Len Sheil – “Skipper” to his many friends for as long as anyone can remember – was the very embodiment of Dun Laoghaire sailing with a cruising emphasis, as his father Commander Richard Sheil RNR, was Harbour Master of the unique and extensive “artificial yet natural” port from 1938 to 1948. Thus young Len’s already close relationship with the Dun Laoghaire way with boats was at a particularly intensive stage during his most formative years from the age of four to 14 when his father was in the Harbour Office, thereby adding to the intensity of his relationship with his home place. And at the end of this special time, the son was already moving from peak parental influence in the maritime sphere to having his own circle of friends around boats, the sea, and with Dun Laoghaire in all its many manifestations, reinforcing it as a central element in his character for all of his 88 years.

MERCHANT MARINE

In fact, the only time he was away from year-round living in Dun Laoghaire was the seven years he spent with the Merchant Marine as a Marconi Radio Officer, including time with Irish Shipping, when that very special company was in its golden years, his radio speciality providing him with several global circumnavigations and more than 30 crossings of the Atlantic.

Initially, his sailing and early racing had been with his older brother David in a venerable clinker-built craft, a former motorized harbour launch which, at the end of its working life, had been re-born as a useful sailing dinghy, complete unto a bowsprit, and named Popeye.

The first co-command – with brother David, Len brings the former motorized harbour launch Popeye into the little harbour at Blackrock on a rising tide, with his father, the Dun Laoghaire Harbour-Master, taking the lines. Photo: Hazel Sheil

This had been at a time when new boats were completely unavailable, so the conversion of Popeye was ingenious. But as Fireflies and IDRA 14s began to spread into the Dun Laoghaire fleet, Len and David joined them to race from the Royal St George Yacht Club during the 1950s and early ’60s.

After sea service, he began to build a shore career in the insurance industry, working first in an established brokerage and then setting up his own healthily developing firm. This was something that he found so satisfying that even when supposedly retired with a free travel pass should he wish to use it, he was soon dabbling as a successful business pioneer in the video rental business.

NATIONAL YACHT CLUB & IRISH CRUISING CLUB

Domestic life was a natural for him, and at his passing he’d been married to Hazel Roche for 63 years. With a home in Glenageary, he’d transferred his sailing centre to the National Yacht Club, as it is most directly the Glenageary district’s natural link to the sea. He found the cruising element in that congenial club to be his place of special friendship, such that when he ordered a new 25ft cruising sloop from builders in Itchenor on Chichester Harbour in Sussex, his NYC friends Aidan Dunne and Bill Crosbie, together with Hazel’s brother Charlie Roche, readily joined up to help him sail her home.

The new boat was named Gailey Bay after the extensive inlet on the west shore of Lough Ree where Hazel’s family had formerly been so involved with inland waterways high summer sailing that they used to stage their own regattas there. Len himself was meanwhile being drawn into sailing administration of a different kind, as he joined the Irish Cruising Club in 1968 and he and his friend Aidan Dunn were to form a key administrative double act for the ICC for many years as it approached its Golden Jubilee in 1979, with Aidan as Honorary Secretary and Len as Honorary Treasurer.

THE TOTAL CRUISING FAMILY

The complete picture of the Sheil clan as a model cruising family came in 1975, when they’d a classic all-ages family cruise to Scotland with Gailey Bay, which Hazel wrote up for the ICC Annual. With all four children – Lenny (13), Bobby (10), Gilly (8) and Susie (4) on the strength, the little headroom-lacking boat was at her ship’s company number limits. But by taking the interesting route north from Dun Laoghaire to Peel in the Isle of Man and then Portpatrick in southwest Scotland, they were lined up to access the “real” West Coast via the Crinan Canal – an ideal project as its workings fascinate young sailors, and you make new friends at every lock.

The Skipper – Len Sheil as his friends remember him, living for the moment and enjoying every second of it. Photo courtesy Hazel Sheil

They were to use 23 new anchorages in all, with a highlight being a visit rowing their own dinghy into Fingal’s Cave on Staffa, an experience so unique to cruising your own boat that it puts any visit to Staffa’s related geological formations of the Giant’s Causeway on Ireland’s north coast into the ha’penny place.

