The finale of the waterfront's 2022 regatta season at Dun Laoghaire Harbour was presented on Saturday by the Royal St. George Yacht Club with its biennial Frank Keane BMW Regatta.

Approximately 150 boats across 30 separate racing divisions competed in the two-race programme, even though the IRC cruiser programme was cut short by a lack of wind in the afternoon.

The Frank Keane BMW George Regatta brought to a close the regattas for 2022 at Dun Laoghaire, which began on June 12 with the DMYC Regatta and was followed a week later by the Davy NYC Regatta.

Some of the sponsor's car ranges are displayed outside the Royal St. George Yacht Club on regatta day Photo: Afloat

After the disappointment of the blowout of last weekend's (June 25) RIYC Regatta, the Royal St George big event on Saturday, July 2, was much anticipated on Dublin Bay.

And bathed in July sunshine – and avoiding some of the heavy showers that hit other parts of Dublin – the country's biggest yacht club did not disappoint afloat or ashore.

A packed onshore programme gave a great day of fabulous food, family entertainment, and the excitement of racing on the water.

The Royal St. George Yacht Club on regatta day - July 2 2022 Photo: Afloat

Among the racing divisions out on Dublin Bay, the typical fleet size numbered about seven boats, but there were exceptions, with Cruisers IRC One boasting 14 and the Flying Fifteen One Designs making 11.

As per the forecast, light westerly winds with plenty of shifts off the land presented many opportunities on the race courses in the northwest and north Bay areas.

The first race for the cruisers divisions had two and a half hours, and with it, plenty of change was on the leaderboard, especially as the wind got very light in the approach to the top mark. 

Nicely positioned marks gave the boats some powered-up, tight-reaching legs with plenty of gusts under the darker clouds.

Cruisers Zero

Royal Irish JPK10.80 Rockabill VI (Paul O'Higgins) had a new challenger in the seven-boat Cruisers IRC Zero division.

Cruisers Zero winner - the JPK10.80 Rockabill VI (Paul O'Higgins)

Early leader on the water in IRC Zero - Jonathan Nicholson's El Pocko is a  2004 41-footer yacht, a German Frers Puma 42 Photo: Afloat

Dan O'Grady's brand new Cape 31 Aja from Howth made her debut but could not match the pace of the French design in the patchy conditions and finished second.

Dan O'Grady's brand new Cape 31 Aja from Howth took second in IRC Zero Photo: Afloat

Third was National Yacht Club regatta winner a fortnight ago, Pete Smyth's Sunfast 3600, Searcher. 

Pete Smyth's Sunfast 3600, Searcher from the National Yacht club, was third Photo: Afloat

Cruisers One

IRC One winner - Colin Byrne's XP33 Bon Exemple Photo: Afloat

Colin Byrne's XP33 Bon Exemple was the winner of the 14-boat Cruisers One IRC fleet; the RIYC skipper beat Tony Fox's A35 Gringo from the National Yacht Club. 

A great fleet of ten J109s raced as part of a 14-boat IRC One division Photo: Afloat

Third was Tim Goodbody's White Mischief, the first of ten J109s competing.

Second in IRC One - Tony Fox's A35 Gringo from the National Yacht Club Photo: Afloat

Third was Tim Goodbody's J109 White Mischief Photo: Afloat

Cruisers Two 

Norbert Reilly's new Half Tonner Ghost Raider (ex-Checkmate) from Howth Yacht Club beat clubmate Jonathan Wormald, sailing No Excuse to take the Cruisers Two IRC crown.

Dick Lovegrove's Sigma 33 Rupert Photo: Afloat

Third, in the ten boat turnout was the Royal St. George's Dick Lovegrove sailing the Sigma 33 Rupert.

Howth Yacht Club X-Yacht, No Excuse Photo: Afloat

Cruisers Three

Royal Irish Quarter Tonner Cartoon (Sybil McCormack) topped the Cruisers Three division. Myles Kelly's Maranda was second and Frazer Meredith's Asterix third.

