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Helstern Elected Commodore at Kinsale Yacht Club

10th December 2021
Newly elected Kinsale Yacht Club Commodore Matthias Hellstern (left) with outgoing Commodore Mike Walsh
Newly elected Kinsale Yacht Club Commodore Matthias Hellstern (left) with outgoing Commodore Mike Walsh Credit: Bob Bateman

Kinsale Yacht Club has elected Matthias Helstern as its new Commodore at last night's online AGM.

The former Mirror dinghy ace and Dragon keelboat sailor takes over at a busy time for the West Cork club from outgoing Commodore Mike Walsh.

Tony Scannell was elected as the new vice commodore.

Helstern, whose late father Hans also led the club, takes the tiller as Kinsale prepares for its 2024 staging of the prestigious International Dragon Gold Cup.

The club held a very successful edition of its Sovereign's Cup in June this year, a pillar event for Irish sailing in a COVID-hit season.

In 2022, KYC will stage the Squib UK and Irish combined national championships, the first-ever class staging of the dual championships.

Newly elected Kinsale Yacht Club Commodore Matthias Helstern sailed to success in 2021 with clubmates Cameron Good and Henry Kingston at the Dragon East Coast Championships on Dublin Bay.Newly elected Kinsale Yacht Club Commodore Matthias Helstern sailed to success in 2021 with clubmates Cameron Good and Henry Kingston at the Dragon East Coast Championships on Dublin Bay.

Published in Kinsale
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Kinsale Yacht Club located in Kinsale, County Cork lies just 120 nautical miles from Wales, 240 from North West France and only 500 from the Galician Coast of North Spain.

Kinsale Yacht Club is only a few minutes walk from every shop, hotel, pub and restaurant in Ireland’s gourmet capital but most significantly it is only 30 km by road from Cork, Ireland’s second city, and between the two lies one the region’s main assets - Cork International Airport - with its daily links to many European capitals.

Club members, of which there are more than 600, race Cruisers, One Design Keelboats and Dinghies.

The club runs inshore and offshore races, has an active cruising scene, a powerboat section and most significantly for any real club, a strong and dynamic junior training programme.

Beyond the club’s own marina is the club house itself and the dinghy park. Within the clubhouse are changing rooms, bar and restaurant all with full wheelchair access. The club’s full-time secretariat, steward and marina manager are there to look after sailing visitors and members alike in a relaxed, informal and fun environment.

The club welcomes new members and has always got room on its members’ yachts for new comers to the sport.