Other notable cruises in “the little blue boat with all the children” were to West Cork where, in Courtmacsherry, they were to strike up a lifelong friendship with explorer Tim Severin. But the immaculately-maintained Gailey Bay – with which Len was able to demonstrate the truth of his dictum that the most important additive in perfect varnish work was elbow-grease - had very rapidly passed the stage of being suitable for a growing family with rising cruising aspirations, and Len and Hazel found their dreamship in the Holman-designed full-headroom all-wood Sterling 28 Gay Gannet, which they bought from Mungo Park.

“The little blue boat with all the children in it” – Gailey Bay in North Harbour, Cape Clear, in 1972 Photo: Courtesy Hazel Sheil

Prior to the Park ownership, Gay Gannet had been for many years in the fastidious hands of Jack Wolfe, and Len was if anything determined to raise the already high standards of maintenance. Thus she was a natural star at events like the Glandore Classic Regatta, where she not only was in the frame in the concours d’elegance category, but won races as well.

And on a broader canvas, she was well able for husband-and-wife ventures, such as round Ireland multi-stop circuits and intriguing cruising voyages to other locations “beyond the seas”, during which any fellow cruising enthusiast would be enriched by meeting up with the Skipper and Hazel, as their quiet yet total enthusiasm for this special way of life was an inspiration and encouragement for all cruising folk.

Although he was slowing down on his active involvement in sailing by his late seventies, Len continued as a highly-respected senior figure in the Dun Laoghaire maritime scene, and he and Hazel were regular and popular supporters of the National Yacht Club and its hospitality facilities right to the end, when he was also known to be continuing to practice his radio-signalling skills as an ongoing mental exercise.

Len “Skipper” Sheil was a benign and quietly inspiring presence, a beneficial influence for many simply by being himself. He will be much missed, and our heartfelt condolences go to Hazel and his family and his very many friends.

WMN

When the weather plays ball, the kids enjoy sailing! The two weeks of the Easter break may have been cold and split by the last (we hope) storm of the season, but they certainly deliver some great sailing for our juniors, starting with a week of the home open-based clinics and courses and concluding with the Youth Sailing Nationals where our top sailors battled for the six nationals titles on offer.

Smiles, capsizes, fun and final pre-nationals sessions

Conor Gorman left his Optimist Performance group to head coach Thomas Chaix for the week focusing on the up-and-coming future talents. The 7 to 12 years old kept him and his team on their toes as they enjoyed medium winds within the harbour walls. And if sailing was not enough, the kids were all smiles when adding an hour of fun on kayaks each day.

Thanks to 49er FX owner Lauren O'Callaghan, a few young sailors also had the opportunity to experience the thrill of trapezing and fast boats under the watchful eyes of the head coach.

Sailors with their eyes set on the Youth nationals also trained in three short day clinics in Toppers, Fevas and Optimist. The club platform was buzzing with laughter, capsizes stories and the growing anticipation of the first big event of the year approaching. Ballyholme's Matthew Holden, Howth's Harry Dunne, Tralee's Ben Chaix, Tipperary girls Gemma and Grace and a small contingent of South East Topper sailors were welcome additions to the club sessions demonstrating that serious training can work hand in hand with friendship, family and fun.

The week concluded for the Optimist team with the Brassed off Cup in Howth, a traditional one-day event on Good Friday to welcome the return of chocolate treats!

The NYC team used the event as a stepping stone towards their final preparation for the Youth nationals but also a good way to test winter lessons for the sailors who were not selected to take part. Team NYC was the largest group showing our support for the event organised by one of our partner clubs. The team picked up four out of the nine prizes on offer. (Louis Trickett led the regatta fleet with Ben Chaix in 3rd. Jacob Browne took silver in Junior and Harry Dunne Bronze in Senior)

And Storm Noah came putting all activities to a halt for a few days.

Youth Nationals in Howth

The youth nationals is a unique event on the calendar as all the Performance Pathway classes compete over four days in a single venue to decide on 6 Youth titles. Team NYC was composed of 25 sailors competing in 20 boats. The club had representation in four of the six classes competing and confirmed NYC as the premier club in skiff sailing (number of entries and performance).

Some of the National Yacht Club team at the Youth Sailing Nationals at Howth Yacht Club Photo: Thomas Chaix

Some of the National Yacht Club team at the Youth Sailing Nationals at Howth Yacht Club

The team of coaches was led by club head coach Thomas Chaix to deliver support to the sailors ashore and afloat.

