The 17th-19th of October saw three great days of racing for the Team Racing National Championships. Organised by ITRA – the Irish Team Racing Association – in conjunction with Fastnet Marine and Outdoor Education Centre, racing took place in Schull Harbour across Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
An intense petite final between The Holy Trinity and American Tragic
As Afloat reported earlier, windy conditions characteristic of the season saw sailors competing in storm sails across all flights on Friday and Saturday. Volunteers and competitors alike rose before the sun on Saturday morning in an attempt to beat the heavy winds that were forecasted to arrive in the afternoon. Somewhat lighter conditions on the Sunday allowed for the use of full sails but, with winds increasing as the day progressed, the afternoon was not devoid of the occasional capsize!
Smiles on competitors’ faces throughout the weekend, including double Olympian Finn Lynch (bottom left)
With 19 teams competing, an initial round robin saw the fleet divided into three flights of gold, silver and bronze. Fates were not yet sealed, however, as the format of racing allowed for the winners of the silver round robin to earn themselves a place in gold. This is what happened heading into the quarter finals, as winners of silver Curious George faced the winners of gold, Baltimore SC, in one of four quarterfinals. Meanwhile the seedings from the gold round robin saw Trinity Trojans take on the George Jesters, UCC 1 face The Holy Trinity, and UCD race American Tragic.
Baltimore SC beat the George Jesters in their defence of the national ITRA title.
Having made it through to the semi finals before being defeated, The Holy Trinity and American Tragic battled it out in the petite final for third place. The Holy Trinity came out as victors and secured that podium finish. As has been the case at nationals these past three years, it was Baltimore SC and the George Jesters who faced each other in the final. Baltimore SC were victorious in a best-of-three battle, defending their title as national champions. The George Jesters took home the silver medal.
A deceptively calm looking Schull Harbour on the Sunday morning of racing.
On Saturday evening, following the day’s racing, an AGM was held to elect the new ITRA committee for the 2025/26 season. Toby Hudson-Fowler was elected as ITRA Chairperson, with Jack Fahy having completed his term. Secretary Eimear O’Regan, who contributed much to the organising of this event, was re-elected to her position. The new ITRA committee, consisting of 10 members, has now set to work to plan a full calendar of Irish team racing events for the upcoming year.
Outgoing and incoming Chairs of ITRA, Jack Fahy and Toby Hudson-Fowler respectively, share a moment on the water on the final day of racing.
Thank you to Fastnet Marine and Outdoor Adventure Centre for hosting the Team Racing Nationals 2025, to all the volunteers who gave up their time throughout the weekend, thereby allowing the event to run, and to Cully and Sully, who kept all the competitors fueled with much-needed hot soup at lunchtime each day!