One Design Keelboats

The seven-boat Beneteau 211s was won by Peter Carroll's Yikes ahead of the Royal Irish's Pat Shannon in Beeswing. Third was a former national champion, James Conboy Fischer, in Billy Whizz.

Michael Blaney's Royal St George 'After You...' was the Beneteau 31.7 winner Photo: Afloat

Michael Blaney's After You... of the host club led the nine-boat Beneteau 31.7s. Second was Michael Bryson's Bluefin Two from the National Yacht Club. Eoin O'Driscoll's Kernach was third.

Ken Dumpleton's Flying Fifteen Rodriquez from the National Yacht Club took the win with a 2,1 scoreline in the 11-boat fleet. In second place was Adrian Cooper's Rockafellas with a 1,5 and third Niall Coleman with a 4,3.

Ger Dempsey's SB20 Venuesworld.com won on tie break Photo: Afloat

In a five-boat SB20 contest, Ger Dempsey's venuesworld.com finished with three points, as did James Gorman's Black, but the win was settled in Dempsey's favour using the tiebreak rule. Royal Irish Commodore Jerry Dowling was third, counting two third places.

Irish national Dragon champion, the Royal St. Geroge's Peter Bowring sailing Phantom counted a 2, 1 to be top of the four-boat fleet ahead of Denis Bergin's Legatum. Third was Ronan Murphy's Serafina.

Michael Cutliffe's Ruffian 23 Ruffles Photo: Afloat

Two wins from two races made Michael Cutliffe sailing Ruffles the winner of a seven-boat Ruffian 23 fleet beating Brendan Duffy in Carmen. Third was the national champion boat Bandit, entered by Brian Cullen.

Glen One Design keelboat racing on Dublin Bay Photo: Afloat

Ailbe Millerick's restored Glenluce was the winner of the seven-boat Glen One Design keelboat fleet. Second was Pterodactyl (David and Roddy McCaffrey). Brian Denham was third in Glendun.

In the seven-boat Shipman class, John and Neill Masterson's Curraglas won from David Freeman's Twocan. Fergus Mason's Viking took third. 

In the restored Dublin Bay 21s, Fionan de Barra's Estelle beat Tim Pearson sailing Garavogue.

Dinghies

With just six weeks to go for the world championships on Lough Derg, a seven-boat Fireball fleet contested the Royal St. George Regatta, and the club's own Louise Mc Kenna won overall, beating Frank Miller's Ballderdash on the tie break. Third was the current DBSC series leader Neil Colin in Elevation, counting two third places.

Royal St. George's Theo Lyttle was the winner of the eight-boat ILCA 7/Laser fleet from clubmate Ross O'Leary. Third was Sean Bowden. In the ten-boat ILCA 6/Radial division, Brendan Brendan won from 
Judy O'Beirne with  Mary Chambers in third.

The five-boat RS Aero class was won convincingly by Royal St. George's Brendan Foley sailing Minty with two firsts. Damien Dion was second in Apero. Third was Stephen Oram.

IDRA 14 dinghies took the top three places in the six-boat PY dinghy fleet. Pierre Long's Dart had two wins from Brian Murphy in Diane. Third was John Fitzgerald sailing Doody. 

The Water Wag Regatta race, held last Wednesday, was won by Cathy Mac Aleavey, as Afloat reported here.

2022 Frank Keane BMW Royal St. George Yacht Club Regatta Results

Wednesday night's regular Water Wag races also served as the fleet Frank Keane BMW George Regatta races at Dun Laoghaire Harbour. 

A 26-boat fleet sailed one light airs in-harbour Jubilee Cup race won by Wag number 45 Mariposa sailed by Cathy Mac Aleavey and Con Murphy of the National Yacht Club. 