On the Junior course, Team NYC had a young and relatively new Topper group most of which only retired from Optimist sailing during the latter part of the winter. They enjoyed some excellent individual races, including a 4th (Grace Keating), a 5th (Hannah Walsh), Three 8ths (two courtesy of Rory Brennan-Hobbs and one from Hannah Walsh). The team is now gearing up towards the Northerns in Carrickfergus at the end of the month.
NYC sole sailor in the ILCA4 James Hall competed for 2 days before reverting to rugby duties (and a great win in the league final) with his best score as an 18th position in race 2.

On the Youth Course, the club 29ers displayed an impressive set of skills with a grand battle at the front between now 3 times youth national champion Ben O'Shaugnessy and crew Ethan Spain and club mates Clementine and Nathan Van Steenberge. The only race the two pairs did not win was snatched by U17 world champions Lucia Cullen and Alanna Twomey. Completing the top five were team NYC sailors Lauren O'Callaghan and crew James Dwyer and fast progressing William Walsh and Conor Flynn. Eoin Byrne and Alexander Trickett had their ups and down, finally taking 8th overall.

The high-stakes Optimist fleet completed ten races with the usual drama, smiles, close finishes and a display of skills in the youngest sailors in the country.

Team NYC was composed by eight sailors in the 43-boat fleet. It must be noted that the event is only open to sailors who have earned selection through their previous year's ranking.

Locally based sailor Harry Dunne revealed in the varied conditions with a consistent series about edging out his nearest rival by a point for the title. After a wobbly start, Gemma Brady delivered an outstanding series for her first participation at the event, just about missing out on the podium (4th). Both sailors will be part of the five-sailor team Ireland going to the world championship in Spain in June.

Louise Hanley (17th) and James Gorman (21st) also earned selection in team Ireland and have been offered to represent the club and the country at the French summer cup as members of the 8 sailors International Development team.

Agonisingly, Matthew Holden's 24th position meant he is currently the first sub for that team.

The season is now launched, and sailors are already looking forward to the next events in May

• Topper Northerns, Carrickfergus
• 29er Southerns, RCYC
• Feva Easterns, RIYC
• Optimist Leinsters, NYC
• Feva UK nationals, Pwllheli

Afloat.ie regrets to record the death in his 89th year of Len "Skipper" Sheil of the National Yacht Club, Dun Laoghaire, who was the epitome of the quiet yet effectively enthusiastic Dublin Bay sailor with a strong and active interest in classic cruising yachts.

A full appreciation will appear in due course; meanwhile, our heartfelt sympathies are with his family and many friends.

The funeral is in St Joseph's Church, Glasthule, Co. Dublin at 10.0am on Friday, April 14th.

National Yacht Club Winter sailing programmes have been full throttle in the various classes supported by the club, preparing actively for the beginning of the racing season.

The Flying 15 winter training has led the way with an early launch every Saturday and Sunday morning, alternating self-training with sessions including video support. Two of the four teams training have been reunited with their boat in Perth, Australia and have just passed the world championship's halfway mark. After nine races, John Lavery and Alan Green lead Irish hopes in 15th overall.

The Optimist fleet has been training hard with a mix of special clinics led by the club Head coach and regular Saturday afternoon training under the guidance of club coach Conor Gorman. The OptiOrange event in Valencia, Spain, was the perfect opportunity to test progress in a very competitive 450 boats international fleet (over 25 nations competing). 10 sailors from NYC flew to Valencia to compete in the 12 races series. The Irish Fleet, in general, has a lot of work left to do to climb back international ranks, however, progress was noted with Gemma Brady securing a comfortable top-half finish and Hannah Walsh just about missing out on that top half for a final event in an Optimist. She will be joined in her transition into a youth boat by Lucas Browne who finished what was somewhat a tough event with his two best races on the final day.

Ten sailors from the National Yacht Club flew to the OptiOrange event in Valencia, Spain to compete in the 12 races series

The 29er fleet had a few sessions under the leadership of Tadgh Donnelly before heading to Weymouth (venue of the next worlds) for a UK Grand Prix. Ryanair cancellations and bad weather made it for a challenging weekend as some sailors travelled by road and others by air. No Irish partnerships managed a full series because the flights were delayed by almost 24 hours. The UK 29er class was very accommodating and we could recombine partnerships to optimise our time on site. Lauren O'Callaghan and Ethan Spain partnered up for the first three races on Saturday (and took the lead in the mixed category) before their own partners eventually arrived. The rest of the team could complete the last race on Saturday before completing the full series on Sunday. Ben O'Shaugnessy and Ethan Spain eventually found the extra gear they were missing to win the final race.

