Oisin Pierse of the Royal Cork Yacht Club leads the IODAI Optimist Trials at Ballyholme Yacht Club with the final races to be sailed on Sunday.

The 49-boat Optimist fleet is the largest sailing at this weekend's Youth Sailing Championships on Belfast Lough.

Lying second is Caoilinn Geraghty-McDonnell from the RStGYC with clubmate Carolina Carra in third place overall.

Caoilinn Geraghty-McDonnell (2021 National Champion), currently in second place at the IODAI 2022 Trials sailed out of Ballyholme Yacht Club

Conor Cronin (Malahide and Howth Yacht Club, 1634), Lucy Moynan (Royal Cork Yacht Club, 1620) and Jules Start (Royal St.George Yacht Club,1588) approaching the windward mark during Race 5 of the IODAI 2022 Trials sailed out of Ballyholme Yacht Club

A superyacht linked to sanctioned billionaire and Chelsea Football Club owner Roman Abramovich was met with a protest as it arrived at port in Bodrum, Turkey.

Members of the Optimist dinghy Sailing Team Ukraine met the vessel in a small boat, chanting "no war in Ukraine" and waving their country's flag.

They were part of a junior sailing team that was in Turkey to compete in an annual competition, having left Ukraine before the Russian invasion.

The final stop on the Optimist dinghy calendar found this intrepid bunch of sailors and their families back in Malahide Yacht Club for the IODAI National Training Week 27-30th October sponsored by CH Marine, the Grand Hotel and Dinghy Performance.

Ninety-five competitors were led by Head Coach Soren Laugesen (Denmark) and Senior Coach David Harte, along with the top national coaches.

This was a week that had something for everyone; big breeze on the Wednesday, light winds on Thursday, information sessions for class captains and parents on Friday and of course, the Halloween Regatta on Saturday. Not to mention the appearance of Olympic hero Annalise Murphy, who came to debrief the youngest of the fleet when they returned to shore and field all their many and varied questions. Trying to explain transits to eight-year-olds and why the trees don't actually need to be in the sea would test anyone's resilience but she rose to the challenge. Her presence was a huge lift to the sailors who hung on her every word.

The Optimists are briefed ashore at Malahide

The training week also saw the U12 and Development squads announced and selected sailors were able to train together as a group during the event. They will train and compete together throughout the 2022 season.

Onshore there was a dinner held in the Grand Hotel with fun and games organised for younger sailors while parents got to catch up. Class captains from all around the country met, exchanged ideas and Alex Walsh and Brendan Foley of IODAI presented the strategy for the development of the class for 2022.

The Halloween Regatta, which took place on the Saturday and also incorporated the Crosbie Cup saw OOD Neil Murphy run the main fleet off one start, getting through four races in a consistent breeze. The regatta is a precursor to Trails next year, allowing sailors from both the senior and junior fleets to compete against one another.

Optimists competing at the Broadmeadow in Malahide

William Walsh (NYC), for whom this was his last regatta, comprehensively led the way and took first place overall and first in Senior Main, closely followed by Oisin Pierse (RCYC) and Harry Dunne (HYC). The Junior Fleet saw two local sailors continue their close rivalry, Juliet Ryan (MYC) took first place, this time, with Conor Cronin (MYC) in second and Lucy Moynan (RCYC) in third. Ben Keating (HYC) finished in first place in the Junior Silver Fleet taking home with him the Crosbie Cup too.

Former MYC Commodore, Graham Smith took charge of the Regatta Fleet for the second time this year. As a number of sailors had progressed through the fleet during the season, there were lots of new faces and strong showings from

Hugo Breen (LRYC), James Crawford (RSt.George Yacht Club), Aurele Dion (NYC), Charlie McKibben (MBSC) and Alex Butcher (MYC) finished first to fifth accordingly

It was a fitting end to the year, cementing many friendships in the Oppie family as well as showcasing the sailors abilities and results of their hard work throughout the year.

