Storm Amy Cuts Short National YC Junior September Sailing Series

9th October 2025

Thomas Chaix

The National YC Junior September Sailing Series RS Feva Podium overall Credit: Aoife Hoffler

Storm Amy created havoc around the country, putting pressure on all events, and the National Yacht Club's Junior September series was not immune to the strong winds, cutting the series short. It was overall a challenging series, and only one weekend out of 4 produced some good racing, which meant no discards could be allowed, rewarding consistency.

Well over 60 young sailors battled in the various classes, and three of the four harbour clubs picked up silverware, showing how competitive the Dun Laoghaire Junior fleets are.

The largest group was the Optimist class with strong representation from the Royal St George YC. National team member Holly Cantwell from the Royal St George YC took the win despite a shaky first race. She was followed by fast-progressing team mates Kai Lawton and Jess Walsh... The less experienced sailors (categorised as "harbour fleet" during the summer) were competing against their more experienced counterparts, allowing for some significant learning. 16th overall out of the 39 entries, National YC Freddy Hoffler won the category ahead of Elena Foley (RstGYC) and Lauren Hoban (RstGYC).

The National YC Junior September Sailing Series Optimist Podium overall Photo: Aoife Hoffler

The RS Feva class showed 10 entries, and the title was decided on countback. Royal Irish YC pair Holly Hooper and Juliette Moir edged out National YC Dylan Hall and Michael Hanley. The last race was a very close battle between the two partnerships, but the girls managed to edge the boys at the final leeward to win the race and the event. The podium was completed by Harvey Kelly and Rowan Keane (RIYC)

There were also 10 ILCA4 entries. The RstGYC sailors were on top with Patrick Fegan edging Kate Spain. Both sailors recently progressed from the Optimist class and are adjusting fast to the larger and more powerful boat. Ex-Topper sailor Jackson Clarke completed the podium.

The Topper class podium was pretty clear with Henry Cresswell (RstGYC) edging out Mina Mc Allistair (RstGYC) and Billy Bills Everett ( NYC)

The ILCA 6 and PY fleets had a few entries, but unfortunately, they were absent from the day's racing, so no scores were allocated.

The National YC organised a lovely prize-giving ceremony with platters of finger food and a podium presentation. Junior Committee members Aoife Hoffler and Nicola Ferguson delivered, including the club's Nippers, who received their certificates, as well as the opportunity to see the next stage of their sailing progress.

Published in National YC, Youth Sailing

Published in National YC

Tagged under

National YC

About The Author

Thomas Chaix

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Thomas Chaix is Head Coach at the National Yacht Club in Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin. He currently sails the 49er dinghy (for fun) but raced the Laser for 25 years and has been a member of French and Irish teams

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National Yacht Club Facilities

Facilities include a slipway directly accessing Dun Laoghaire Harbour, over eighty club moorings, platform parking, pontoons, fuelling, watering and crane-lifting ensure that the NYC is excellently equipped to cater for all the needs of the contemporary sailor. Berths with diesel, water, power and overnight facilities are available to cruising yachtsmen with shopping facilities being a short walk away. The club is active throughout the year with full dining and bar facilities and winter activities include bridge, snooker, quiz nights, wine tasting and special events.

National Yacht Club History

Although there are references to an active “club” prior to 1870, history records that the present clubhouse was erected in 1870 at a cost of £4,000 to a design by William Sterling and the Kingstown Royal Harbour Boat Club was registered with Lloyds in the same year. By 1872 the name had been changed to the Kingston Harbour Boat Club and this change was registered at Lloyds.

In 1881. the premises were purchased by a Captain Peacocke and others who formed a proprietary club called the Kingstown Harbour Yacht Club again registered at Lloyds. Some six years later in 1877 the building again changed hands being bought by a Mr Charles Barrington. and between 1877 and 1901 the club was very active and operated for a while as the “Absolute Club” although this change of name was never registered.

In 1901, the lease was purchased by three trustees who registered it as the Edward Yacht Club. In 1930 at a time when the Edward Yacht Club was relatively inactive, a committee including The Earl of Granard approached the trustees with a proposition to form the National Yacht Club. The Earl of Granard had been Commodore of the North Shannon Y.C. and was a senator in the W.T.Cosgrave government. An agreement was reached, the National Yacht Club was registered at Lloyds. The club burgee was created, red cross of Saint George with blue and white quarters being sky cloud, sea and surf. The Earl of Granard became the first Commodore.

In July of 1950, a warrant was issued to the National Yacht Club by the Government under the Merchant Shipping Act authorising members to hoist a club ensign in lieu of the National Flag. The new ensign to include a representation of the harp. This privilege is unique and specific to members of the National Yacht Club. Sterling’s design for the exterior of the club was a hybrid French Chateau and eighteenth century Garden Pavilion and today as a Class A restricted building it continues to provide elegant dining and bar facilities.

An early drawing of the building shows viewing balconies on the roof and the waterfront façade. Subsequent additions of platforms and a new slip to the seaward side and most recently the construction of new changing rooms, offices and boathouse provide state of the art facilities, capable of coping with major international and world championship events. The club provides a wide range of sailing facilities, from Junior training to family cruising, dinghy sailing to offshore racing and caters for most major classes of dinghies, one design keelboats, sports boats and cruiser racers. It provides training facilities within the ISA Youth Sailing Scheme and National Power Boat Schemes.

Past Commodores

1931 – 42 Earl of Granard 1942 – 45 T.J. Hamilton 1945 – 47 P.M. Purcell 1947 – 50 J.J. O’Leary 1950 – 55 A.A. Murphy 1955 – 60 J.J. O’Leary 1960 – 64 F. Lemass 1964 – 69 J.C. McConnell 1969 – 72 P.J. Johnston 1972 – 74 L. Boyd 1974 – 76 F.C. Winkelmann 1976 – 79 P.A. Browne 1979 – 83 W.A. Maguire 1983 – 87 F.J. Cooney 1987 – 88 J.J. Byrne 1988 – 91 M.F. Muldoon 1991 – 94 B.D. Barry 1994 – 97 M.P.B. Horgan 1997 – 00 B. MacNeaney 2000 – 02 I.E. Kiernan 2002 – 05 C.N.I. Moore 2005 – 08 C.J. Murphy 2008 – 11 P.D. Ryan 2011 – P. Barrington 2011-2014 Larry Power 2014-2017 Ronan Beirne 2017 – 2019