Third event in a row for head coach Thomas Chaix with the Topper winters in Lough Derg. It certainly felt like winter with polar temperatures, strong winds and rain. Eight NYC sailors, including four newbies, competed in the four races series. Ella Fitzgerald felt a bit rusty not having sailed her Topper for a while, and settled with 10th overall in the 55 boats fleet. The club sailors collected 2 minor prizes with Kate Molloy 3rd lady junior (Hannah Walsh 4th and Grace Keating 5th) and Lucas Browne 3rd boy junior, for his first event. Our youngest member ten year old Ava Molly, was competing in the 4.2 rig fleet completing race three despite the bitter cold.

We are now focusing on the last couple of weekends' training prior to the Youth nationals, where our ILCA4, ILCA6, Topper, 29er and Optimist sailors will compete.

The latest update regarding Schools team racing is that the Leinster Schools Team Racing Championships, which took place on Sunday the 12th of March in the National Yacht Club was an outstanding success considering some challenging wind shifts and speed, writes Eunice Kennedy

As Afloat reported previously, 18 teams signed up for the event, but unfortunately, one team had to drop out due to unexpected circumstances.

18 teams signed up for the event making it a Leinster Schools Team Racing Championships record in Dun Laoghaire Photo: Michael Chester

On Sunday morning, Race Officer David Bolger took to the water at 09.10, where he laid an S-shaped sailing course with his team of excellent mark layers. Wind speed was flickering between 4 to 7 knots and was from the South East. They were some close racing, and Rule 42 came to the fore with a few red flags for breaches of this rule. Mark rounding was also very interesting, with close calls for mark contact. 

At 12 noon, the wind dropped, and we were becalmed, which resulted in a race being abandoned at mark 1 to the delight of the losing team, who had a 4th, 5th and 6th position.

At approximately 12.25, the wind gradually started to fill in from the southwest, and the average wind speed increased to between 12 and 17 knots. It was accompanied by a number of squalls whose wind speed was 22 to 24 knots, right in the wind limit range. Thankfully the boats had been sent out with their storm sails as we carefully watched the weather forecast and were aware that it was due to get gusty from 13.00. True to form, it did so, and no time was lost in sending the boats ashore to swap from full rig to storm rig.

David Bolger, who is exemplary at completing Round Robins for us to go to Knock Outs, considering the wind shifts, accomplished this task. Just as well as there was a 3-way tie on 100% scores by St. Andrews College teams one, two and three, with Holy Child Killiney 1 on 75% race wins in 4th.

A draw took place to determine what teams would race against each other in the semi-finals.

St. Andrews 1 faced off against St. Andrews 3, and Holy Child Killiney1 faced off against St. Andrews 2.

The format was the best of 3 races. St. Andrews 1 and St. Andrews 2 were the victors, with two wins each against their opponents. This left Holy Child Killiney 1 to face off against St. Andrews 3 to determine the 3rd and 4th placed boats. Lo and behold, the wind proceeded to drop, and we were running out of time according to our schedule so the Finals and Petite Finals were a do-or-die race.

St. Andrews 1 was the victor over St. Andrews 2, thereby winning the Leinster Schools Team Racing Championships. St. Andrews 2 was second, and Holy Child Killiney 1 an all-girl team, beat St. Andrews 3 to take 3rd.

The top six teams in the event now go forward to compete in the Irish Schools Team Racing Championships which will take place in the Royal St. George Yacht Club on the 29th and 30th of April.

A huge thanks are attributed to Rebecca Hall and her wonderful team of volunteers for their first time running a Team Racing Event. The Irish Schools Team Racing Association is delighted with the result, as the competitors had a great day of racing and lots of fun ashore between their races. The competitors were exemplary with their good behaviour both on and off the water, and we express our Thanks as it enhanced the running of the event. We wish the six qualifying teams the best of luck at the Irish Schools Team Racing Championships.

