Maurice O'Connell
Maurice 'Prof' O'Connell is a partner in North Sails Ireland. He is also a professional sailor, sailing & life/business coach and sailing media analyst/commentator.
In 2018 he again won his class in the Round Ireland Race and in 2019 finished 2nd in the Dun Laoghaire to Dingle Race - 10 years after he won it!
Also in 2019, he was providing expert commentary and analysis in studio for the SSL Star Europeans in Garda, Italy and SSL finals in Nassau.
Full bio here.
Good Evening (or good morning!) sailors, The first skirmishes in the Prada Cup finals are upon us and here at North Sails Ireland, we are watching with bated breath! The protagonists are INEOS team UK skippered by...ahem.....2001 1720 European Champion…
Greetings and a belated happy new year everybody from the team here at North Sails Ireland. Sailors all over the world are GLUED to two events right now - the Vendee Globe competitors hammering up from the south Atlantic and…
A Happy New Year everyone from all of us here in North Sails Ireland! Fingers crossed that the next few months will see a brighter future for us all and our sport that we love. Here at North Sails we…
Season's greetings everyone! The "trickle-down" effect is well known in other industries, and sailmaking is no different. Just before Christmas, North Sails Ireland attended our North Technology Group global virtual conference for our team members and affiliates around the world.…
Andrew Craig's J109 "Chimaera" Powered by North Sails 3Di & A GRADE Contender Spinnakers
11th December 2020 North Sails Ireland
Andrew Craig had been a leading competitor in the Dragon class in for many years. As well as competing in the championship circuit in Ireland, "Chimaera" has represented Ireland overseas at many European and World Championship events. It was in…
Greeting sailors from North Sails Ireland. It's too early to say "seasons greetings" but we're not far off it! Much has been written about 2020 to date. So let's add to it by reflecting on and acknowledging the wonderful achievements…
North Sails Power the Top 3 J109's at Landsail Tyres J-Cup in Cowes - Prof's Report
10th September 2020 North Sails Ireland
The UK J109 class ran their UK Nationals at the Landsail Tyres J-Cup in Cowes last weekend. Here in North Sails Ireland, we watched this event closely because NSI led the charge in the UK & Ireland J109 sail development…
There was more success for Paul O'Higgins' ICRA Boat of the Year Rockabill VI on Dublin Bay tonight, winning Thursday's DBSC race in a brisk northerly wind. I joined the JPK10.80 crew as the North Sails Ireland representative for the…
North Sails Client Successes in the Fastnet 450 Race - Prof's Report!
26th August 2020 North Sails Ireland
Whew! I am just back at base in Dun Laoghaire after the gruelling Fastnet 450 race. Having raced down the East coast, around the Tuskar Rock and the Fastnet Rock many many times, I think this one may have been…
Our 2020 "Trade In Trade Up" recycle programme is here at North Sails Ireland! This is a great opportunity for sailors and boat owners to recycle that older sail that's done its time. Many of you have sheds and garages…
Prof O'Connell of North Sails Ireland to Host Melges 24 'Downwind Speed' Webinar with World Champion Federico Michetti
10th May 2020 North Sails Ireland
I am honoured to host a North Sails Ireland 'downwind speed' webinar on Monday, May 11th at 8 pm (9 pm CET) with Five-time Melges 24 World Champion Federico Michetti. We will be discussing:- Displacement (non-planing) sailing Transitioning to "Bow…
Prof O'Connell to Host North Sails Melges 24 "Upwind Sail Trim" Webinar Tonight!
27th April 2020 North Sails Ireland
Our North Sails Melges 24 "Upwind Sail Trim" webinar will be on tonight, Monday, April at 8 pm. I am really looking forward to re-connecting with this great class and it also gave me a misty-eyed reason to review these…
Here at North Sails Ireland, we are delighted to see our offshore racing community responding proactively to the Cv19 pandemic. The Round Ireland race that's been rescheduled to Aug 22nd will be a highlight in the calendar! Fingers crossed that…
Here at North Sails Ireland, a large portion of our customer base is made up of a wide range of cruising sailors writes Maurice O'Connell. They range from blue-water sailors who have circumnavigated the globe to coastal sailors who undertake…
Our North Sails Moth webinar last week was a great success with "Mothies" from all over the world tuning in - including Irish Moth sailors from around the country! The upcoming North Sails Webinar schedule can be found here We'd…
North Sails Moth Masterclass From Rob Greenhalgh & Tom Slingsby (Worth Watching, No Matter What Boat You Sail!)
24th March 2020 North Sails Ireland
Tom Slingsby has won Olympic gold and numerous world titles in the Laser class. He has won the America's Cup as strategist with Team Oracle USA. Last December, he flew his North Sails 3Di mainsail in a never seen before…
Greetings to all our North Sails Ireland sailing friends at home here in Ireland and around the world. All of us are passionate about sailing and we can keep a calm head afloat when things get serious. Please join us…
It was fantastic to see "Ichi Ban" win IRC overall in the Sydney Hobart race last week writes Maurice O'Connell. I raced this iconic race some years back on the IMX 40 "Nips 'n Tux" and it is a true classic…
2019 was another fantastic year for North Sails Ireland. Our clients seem to be going faster and faster - for longer writes Maurice O'Connell. Many of you are winning events with our sails that have seen many many seasons use…
North Sails Ireland "Getting Better & Better" at the J109 Nationals
8th October 2019 North Sails Ireland
"North Sails have been powering "Joker II" since 2007. They just keep getting better and better and I have no doubt their latest 3Di Raw headsails have been a big factor in our success this year in the ICRA's, Volvo Dun…
