Irish youth sailing sensation Finn Lynch has won the Laser 4.7 prize sailing in Lake Garda in Italy this month, the win was recorded at his first international event since moving to the Laser class. Lynch from the National Yacht Club came tenth overall in a fleet of 230 competitive boats. Lynch, from Blessington, is reigning UK and Irish Topper Champion. He also finished second in the Topper worlds championships last season before moving to the Laser class.

Lynch's Dun Laoghaire club mate Tadgh Donnelly followed closely as seventh U16 sailor and 54th overall. In the Radials Rory Lynch and Philip Doran both finished in the top third of a fleet of 220 boats with some very good races during the event.

Podcast on youth sailing with Olympic team manager James O'Callaghan.

Irish F1analyst Eddie Jordan might be better known for exploits on tarmac than the high seas but it did not stop the 63-year old Dubliner sailing a smart race to win in the south-eastern Caribbean Sea today in day one of the Oyster Regatta writes Louay Habib. But the F1 man's powerful Oyster 655, Lush was pushed all the way by Chris Shea's Oyster 72, Magrathea.

Eddie Jordan at the helm of the Oyster 655, Lush. Photo: Ingrid Abery

Grenada's lush, green paradise relies on rain and on the morning of Lewmar Race Day, the Oyster Fleet certainly got that. But despite the torrential downpour, the mood in Port Louis was up beat and all of the fleet left the dock, to perform a parade of sail, before heading out to the race area.

As if by magic, shortly after the start an easterly wind blew away the rain clouds. Providing dry, if somewhat tricky conditions. During the course of the day, there were numerous wind shifts, predicting these changes was the secret to success. A light airs start was followed by a building breeze, which piped up to fifteen knots by the end of the race.

Starts are always important but especially in fickle breeze and the Polish Oyster 46, SunsuSea, judged the line to perfection, to get away well. Owned by Mariusz and Paulina Kierebinscy, SunsuSea came to the Caribbean in the 2009 ARC.

"We have been really delighted with the boat." Smiled Mariusz. "My family love to sail, especially in the Caribbean. This is our second Oyster Regatta and although we have little experience with racing, it is a great way to learn how to improve our sailing technique."

Besides Mariusz and Paulina, SunsuSea is crewed by their family and friends. Daughter Claudia and son Martin are fast learners in the cockpit. Whilst friends, Artur and Margaret trim the mainsail, helped by their daughter Adriana, who is just 11 years of age.

"We really like Grenada." Continued Mariusz. 'It is such a friendly place and safe for our children. After the regatta, we will be cruising through The Grenadines to St. Lucia, our last adventure before the boat returns across the Atlantic."

In Class One, Lush, with F1 racing analyst, Eddie Jordan on board, sailed a smart race to win, but the powerful Oyster 655 was pushed all the way by Chris Shea's Oyster 72, Magrathea, who sailed a near perfect beat by using the lifting breeze, along Grande Anse Beach. Jonathon and Jane Mould's Oyster 72, Koluka claimed a well-deserved third in class.
Alan Brook, taking part in his first Oyster regatta as a competitor with his wife Sue in their Oyster 56, Sulana, won the first race in Class Two, the meticulously prepared yacht was extremely well positioned on the racecourse to win by a fair margin. Scott Bickford's American Oyster 53, Contingency was second and Ian Galbraith and crew, racing his Oyster 53, Jigsaw, kept their concentration to take third.
After the fleet had returned to the safe confines of Port Louis Marina, a cocktail party, hosted by the Marine and Yachting Association of Grenada, was full of talk about the day's events.
Later that evening, the Oyster family was treated to a lavish party at the exclusive LaLuna Estate. Tucked away south of the capital, LaLuna is the hidden gem of Morne Rouge Bay, which offers one of the finest beaches on the island, just minutes from St George's. The estate is often frequented by stars of the stage and film and provided a truly magical occasion for the second Oyster party of the regatta.
The ultra-chic secluded venue has a rustic charm extenuated by the use of traditional Caribbean materials to provide a design-fusion, which is unmistakably Asian in appearance. The wooden beachfront courtyard blends cane, cotton, and thatch and inviting day beds are scattered throughout the resort with sublime views of the perfect beach.
The Oyster family enjoyed a mouth watering four-course dinner with fine wine in a wonderful atmosphere. Afterwards, a company of dancers electrified the atmosphere and very soon the party was a very lively affair. It may have been a day of mixed fortunes on the water but the Oyster crew-conga, snaking through the LaLuna's courtyard, was testament to a very successful first day's racing at the Oyster Regatta in Grenada.
Racing resumes on Wednesday 13th April with a coastal race sponsored by Pelagos Yachts, finishing at Le Phare Bleu Marina, on the south coast of Grenada, where the fleet will overnight.