Our thanks go to Vincent Delany and Harriet Emerson for their on-the-water umpiring, Declan Traynor and James Traynor, our on water Safety Officers, David Bolger and his team of volunteers on the Start Boat, the Finish Boat Team, Mark Layers, Keith Start the Beach Master and his team of volunteers, Dara Totterdell and Kevin Doyle on Results, Sandra Moore and her Race Office Team, the Change Over Rib volunteers, Hal and Aido for acting as Bosuns, the School Representatives who looked after their teams and assisted with the running of the event.

Round the World yachtsmen and women, international skiff performers, Olympians, youth sailors, photographers and outstanding acts of bravery were all applauded on Saturday night at the National Yacht Club Awards at Dun Laoghaire Harbour on Dublin Bay. 

In one of the highlights of the club year, National Yacht Club Commodore Conor O'Regan presented thirteen annual prizes for outstanding sailing achievements in 2022.

The National Yacht Club's Boyne Regatta Cup - for best performance in offshore racing of the year went to Gavin Doyle for his first place in the RORC Channel Race, third RORC Cherbourg Race and fifth in RORC Season Points Championship racing both double-handed and with a crew of three. Doyle's mother, Pamela, received the trophy on his behalf from National Yacht Club Commodore Conor O'Regan Photo: Michael Chester

The winner of the National Yacht Club's Concorde Plate was Andrew Irvin for his participation in the SSE Airtricity Round Ireland Race 2022 onboard the Under-25 Figaro 3, 'Luzern eComm U25' Photo: Michael Chester

The National Yacht Club's O'Leary Cup - for the best performance of the year in one design sailing went to Rio 2016 Olympian Finn Lynch For a great year filled with success campaigning in the ILCA 7 Class, which saw him ranked second in the World during 2022. Commodore Conor O'Regan presented the trophy. Pictured also is Eline Flotoft Elnan  Photo: Michael Chester

 The National Yacht Club's John Byrne Memorial Trophy - for the most significant contribution to sailing in NYC during the year - was won by Michael Chester for giving his photographic skills for many years to the club. Photo: Frank Burgess

The National Yacht Club's Edward Yacht Club Trophy – for best performance of the year in dinghies, Mermaids or Flying Fifteens, was won by Clementine (pictured) and Nathan Van Steenberge for their performance as the most successful NYC skiff crew in years on the International circuit (29er season with sister Clementine): Results include Bronze at 49er U23 Europeans, Silver at 29er EUrocup ranking (crowns a season achievements) - 1st mixed team, Silver at 29er Eurocup finals in Italy (Gold Mixed), Bronze at 29er Hungarian Eurocup (Gold Mixed) 9th at 29er French Eurocup (Gold mixed), 17th at 29er Europeans (Silver in mixed), 22nd at 29er Worlds (Bronze in mixed)" Photo: Michael Chester

The National Yacht Club's Winkelmann Trophy – for Cadet of the year was presented by Adam Winkelmann to Ethan Spain for the most successful skiff crew at home. Results include: 29er national champion (with helm Ben O'Shaughnessy), 29er silver at Irish youth nationals (helm Johnny Flynn), winner of the skiff west event, winner of Double Ree (helm Lauren O'Callaghan) and internationally; 8th at the 29er Eurocup finals, 37th at the 29er worlds and 15th at 29er Kiel week Photo: Michael Chester

The National Yacht Club's Greystones 1892 Regatta Cup - for the team who represented the club with distinction went to the teams at the Women at the Helm Regatta 2022, Team Mabajo - Ann Kirwan & Crew (Bandit), Helen Cooney & Crew (Joy Ride) and Cathy MacAleavy & Crew (Mariposa) Photo: Michael Chester

The National Yacht Club's Paul Murphy Cup - for the sailing management volunteer of the year was awarded to Richard Staveley for providing Luna Lady, his Bavaria 43 cruising yacht, for countless events as a Committee boat as well as his time and good company Photo: Michael Chester

 For the best cruise of the year, the National Yacht Club's Township Cup went to Liam and Ruth Shanahan for their adventure across the Atlantic in the ARC 2021 and continued to the Oyster Round the World Rally. Pictured are Richard Cullen, Liam and Ruth Shanahan, and Guy Kilroy with Commodore Conor O'Regan Photo: Photo: Michael Chester

