Craig Claims Victory in Final Water Wag Race of the Season

17th September 2025

Afloat.ie Team

On Wednesday, September 17th, the AIB DBSC Water Wag race attracted 26 boats for the season's final event Credit: Brendan Briscoe

The AIB DBSC Water Wag race on Wednesday, September 17th, saw 26 boats turning out for the last race of the season.

Race Officer Tadgh Donnelly aboard DBSC committee boat Freebird set a three-round windward/leeward course in a 12-knot westerly breeze.

Following last week’s cancellation due to strong winds, this race counted for both Walpole Prizes, carried over from last week, and for the Candlelight Trophy.

The Walpole prizes can only be won by those boats which have competed in six DBSC races when steered by the regular helmsman and have not finished in first place in any of those races.

The Walpole prizes were donated by linen merchant Horace Walpole, creator and owner of the famous Mt Usher Gardens in Ashford.

The DBSC Water Wag Committee Boat displays a farewell message for the last race of the 2025 season. Photo: Gail Varian

All competitors’ scores from this final race will count towards the overall season’s point tally for each division. The overall winner will be awarded the Jubilee Cup (for all divisions), the Snuff Box will be awarded to the winner of division 1B, and the Cora Cup will be awarded to the winner of division 2. These prizes, as well as the Walpole prizes, will be awarded at the annual prize-giving dinner.

Cathy MacAleavey sailing Mariposa led at the first weather mark from Seán Craig sailing Puffin and Guy Kilroy sailing Swift.

MacAleavey led at the second weather mark rounding, with Kilroy in second place, and Craig 3rd.

Craig managed to pass both MacAleavey and Kilroy on the final round to win the race. MacAleavey finished second, with Kilroy 3rd.

After racing, the Wag crews retired to the National Yacht Club for aprés sail refreshments.

Top 3 results:

No. 52, Puffin, Seán & Heather Craig
No. 45, Mariposa, Cathy MacAleavey & Con Murphy
No. 38, Swift, Guy Kilroy & Jo Peare

2025 National Champion

John O’Driscoll sailing Moosmie won the Water Wag National Championships, and as a result, he is the Water Wag nominee for the All-Ireland Championships. The Wag National Championship result was determined by the positions up to the Captain’s Prize race, which was held on September 3rd.

Published in Water Wag

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