In a break away from traditional 'hut' starts on the West Pier this season Dublin Bay Sailing Club's Thursday night sailing will feature two committee boats on duty. The new procedures are detailed in the 2011 Dublin Bay Sailing Club Annual published this week.

The DBSC summer season starts in two weeks time. The first Tuesday race is April 26th. The first Thursday race is on April 28th and the first Saturday race is April 30th. 

Thursday night racing brings some of the biggest turnouts of the season, some evening boasting up to 200 boats for the mid-week round the cans racing.

The club's own MacLir committee boat will be servicing the Blue Fleet in the northern section of the racing area of Dublin Bay. The Royal Irish Yacht Club's Spirit of the Irish vessel will service the Red Fleet in the south-east section.

Unless weather conditions dictate otherwise, there will be no racing at the Hut but the format of Tuesday and Saturday racing will remain unchanged from previous years.

Writing in the 2011 yearbook, DBSC commodore Tony Fox refers to the course layouts:

"Inevitably, the changes have required re-drafting of courses and some re-location of marks. Omega has moved from its original position not far from the West Pier to serve as a hub for the Red Fleet marks which, with the addition of a new Bay Mark, form a natural circle. Similarly, Middle mark becomes the hub of the Blue Fleet circle. Some shifting of mark positions has ensued ‚ the only radical change is that of Poldy, which was situated too close to the shipping lane for comfort; it will now be stationed roughly between East and Island Marks. Martello Mark is now redundant."

Dublin Bay Sailing Club's annual Cruiser Challenge for Cruisers 0, 1, 2, Sigma 33 and 31.7’s will be held from 26th-28th August 2011. This year the sailing weekend event is hosted by Dun Laoghaire's National Yacht Club. The notice of race for the event is below:

1. Organising Authority and Rules

The organising authority is Dublin Bay Sailing Club. The event is governed by the Racing Rules of Sailing and any amendments thereto, IRC, the ECHO handicapping system rules, Sigma 33 class rules, the 31.7 Class Rules, this Notice of Race and the sailing instructions. In the event of a conflict the sailing instructions shall prevail.

2. Schedule of Races

Warning Signals

Race 1 26^th August 16:55 hrs. Fixed mark course.

Race 2 27^th August 10:45 hrs. Windward/Leeward or Trapezoid type course.

Race 3 ASAP after Race 2 Windward/Leeward or Trapezoid type course

Race 4 28^th August 10:45 hrs Windward/Leeward or Trapezoid type course

Race 5 ASAP after Race 4 Fixed mark course

Note: Any of the above courses may be substituted for each other or a course as announced on VHF Channel 74.

3. Racing Area

The racing area will be the waters of Dublin Bay and Killiney Bay - Admiralty Chart 1468.

4. Eligibility

Eligible boats are those the classes which comply with the relevant handicapping system, the one design Sigma 33 rules, the 31.7 class rules and the entry requirements.