The National Yacht Club's Martin Crotty Trophy Award - for a younger Member who shows sailing endeavour - went to Tadgh Donnelly for helming his SB20 'Leviathan' to 11th overall and third-best Irish boat in the SB20 Worlds 2022, including scoring 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the 12 races constituting the Championships held on Dublin Bay Photo: Michael Chester 

The National Yacht Club Muglins Cup - for the most interesting family cruise was won by Simon and Carolyn Thornton and their son Mathew for their Greek family cruise during the Summer of 2022 around the Halkidiki Region in Northeastern Greece on their Hanse 34. Photo: Michael Chester

The National Yacht Club Wild Geese Trophy - for the Overseas member who performs best in racing or distinguishes himself/herself in sailing. This year the prize went to Mark O'Connor for his highly successful first season in a Mini 6.50 on the notoriously competitive French circuit. Pictured is his Mum, Clodagh O'Connor, with Commodore Conor O'Regan and Adam Winkelmann Photo: Michael Chester 

The National Yacht Club Sue McDonnell Trophy - for the female club member who has contributed most to the advancement of women in sailing was won by Ann Kirwan. For many years Ann has furthered diversity and inclusion in the club and the wider sailing community for women in sailing as Commodore of DBSC and in her support of the Women at the Helm Regatta. Pictured with Commodore Conor O'Regan with Ann Kirwan is Sue Mc Donnell's daughter Fiona Photo: Michael Chester 

The National Yacht Club Totterdell Trophy - for the member who has contributed most to promoting and developing the Laser class in the club. Rodney Regan Rodney has always turned up in great humour for Laser sailing, training and racing, no matter what. Though he has been hugely committed to sailing, he is always ready to help and support other sailors whenever possible. Over the last many weeks, Rodney has written a detailed and humorous post-training blog / debrief. All the Laser and Aero sailors enjoy that! Pictured are Ed Totterdell, Rodney Regan and Commodore Conor O'Regan Photo: Michael Chester

Tim Bourke for running the Adult Sail Training programme 2022. This proved highly successful with existing members and added massive value to their membership. It has also attracted significant interest from prospective new members. (Pictured is Flor with Commodore) Photo: Michael Chester

The National Yacht Club's Commodore's Cup was won by the Dublin Bay 21 Class table. Fionán DeBarra and Hal Sisk Fionán kept a dream alive to restore the Dublin Bay 21 Fleet despite the many setbacks and hurdles over 37 years. While others, particularly Hal Sisk, are key to the fleet revival, Fionán's passion, perseverance, loyalty and ultimate custodianship of this unique class finally paid off with the relaunching of Naneen, Garavogue and Estelle and the great 1st season of racing in 2022. Work continues on the remaining four boats in the fleet, with Geraldine nearing completion and the frames of two more boats ready for assembly. Photo: Michael Chester

Jack Hall, Hal Fitzgerald, John Duffy and Nicola Ferguson for their outstanding display of courage and selfless act of bravery in reacting to an incident over the summer. Pictured are John Duffy and Jack Hall with Commodore Conor O'Regan Photo: Michael Chester 

National Yacht Club members at Dun Laoghaire Harbour took their annual Christmas Eve swim this morning.

Open to members and non-members (for a small entry fee), the icy plunge is held annually in aid of good causes and attracts a big crowd in the east coast port.

This year the NYC dippers raised funds for Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin.

As Afloat previously reported, the swim takes place from the club's pontoon with Santa also getting in on the act.

Light social “light refreshments” are served afterwards.

John Corcoran is the man behind the NYC fundraising for the Hospital.

"Crumlin does incredible work and appreciates not just the funds but our display of support for their vital work", he said.

National Yacht Club Christmas Eve Swim Photo Gallery by Michael Chester

The forecast was encouraging after a few weekends of tough conditions with cancelled and postponed training sessions for the various National Yacht Club squads at Dun Laoghaire Harbour on Dublin Bay.

Saturday was certainly delivered with cool yet lovely 8-12 kts wind conditions from the East; Sunday proposed another type of challenge with blustery, wet and cold conditions!

The weekend had a special clinic led by the club head coach in store for the Optimist group. The focus was on boat handling, rules management and tactics in crowded spaces. The perfect conditions on Saturday allowed the programme to go ahead with many short videos taken to enhance learning. Sunday, however, forced on the group a plan B, starting with a shore-based workshop before heading afloat for a high-octane windy session.