The IODAI in conjunction with Malahide Yacht Club will be hosting the junior Optimist dinghy National Training week 27-30th October.

Although normally part of the Youth Sailing Nationals, due to COVID safety measures in 2021 the decision was made to organise a separate training week.

The Optimists will return to the Youth Pathways in 2022 in Ballyholme Yacht Club in Northern Ireland as well as continuing with its training week rotated at different locations around the country, according to IODAI President Alexander Walsh.

The IODAI National training week is part of an overall plan to kick-start the junior pathway. Participants will get access to top coaching and sports science information used by Olympic sailors. Head coach Soren Laugesen (Denmark) and David Harte, who also recently coached at Lough Ree's double-handed symposium, will be delivering a quality week for the sailors.

The event will consist of four days packed full of coaching, racing, pathfinder events, fun afternoons and social activities.

Sailors from all over Ireland have entered the event and excitement is starting to build.

The week has been put together to ensure that all aspects of Optimist sailing and racing are covered for all of our sailors.

The event will consist of four days packed full of coaching, racing, pathfinder events, fun afternoons and social activities. Photo: Afloat

During the week the IODAI U12 and Development squads will be announced providing a great opportunity for the squads to develop friendships and build a sense of team. Those not involved will also be receiving excellent coaching from both International and regional coaches. There really will be superb coaching for all.

While friendships may be forged on the water we all know that there is more to sailing. There are also plenty of opportunities during the week for sailors and their families to enjoy the more social side of the event.

Head coach Soren Laugesen (Denmark) aims to deliver a quality training week at Malahide

Thursday night will see an evening for all at the Grand Hotel Malahide. Dinner for parents will take place in the Matt Ryan bar and the adjoining function room will host our young sailors where they will be kept entertained in the 'Games room'. Dance mats, Retro arcade games and Giant Jenga are just some of the things on offer. Tickets for dinner can be bought via the website - before Monday 25th.

Friday will see coaching continue for our sailors providing a chance for class captains from all clubs to meet up onshore before a parent's information session. The morning is designed to inform parents about life as an Oppi parent, providing support and guidance for those just starting out and advice given from those more seasoned.

The rest of the afternoon will consist of a fun afternoon where sailors and parents alike participate in fun on the water activities with the coveted 'Parents Race' in hot contention! After a fun-filled afternoon on the water St James' Terrace Club House will host Paddy's Pizza Pie where pizza can be purchased after the busy activities of the day.

Saturday will see a return to racing with the Halloween Regatta for all NTW entrants combined with the Crosbie Cup. Sponsored by Dinghy Performance prizes include a new J Green sail and a set of Performance Foils.

The IODAI have issued a special thanks also to CH Marine for their sponsorship and the Grand Hotel for the use of their premises.

Fourteen-year-old William Walsh of the National Yacht Club at Dun Laoghaire won the 35-boat Senior fleet after six races sailed at the Optimist Munster Championships in Cork Harbour.

Walsh won by nine points from Howth Yacht Club's Des Turvey. Third was Royal Cork Yacht Club's Oisin Pierse.

Royal St. George helmswoman Abigail Murphy, aged 12, continued her overnight lead to win from Malahide Yacht Club's Conor Cronin in the 49 boat Junior fleet. Third was Howth Yacht Club's, Sarah Scott.

After six races sailed in the Regatta fleet, the National Yacht Club's Basile Dion (10) won from Royal Cork Yacht Club's Abigail O'Sullivan. Third was Howth Yacht Club's Kate Spain.

The youth sailing championships utilised the new purpose-built public slipway facilities provided by Port of Cork at Paddy's Point in Ringaskiddy. They raced under the burgee of Monkstown Bay Sailing Club.

The Senior and Junior fleet sailed five races on the Harbour's Curlane Bank under race officer Anthony O'Leary.

The Junior fleet raced on the Oyster Bank, conveniently located close to the Paddy's Point slipway on Saturday but did not race on Sunday due to weather.

The full results are here. 

