Final Races to Decide Youth Sailing Titles on Dublin Bay

7th April 2018

Topper dinghies reach a weather mark in the first day of racing for the class at the Irish Sailing Youth Pathway National Championships Credit: Afloat.ie

After a fickle day three of the Volvo Youth National Sailing Championships, dinghy class leaders clung to the top of their respective scoresheets but only just.

Organisers were also breathing a sigh of relief after completing the minimum race requirements for the championships in three classes as tricky light southerly winds and fog on Dublin Bay threatened the 2018 schedule.

Following Thursday's heavy air start then Friday’s cancellation of racing due to near gale force winds, the third day offered completely different challenges.

Against the odds, race officials did well to complete a number of races on three separate Bay courses.

Although the race management teams planned an early start to the day, early morning fog was slow to clear but left a moderate breeze in its place. This gave way to near calm conditions by lunchtime followed by a return of sea fog with competitor boats gathered close to their committee boats before racing resumed in the mid-afternoon.

Three more classes joined the championships today in what turned out to be a six-hour day afloat, bringing the turnout to 196 boats and 213 competitors.

The Irish Sailing event is being co-hosted by the National YC and Royal St. George YC.

Optimists postponed 2064 Optimist dinghies line up for a start that is then postponed

In the Optimist trials event, Justin Lucas of the Royal Cork Yacht Club saw his lead pared back a little by national champion Rian Geraghty-McDonnell of the National Yacht Club in second place but still has a comfortable seven-point lead.

Laser postponed 1959 Overall leader Jamie McMahon (213000) among a fleet of 34 Laser Radials waiting for racing to resume at the Committee Boat in Scotsman's Bay

After two straight wins on Thursday in the Laser Radial class, Howth Yacht Club’s Jamie McMahon also retains the overall lead of his class but with unrelenting pressure from Peter Fagan of the Royal St. George Yacht Club just two points behind.

420 Ferguson v McGovern 1992 Overall 420 leaders Nicola Ferguson and Fiona Ferguson (56032) of the National Yacht Club neck and neck with fourth overall Grace O'Beirne and Kathy Kelly of the Royal St George Yacht Club in the beat to the finish of race five Photo: Afloat.ie

Nicola Ferguson and Fiona Ferguson of the National Yacht Club and Gemma McDowell with Emma Gallagher of Malahide Yacht Club are on the same eight points of the 420 class proving their abilities across the wind range over the two days.

Meanwhile, of the three classes that joined the event today, Alana Coakley of the Royal St George Yacht Club leads the Laser 4.7 fleet, David Jones of the Royal Cork Yacht Club leads the Topper 5.3 class while Christian Houlihan of Blessington Sailing Club leads the Topper 4.2 class.

Sunday’s final day is scheduled to again have an early start with Warning Signals on all courses planned for 1000 hrs and up to four races – weather permitting.

youth Nationals postpone

See overall results here

Published in ISA

Tagged under

youth sailing

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Irish Sailing

The Irish Sailing Association, also known as Irish Sailing, is the national governing body for sailing, powerboating and windsurfing in Ireland.

Founded in 1945 as the Irish Dinghy Racing Association, it became the Irish Yachting Association in 1964 and the Irish Sailing Association in 1992.

Irish Sailing is a Member National Authority (MNA) of World Sailing and a member of the Olympic Federation of Ireland.

The Association is governed by a volunteer board, elected by the member clubs. Policy Groups provide the link with members and stakeholders while advising the Board on specialist areas. There is a professional administration and performance staff, based at the headquarters in Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin.

Core functions include the regulation of sailing education, administering racing and selection of Irish sailors for international competition. It is the body recognised by the Olympic Federation of Ireland for nominating Irish qualified sailors to be considered for selection to represent Ireland at the Olympic Games. Irish sailors have medalled twice at the Olympics – David Wilkins and Jamie Wikinson at the 1980 games, and Annalise Murphy at the 2016 games.

The Association, through its network of clubs and centres, offers curriculum-based training in the various sailing, windsurfing and powerboating disciplines. Irish Sailing qualifications are recognised by Irish and European Authorities. Most prominent of these are the Yachtmaster and the International Certificate of Competency.

It runs the annual All-Ireland Championships (formerly the Helmsman’s Championship) for senior and junior sailors.

The Association has been led by leading lights in the sailing and business communities. These include Douglas Heard, Clayton Love Junior, John Burke and Robert Dix.

Close to 100 sailors have represented Ireland at the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Membership of Irish Sailing is either by direct application or through membership of an affiliated organisation. The annual membership fee ranges from €75 for families, down to €20 for Seniors and Juniors.