Optimist sailor (1607) Hannah Walsh of the National Yacht Club Photo: Nicola Ferguson 

The single-handers enjoyed two great sessions managed by James Delaney before gathering for a social evening in the dining room. A couple of Aeros, however, elected to race the INSS super series races in the morning. Early rise for the head coach, who took the opportunity to try out an Aero 7 on the first three races before heading back to shore to get the Optimist clinic underway. NYC's Noel Butler wrapped up the series with a comprehensive lead overall.

The Toppers were set to sail on the Sunday but Hugh O'Connor readjusted his session to the conditions, only taking one boat out and performing regular swaps between the sailors.

The final 29er weekend of the year was a great success with six teams put through their pace on both days (some fast and furious sailing on Sunday) under the leadership of NYC coach Tadgh Donnelly and Olympic hopeful Seafra Guilfoyle.

The annual NYC Junior Awards Ceremony occurred at the National Yacht Club on Saturday, 26th November. The awards night is when NYC juniors traditionally take over the club.

This is when the achievements of our juniors in summer courses and in National and international events are acknowledged marking the end of the junior sailing season.

In addition, the evening is an opportunity to thank all our instructors and assistant instructors for their great work over the summer and to acknowledge the huge effort they make in ensuring that our young sailors have a fun summer course whilst nurturing a lifelong love of sailing in a safe environment.

The National Yacht Club is packed by junior sailors for the awards evening at Dun Laoghaire Harbour

It is also an event when parents can get together. Last Saturday, the JB room was buzzing with relaxed parents, whilst upstairs the dining room was filled with our juniors.

The evening started for the juniors with spot prizes, followed by dinner for both juniors and parents. After the meal, our instructors organised a table quiz with prizes to let the relaxation last a bit longer for the parents. And to finish, there was a selection box for ‘everyone in the audience’ to start the Christmas festivities.

Thanks to all the staff of NYC, especially John and Cormac, for their support in hosting over 100 juniors upstairs and 60 parents downstairs. It was a seamless production. 

The National Yacht Club instructors with Commodore Conor O'Regan (right)

The awards ceremony then began with a total of 137 recipients receiving prizes. We celebrated our juniors’ performance in summer courses to Optimist, Topper, ILCA (formerly Laser), Feva and 29er Fleets in National and international events. In addition, we awarded special individual awards. We also recognised our SI Nicola Ferguson and Assistant SI Clare Gorman for their huge efforts this summer, together with all our NYC instructors and assistants. The final part of the ceremony was the trophy ceremony to present special awards to sailors across the Junior Section.

The list of the prizes winners is below.

The evening wrapped up with a raffle in aid of the RNLI and PIETA House, in which we raised €1000. Thank you to Aoife Hofler for organising the raffle and super prizes from our sponsors:

• RTE
• Viking Marine
• Mediacentral
• Spotify
• The Irish Times
• Keogh’s

Thanks to our head coach Thomas Chaix for all the organising and support he has contributed to our Junior Section since his appointment and for stepping in as main photographer at the award ceremony.

Thanks also to all the Junior Committee for ensuring our young sailors had a great 2022.

Happy Christmas and here’s to a happy and healthy 2023.

Rebecca Hall, NYC Junior Organiser

PART I: Summer Course 2022 Achievement Awards

• Most Improved Taste of Sailing – Aveline Gaffney, Elodie Chapman
• Most Improved Start Sailing – Albane Rouillon, Freddy Hofler
• Most Improved Basic Skills – Michael O’Brien, Aodh J Carty, Charles Collenette, Isabelle Byrne
• Most Improved Improving Skills – Louis Trickett, Lara Fitzpatrick
• Most Improved Advanced Boat Handling – Jamie Kirrane, Mark O’Meara
• Most Improved Racing – Daniel McDaid, Ethan Verling
• Most Improved Adventure – Siofra O’Donnell, Clarissa Byrnes
• Most Improved J80s – Peadar Doyle, Oisin Alexander, Minnie Mansfield
• Most Improved Feva Helms and Crews – Leonardo Errico, Zara Whelan, Finn Collins, Clodagh Denn, Caoilfhionn Denn
• Most Improved Toppers – Hugo Farrington, Ben Doherty, Rory Brennan Hobbs