5. Classes and Handicap Systems

5.1 Boats will race under IRC, ECHO Handicap System, Sigma 33s and 31.7 classes  will race one design and under ECHO.

5.2      Cruisers will be divided on the basis of their current ISA Standard ECHO Reference Handicap/ IRC

ECHO Handicap as follows:

Cruisers 0 - Boats at 1.045 to 1.250

Cruisers 1- Boats at 0.980 to 1.044

Cruisers 2- Boats from 0.920 to 0.979

5.3 Boats shall comply with all stipulations and/or conditions relevant to the valid current certificate. (Subject to the right of the organizing authority to allocate a boat to any class.

6. Team Event

A trophy will be presented to the entered team comprised of one boat from each cruiser class, the Sigma33 class and 31.7 class which aggregates the lowest number of points over the series of races under IRC, one design for the Sigma class and 31.7class. Teams should be nominated in writing to the Race Office before commencement of racing. Note: RRS Appendix D (Team Racing Rules) shall not apply.

7. Certificates

ECHO handicaps will be advised to DBSC by the relevant rating authority. A copy of the relevant IRC certificate must accompany the entry form. However, it is the entrant's responsibility to ensure that DBSC have the correct handicap available and therefore late changes should be advised to the Hon. Secretary by the boats concerned.

8. Responsibility

8.1 The safety of a boat and her crew is the sole and inescapable responsibility of the owner(s) or the owner’s representative whose obligation it is to ensure that the boat is fully sound, seaworthy, manned by an experienced crew and equipped with all the necessary safety gear. Neither this Notice of Race or the Sailing Instructions nor any action of the organizing authority in any way limits or reduces the complete and unlimited responsibility of the owner(s) or owner’s representative.

8.2    Attention is drawn to RRS Fundamental Rule 3 “Acceptance of Rules” and Rule 4 “Decision to race”.

8.3    Boat owners and competing crews shall ensure that they are adequately insured against loss, damage or injury to persons, boats or equipment at all times and however occurring and shall maintain third party insurance cover of not less than one million five thousand EURO (€1,500,000), and shall produce a valid certificate of insurance upon request.

8.4    No responsibility shall be accepted by the organizing authority, its members, servants or agents, nor those officials or members connected with the event for any loss, damage, injury or other claim of whatever nature howsoever arising or caused in connection with participation in, or intended participation in this event.

9. Entries

The entry fee for each boat is  €80.00 Entries shall be made by completing the details on the boat entry form  (overleaf) and forwarding it to the Hon. Secretary, D.P.O'Sullivan, 72, Clonkeen Drive, Foxrock, Dublin 18.  (The form may also be downloaded from the DBSC website). An entry is required from all boats intending to compete, including those already racing in a current DBSC series. The latest date for entries is Monday 22^nd rd August. Late entries may be accepted at the discretion of the Committee and on payment of late entry fee of €25.00

Helmsmen and their crews competing in the event will be temporary members of DBSC and  the National Yacht Club for the days of the event. Owners, Helmsmen and their crews will be bound by the rules of the Clubs. The Clubs reserve the right to withdraw such temporary membership. All entries are accepted at the sole discretion of the Committee.

10. Sailing Instructions (May be available www.dbsc.org during August 2011) 

Sailing Instructions may be posted to each entrant, left in entrant’s yacht club or collected from the Race Office before racing. Please indicate on the entry form whether Sailing Instructions are to be posted or to be collected. The Race Office and official notice board will be situated in the National Yacht Club.

11. Berthing

Boats requiring berths on the Marina must register with the Marina Administration Office on Ch. 37A prior to being advised which berth they will be allocated. Overnight berthing is available at normal rates. Berths will be allocated on first come basis. Marina Tel. (01) 2020040./ Fax  (01)2020043.

A limited number of berths may be made available at the National Yacht Club. Please contact the boathouse prior to arrival.

Fourteen year old Dun Laoghaire sailor Sean Donnelly was in top form sailing off Kinsale yesterday (SCROLL down for Photos by Bob Bateman) to win four of eight races in the first leg of the 2011 Optimist dinghy sailing trials. All races were completed to schedule. Top ten results below from IODAI.