Optimist Munster Championship Day 2 at Paddy's Point Photo Gallery 

National Yacht Club (NYC) junior sailors lead two of three Optimist dinghy divisions in a 119 boat fleet racing for Munster Championship honours at Monkstown Bay Sailing Club in Cork Harbour.

The youth sailing championships are utilising the new purpose-built public slipway facilities provided by Port of Cork at Paddy's Point in Ringaskiddy under the burgee of MBSC.

The Senior and Junior fleet sailed three races on the Harbour's Curlane Bank under race officer Anthony O'Leary.

The Junior fleet raced on the Oyster Bank, conveniently located close to the Paddy's Point slipway.

Fourteen-year-old William Walsh of the NYC leads the 35-boat Senior fleet after three races sailed from Royal St. George Yacht Club's Patrick Foley. Third is Royal Cork Yacht Club's, Joseph O'Leary.

Royal St. George helmswoman Abigail Murphy, aged 12, leads from Malahide Yacht Club's Conor Cronin in the 49 boat Junior fleet. Third is Kinsale's Ãrigo Rama­rez Fernandez.

After six races sailed in the Regatta fleet, the National Yacht Club's Basile Dion (10) leads Royal Cork Yacht Club Abigail O'Sullivan.  Third is Howth Yacht Club's Kate Spain.

Full results are here. 

Optimist Munster Championship at Paddy's Point Photo Gallery 

East Antrim Boat Club on Larne Lough on the Antrim coast welcomed 60 Optimists from all over Ireland to the Ulster Championships last Saturday and Sunday 18th and 19th September. A stalwart of the club, Tom Jobling, reckons it may have been three decades since there was an Optimist event at the Larne

Only four of the sixty strong fleet were from the North of Ireland; the Doig brothers and Ben Brownlees from the host club and Matthew Holden of Ballyholme.

In the 21 strong Senior fleet, Howth Yacht Club sailors Des Turvey and Harry Dunne dominated, finishing first and second, respectively. Turvey finished consistently in the top four, with Dunne never out of the first five but close on their heels was Oisin Pierse of Royal Cork in third slot.

Oisin Pierse from Royal Cork YC chasing Des Turvey (1556)

In the Junior division, first places were spread over the top scorers with Conor Cronin of Malahide, who had three, runner-up Carolina Carra of Royal St.George and fourth-placed Sarah Scott of Howth YC with one each in a fleet of 23.

The 16 strong Regatta fleet had seven races, and here Maeve and Emily Donagh from Lough Derg YC dominated, with Maeve counting four bullets and Emily one to finish first and second in that fleet. In third slot was Basile Dion of National YC.

The Lough experienced some of the very quiet conditions, which have occurred frequently in the North over the last couple of weeks, but Race Officer Richard Doig and his team did manage to get six races in the Senior and Junior fleets and seven in the Regatta fleet.

Full results here

130 young sailors aged between 8-15 years from across Ireland competed in the late Summer Optimist Championships in Dun Laoghaire Harbour sponsored by Citroen South at the weekend (4-5 September 2021). 

Clubs from Kinsale to Lough Ree and Antrim took part but most notably, 17 boats travelled to the event from Waterford Harbour Sailing Club (WHSC) in Dunmore East – many to their very first event.

Following a revival, the Optimist (Oppy) Class in Ireland is rebounding from the impact of lockdown with representation at all levels and great progress across the fleets from the first event in July to this event at the RStGYC.

Over 11 sailors earned a fleet upgrade from this event representing eight different clubs, while the 38-boat Regatta Fleet sailors enjoyed coaching from the RSGYC Instructor Team.

