volunteers and parents for their work and support.