Glorious sailing conditions prevailed for the second day of the Kinsale Cruiser Spring Series yesterday writes Claire Bateman. Scroll down for Bob Bateman's sailing photos of yesterday's cruiser action. The only sailing factor missing was the wind! However but after a wait of two and a half hours, the breeze filled in from the south- west giving some 15 knots and enabling racing to commence. Classes 0, 1 and 2 sailed the round the cans course, Classes 3 and 4 were on the windward leeward course and the White Sail Fleet sailed in the harbour. To add to the spectacle the Optimist dinghies in large numbers were sailing further east in trials for international competition. 

Unfortunately an 18th and 9th scored in yesterday's sailing has dropped Annalise Murphy of the National Yacht Club to 11th overall, just one point off qualifying for the medal race.  It means none of the Irish campaigners in Palma will take part in today's finals. However Murphy's result of 11th overall against a 78-boat fleet remains a powerful performance for the Dun Laoghaire Olympic campaigner. She scored six results in the top ten in predominantly light conditions. The 49er crew of Ryan Seaton and Matthew McGovern who qualified for gold fleet racing ended the regatta 17th. Podcast on Annalise Murphy's Olympic progress.

Annalise Murphy sailing in the last rounds of the Princesa Sofia Trophy Photo: Jesús Renedo

 Two final races completed on Friday in the 2011 Trofeo Princesa Sofia have decided the top ten sailors in each Olympic class who will compete in the medal race Saturday. With the same conditions encountered since Tuesday, there was not many surprises as the top three in most classes remain unchanged.

For Iain Percy and Andrew Simpson, the Medal race will be a formality! The Gold medallists have sailed to consistent results in a talented fleet and have acquired such a lead that they are assured of Gold in the event. However, the fight will remain for the five following teams all eligible for a podium tomorrow. Diego Negri and Torben Grael 's team have remained in second and third.

It wasn't a dream day for Marazzi and de Maria (SUI) who took a penalty on the start of the day's first race and broke their mast in the second.

"We've had a good week" says Percy, "and things have gone well but it was kind of one of those times where things worked out and some of our rivals didn't have good weeks. The result shows us to be a little bit further ahead than maybe we are, but still we're really happy. It's nice to win an event after such a long time away."

The top three remain the same in the RS:X classes with Marina Alabau (ESP) starting in the medal race with a good lead over her opponents. She has already secured her a Gold or Silver. Charline Picon (FRA) is also insured to finish on the podium opened to the top five.

"I don't usually perform in the conditions we had these last few days but I feel really well this week. Tomorrow will be a three way battle between Marina, Laura and me. I have a chance for Gold if Marina makes a mistake but my main objective will be to secure the Silver."

Laura Linares (ITA) and Alessandra Sensini who are competing in Palma in their first Olympic selection event are two places apart.

"My objective is to do as best as I can and will give my best tomorrow. I will not look out for Alessandra and will concentrate to gain places on the podium." explains Linares (ITA).

In the RS:X women and men divisions, the podium is opened to the top five. Dorian van Rijsselberge (NED) is conserving the lead and can not stepped down from the podium. Byron Kokalanis's good races today (1-3) have sent him to 5th overall and within reach of a medal.

For Dyen/Christidis (FRA) and the Sibello (ITA) brothers, the medal race will be deciding who takes Gold and Silver. It will be an interesting race within the Medal race! Allan Norregaard and Peter Lang (DEN) are the favourite for Bronze with a seven points lead over their closest rival. However, the Bronze will also be the direct objective for sailors placed up to eighth overall!

The Finn battle for Gold will follow the same scenario as the 49ers with only Ben Ainslie and Giles Scott (GBR) standing a chance for Gold. The two British are continuing to race to top places with Ben Ainslie wining the first Sailing World Cup event Sail Melbourne, and Giles Scott, the second in Miami. With top two places secured in Palma they are sure to increase their lead in the SWC standings.