Optimist sailors in the Junior fleet reach a windward mark at the Royal St. George Late Summer Championships at Dun Laoghaire

As Afloat reported earlier, event winners in each category were:

Senior Fleet Gold - Caoilinn Geraghty-McDonnell (RSGYC), William Walsh (Tralee Bay SC), Cillian Twomey (Howth YC), Des Turvey (Howth YC) and Thea Daly (RSGYC)

Silver – Ellen Bruen (RCYC), Mia-Mai Hooper (Royal Irish YC), Jack Hanna (RSGYC), Hannah Scott (Howth YC) and Hannah Walsh (Tralee Bay SC)

Bronze – Suin N  Choistealbha (Malahide YC), Rory White (Waterford Harbour YC), Zita Tempany (RSGYC), Dylan Keane (Malahide YC) and Stan O’Rourke (Malahide YC)

Junior Fleet Gold - Carolina Carra (RSGYC), Abigail Murphy (RSGYC), Conor Cronin (Malahide YC), Olin Bateman (RCYC) and Lucy Moynan (RCYC)

Silver - Sarah Scott (Howth YC) (2nd junior overall!), Dougie Venner (RCYC), Andrew Mannion (Lough Ree YC), Rian O’Neill (RCYC) and Matt Mapplebeck (Kinsale YC)

Bronze - Max O’Hare (RSGYC), Mae Byrne (Lough Ree YC), Louise Hanley (NYC), Marcus Shelley (RSGYC) and Patrick Fegan (Malahide YC).

The next IODAI event is to be held at East Antrim BC on 18-19 September 2021.

Looking to next year, the RStGYC are looking forward to welcoming Oppy sailors back for the IODAI Irish Nationals Championships from 18-21 August 2022

The host club's 13-year-old Caoilinn Geraghty-McDonnell continues her winning run in the Optimist dinghy class and added a victory in the Royal St. George Yacht Club's Summer Optimist Championship yesterday in Dun Laoghaire to her National Championships success on Lough Derg last month. Geraghty-McDonnell finished the six-race series (with three race wins) on 11 points. Second in the 41-boat Senior fleet was Tralee Bay Sailing Club's William Walsh on 13, with third going to Howth Yacht Club's Cillian Twomey on 20 points.

Geraghty-McDonnell's clubmate Carolina Carra (12) won the 48-boat junior fleet on 14 points, just one point ahead of Sarah Scott of Howth Yacht Club. Third was Abigail Murphy, also of the host club on 17.

Thomas Judge of Sutton Dinghy Club stole a march in the 40 boat Regatta fleet that raced inside the harbour. Judge had a seven-point margin over Corey Browne from Royal Cork Yacht Club on 14. Third was Elizabeth Lyster of the Royal St. George Yacht Club on 17.0.

Full results are here

Sailed over four days, the Irish Optimist Nationals 2021 for youth sailors had a fleet of 133 boats representing over 13 different clubs, competing across the Regatta Fleet and Main, Senior and Junior fleets on Lough Derg Yacht Club.

The host club provided an outdoor venue for the travelling families with many having more than one sailor in the various fleets. 

PRO John Leech delivered 11 races, south of the Corrakeens Islands throughout the championships in typically shifting winds.

With the Regatta fleet sailing close to shore in Dromineer Bay, with Liam Maloney as Race Officer, which for many was their first regatta experience.

The organisers introduced a new format to the regatta fleet with 50% of their time provided as coaching, fun and games. 

Prize giving led by Joe Gilmartin, LDYC Commodore, outside in beautiful sunshine, crowned a new national champion in each fleet,

Caoilinn Geraghty McDonnell of RStGYC first in the Senior Fleet, Andrew O’Neill of RCYC first in the Junior Fleet and Patrick Fegan of MYC first Regatta.

Optimists go afloat at Lough Derg for the 2021 National Championships

Racing was very tight over the 4 days with the leading changing each day. Two points separated first from second-placed Des Turvey, HYC in the Senior fleet, and Two points in the Junior fleet from Conor Cronin of MYC.

Royal Cork YC were the team prize winners in both Senior and Junior fleets.

Full results can be found here 

IODAI President Alexander Walsh said, "feedback from both competitors and parents was very positive and look forward to returning to Lough Derg Yacht Club for great racing afloat, great hospitality ashore and lots of activities for the children to enjoy ashore".