PART II: Trophy Ceremony

OPTIMIST FLEET

Junior Optimist Fleet

3rd Prize – James Gorman

2nd Prize – Basile Dion

1st Prize, Cullen Cup – Johnathan Dempsey (1st Ranked NYC sailor)

Senior Optimist Fleet

3rd Prize - Hannah Walsh

2nd Prize - Louise Hanley

1st Prize, Ferguson Cup – Felix Dion – Highest ranked NYC sailor

Regatta fleet: Optimist sailors that we should keep an eye on next year

• Aurele Dion
• Jacob Brown
• Michael Hanley
• Louise Trickett
• Felicia De Vreeze

FEVA FLEET

3rd Prize – Peadar Doyle and Senan Corry (3rd Silver Fleet in Nationals)

2nd Prize – Lizzie Hall and James Hall (1st Silver Fleet Nationals)

1st Prize, Double Hander Trophy (Feva) (Plaque) – Theo Madigan and Cathal O’Regan (6th Gold Fleet in Nationals)

TOPPER FLEET

3rd Place – Lizzie Hall

2nd Place – James Hall

1st Place, Cooney Cup (Topper Trophy) – Ella Fitzgerald

LASER 4.7 Trophy (Donal Loghlan O’Sullivan Cup)

Dylan De Vreeze

LASER RADIAL Fleet

3rd Place – Zoe Hall

2nd Place – Benjamin Reeser

1st Place, Lynch Cup (Laser Radial Trophy) – Sam Ledoux

29 FLEET

van Steenberge Cup (29er Trophy) – Ben O Shaughnessy and Ethan Spain

Recognition awards for their achievements this season in 29er Fleet for

Lauren O’Callaghan and Clementine van Steenberge

29er skiff sailor Clementine van Steenberge receives the Cathy MacAleavey Trophy from National Yacht Club Commodore Conor O'Regan

Cathy McAleavey Trophy

This award is given to the sailor that has achieved the most in 2022

Clementine van Steenberge (29er).

PART III: AWARDS to sailors who went above and beyond in 2022

Shanahan Cup (The most helpful assistant and TY sailor 2022)

Conor Staunton

McDonald Trophy (The most helpful Junior during the summer courses)

James Walsh

A stand-alone award this year was the Rickard Cup which was awarded to two instructors in recognition of their selfless act of bravery in reacting to an incident over the summer. The two sailors demonstrated qualities that we would all hope to have and live by. We are so proud to have these sailors on our NYC team of instructors; their actions were truly heroic.

Rickard Cup for Bravery

Hal Fitzgerald and John Duffy

Special recognition also to

Jack Hall and Nicola Ferguson

These were a group of instructors whose actions demonstrated maturity beyond their years

A windy winter weekend at Dun Laoghaire Harbour led to the cancellation of some sailing events, including the third round of the DMYC's dinghy Frostbites Series. If some of the National Yacht Club training activities were cancelled or postponed due to the heavy forecast in store, the more experienced sailors completed their sessions and enjoyed some fast sailing despite cold hands and feet.

Elliott Match Racing

Saturday's forecast was slow enough to materialise, allowing great match racing practice on the Elliotts. Two boats were set, and crews were working hard on the East side of the harbour to deliver the perfect "crush" off the start.

Optimist club squad

The Optimist club squad headed out to enjoy the waves and practice their downwind techniques. The skiffs (49erFX and 29ers) followed them out for a solid session in the Bay.

Coach James Delaney had also two great sessions with the adult single-handers and the juniors ILCA4 and six sailors, keeping him busy for the full day.

Sunday morning, the wind had gone west and got somewhat stronger (DBSC Turkey shoot racers recorded gusts above 30 kts).

Many planned sessions were cancelled or reverted to shore-based workshops.

29ers

The Performance 29ers ventured out for a two-hour session in big breeze. It was fast and furious with heart rate staying high, gybes never fully safe and certainly pushing speed polars to their edges.
Two gold fleet optimist sailors completed a solid session in the afternoon with coach Nicola Ferguson working on their big breeze techniques.

Big breeze gybing technique in a 29er skiff at Dun Laoghaire Harbour

Dun Laoghaire harbour is a great place in marginal conditions with enough space within the safety of the walls and close to recovery slips.

29er skiff at Dun Laoghaire Harbour

The NYC club programmes are now well underway, and sailors have their eyes set on the next objectives already.