"We'll see how I get on tomorrow. The medal races are always tight, it's obviously double points so I've got to go out and sail another good race and hopefully I can do that and make it all count." explains Ainslie.

With only two points separating the top three Lasers, tomorrow's medal race will be intense between World Champion Tom Slingsby (AUS), Gold medallist Paul Goodison (GBR), and Nick Thomson who is leading the Sailing World Cup standings after winning Sail Melbourne. New-Zealanders Sam Meech and Andrew Murdoch following 18 points behind on equal points have a small chance for bronze.

The top three haven't changed in the 470 men going into tomorrow's medal race. While seven teams have a chance for a medal, only the top four can pretend for Gold. Nicolas Charbonnier and Jérémie Mion (FRA) have slightly extended their lead on team mate Pierre Leboucher and Vincent Garos (FRA) who will try to keep their Trofeo Princesa Sofia title.

"Today was good for us," admits Charbonnier, "we have increased the points with the seconds." For the newly formed team, the Princesa Sofia MAPFRE was also the occasion to tune their act together. "We have learned a lot here, especially the areas where we have to work to better our sailing. So it is a very positive week."

The top three remain the same in the 470 women fleet but the teams have exchanged places. Jo Aleh and Bianca Babarich-Barber (NZL) are back in the lead in front of Japanese Ai Kondo and Wakako Tabata (JAP) and in third early leaders Cohen/Vered from Israel. Penny Clark and Katrina Hughes (GBR) in fourth place can technically get to any medal.

The medal race in the Laser radial will start with a new leader. Sara Winther (NZL) takes the lead from Evi van Acker (BEL) after placing 11th in the first race and winning the next. The score is tight between the top 10 and the podium opened to all medal racers! Today best results went to Gintare Scheidt (LTU) who climbs to fourth overall after a first and a second in today's races and is in contention for Gold.

2010 World Champion, Thierry Schmitter (NED) has successfully defended his title in the 2.4 competition after winning six out of ten races. The Dutch especially enjoyed the strong breeze on the first day: "It was great fun, We should have racing like that more often." Second overall was Heiko Kroger from Germany and Megan Pascoe (GBR) third.

"It's always nice to come away with a World Cup medal – it would have been nice to have a different colour but that's life and I did my best with what I had on the last day." says Pascoe.

Another beautiful day on Palma Bay for the Women's Match Racing fleet at the 42nd Trofeo S.A.R. Princesa Sofia MAPFRE. The conditions were fantastic for some great battles in the Quarter-Finals and Semi-Finals.
Silja Lehtinen (FIN) won her Quarter-Final over Silke Hahlbrock (GER) 3-0 and awaited her opponent. Anna Tunnicliffe (USA) saw her unbeaten streak ended by Stephanie Hazard (NZL), but rebounded to win her Quarter-Final 3-1. Claire Leroy (FRA) defeated her countrywoman Anne-Claire Le Berre (FRA) 3-1 to reach the Semi-Finals. The battle between Sally Barkow (USA) and Lucy Macgregor (GBR) came down to the 5th and final match with Barkow victorious and winning the knock-out series 3-2 to advance.
This set up an American battle in Semi-Final One between Tunnicliffe and Barkow and a Finnish-French match between Lehtinen and Leroy in Semi-Final Two.
Lehtinen won the first match, then Leroy tied it up. Lehtinen won the next two to secure her spot in tomorrow's Final.
"We had reached the Quarter Finals twice before, but we had never advanced. So, this was a big thing for us. Our goal for the event was to get to the Quarter Finals, so everything from here on is a bonus. There are a lot of great teams here and just getting to the top eight is very difficult. We have been training a lot Tomorrow we will just keep doing what we have been doing, nothing special. We made some big gains in our training before Miami as well and we'll just keep doing what we've been doing." explained Silja Lehtinen.
In the other Semi-Final, the two American teams – Sally Barkow and Anna Tunnicliffe – fought down to the wire in an exciting 5 match series which came down to a near phot finish with Barkow's team victorious.
"The key for today was that we really tried to be patient and not make any aggressive mistakes.  Every time we were getting all fired up, we just tried to calm down and keep it simple.  And I thought we had really good boatspeed and good boathandling and used it to our advantage.  Just a really tough battle with Anna (Tunnicliffe) - it was back and forth more times than I can remember and so we were just pleased to win by inches in the end. We'll just stick to the same game plan – we're going well through the water, so we'll just try to win the starts and go from there." commented Sally Barkow after her Semi-Final win.
The Finals will see Lehtinen and Barkow.  And Leroy will meet Tunnicliffe in the Petit-Finals.
Semi-Finals:
Sally Barkow (USA) defeats Anna Tunnicliffe (USA) 3-2
Silja Lehtinen (FIN) defeats Claire Leroy (FRA) 3-1
5. Stephanie Hazard (NZL)
6. Anne-Claire Le Berre (FRA)
7. Lucy Macgregor (GBR)
8. Silke Hahlbrock (GER)
Quarter-Finals:
Anna Tunnicliffe (USA) defeats Stephanie Hazard (NZL) 3-1
Claire Leroy (FRA) defeats Anne-Claire Le Berre (FRA) 3-1
Silja Lehtinen (FIN) defeats Silke Hahlbrock (GER) 3-0
Sally Barkow (USA) defeats Lucy Macgregor (GBR) 3-2

The medal races are sheduled from 11AM on Saturday 9th of April. They will be sailed on three courses set close to the shore. The Women Match Racing finals will take place in front of the Palma Cathedral

More Irish Olympic Sailing news.

Since the Department of Defence declared they no longer had an interest in sponsoring the continuation of the Asgard Sail Training Programme, and the subsequent decision of the Board of Asgard to wind up the Company, a working group supported by the ISA has worked to establish a National Sail Training Association.

Sail Training Ireland for Youth Development Ltd. has been established as a limited company recognised by Sail Training International as the representative body for Sail Training activities in Ireland.

An objectives of the organisation is to promote the development and Education of young Men and Women on the Island of Ireland in and through the Sail Training Experience regardless of Nationality, Culture, Religion, Gender or Social Background.

Sailing tributes have been paid to legendary boat builder George Bushe, who died last week aged 89.

Born in Baltimore, Co Cork, Bushe got his start in boat building through his father, who make traditional punts. From there he went on to Skinner's Boatyard in Skibbereen and worked with the late Jack O'Driscoll in Ringaskiddy.

In the 1960s and '70s he worked at the Southcoast Boatyard in Rochestown, where be built many famous racing boats for Cork's premier sailing clans - such as the Golden Apple for the late Hugh Coveney, father of Minister for the Marine Simon Coveney.

Bushe went into semi-retirement in the 1970s, working at the Royal Cork Yacht Club, restoring boats in winter and even racing his own until the mid 2000s.

His remains were carried to St Patrick's Cemetary in Crosshaven aboard the Cánóg, the last boat he completed and which he raced competitively as recently as 2006.

George Bushe is survived by his wife Carmel and their children: Bernice, Fergus, sail maker Majella, shipwright Mark, and boat builder and sailor Killian Bushe, who just last month received the Fastnet Award for his own contributions to sailing.
 
The Irish Examiner has more on the story HERE. 

Slam is providing all competitors with an event T-Shirt and will be offering competitors 20% off selected Technical products and exclusive X-Yacht branded items. For further information on the Slam X-Yachts Solent Cup please visit the event home page: http://www.x-yachts.com/seeems/119115.asp

Chris Ducker, Managing Director of Slam says" we are pleased to be associated with X-Yachts GB and Ireland, and looking forward to a fantastic Cup weekend. See you at the X-Yachts Solent Cup 6-8th May"

Entries have reached 26 so far so there are only the remaining 4 free berthing slots at the Royal Southern Yacht Club, if you would like to enter your X-Yacht in the event please see the event website.