In a tight finish (see vid below) Vincent Delany and Emma Webb of the Royal St. George Yacht Club in number 3 Pansy were second. The Royal Irish's Swift number 38 Guy and Jackie Kilroy finished third.

Water Wag number 1 Ethna finished fifth Brendan Briscoe

The RSTGYC prize winners were Mariposa (Div 1A), Mary Kate (Div 1B) Mike and Ian Magowan, Chloe (Div 2) Kate and Guy O’Leary.

As Afloat reported previously, after the disappointment of the blowout of last weekend’s (June 25) RIYC Regatta, this weekend’s Royal St George big event on Saturday 2 July is much anticipated on Dublin Bay.

The George Regatta brings to a close the annual waterfront regattas for 2022 at Dun Laoghaire, which began on 12 June with the DMYC Regatta and was followed a week later by the Davy NYC Regatta.

Online entry is still available for the event, which comes with an equally packed onshore programme that promises a great day of fabulous food and family entertainment along with the excitement of racing on the water.

Dun Laoghaire Harbour sailor Charlie Cullen grabbed a bronze podium position at the Waszp Italian Cup event last weekend just over a month after he finished eighth at the Waszp European Championships in Spain.

This bodes well for the 20-year-old sailor's campaign towards the Waszp Worlds that will be held in Lake Garda Italy this July.

The first stop for the 2021 U20 & Slalom European Champion was the Italian Cup event held last weekend in beautiful Circolo Vela Bellano on Lake Como. All the top Italian sailors met at the event, including 2022 Waszp European Champion Francesco Bertone, and top 10 finishers Enzio Savoini & Emanuele Savoini.

Day 1 of racing saw unusual conditions with a very gusty and shifty north breeze, making for exciting and tactical racing. Charlie told Afloat, “ I had to ensure that I stayed in the pressure and just sail my own race. If we didn’t get it right the boat would fall into no wind and fall off the foils”.

The young sailor stayed consistent and grabbed himself a bullet in race 2 after an exciting, tactical downwind battle with 2022 European Champion Francesco Bertone. After day one Charlie lay in third overall with Enzio Savoini in 1st and Francesco Bertone close second. Day two saw light winds with only one race being held.

“Delighted to finish third on the podium in a fleet of 33 boats after such tough conditions, it’s promising going forward this summer into the worlds and foiling week”, said Charlie.

There is a strong Irish contingent planning to compete at the Worlds this summer with the fleet expecting to reach nearly 200 boats.

Gonzaga College was crowned as the Schools National Team Racing Champions 2022 at the event hosted by the Royal St George Yacht Club at Dun Laoghaire Harbour.

Since the event's inception in 2004, it is the first occasion that a Leinster School has taken this much-sought trophy.

Captained by Trevor Bolger, the Gonzaga Team attained a 100% race win victory over their competitors.

The team showed a first-class mastery of team racing tactics as they controlled all their races.

Photo: Andrew Conan

On average, their winning positions were from the pre-start and by mark one were clear with a 1 and 2 position.

The third helm focused on covering their opponents, and from there on, the opposition was playing catch up.

The Gonzaga Team were Trevor Bolger Helm 1, Jacques Murphy Helm 2, Archie Daly Helm 3, and the crew were Ethan Hunt, Cathal O'Reagan and Jules Start.

13 Schools competed in the event, 6 Munster, 1 Connacht and 6 Leinster, which was an excellent turnout as the maximum number of qualifiers were 14.

Irish Schools National Team Racing Champions 2022 Results

There was another event included in the weekend championships, the Munster Provincial event, which did not take place this year for several reasons.

Munster Schools

Rochestown College was crowned the Munster Schools Team Racing Championships for 2022.

Running racing proved to be very challenging for Race Officer David Bolger as, at minimum the event had to complete 80% of the Round Robin, which was a schedule of 85 races, to achieve a result.  Congratulations to David on achieving this, as the wind was not playing ball with us over the two days.

Photo: Andrew Conan

Saturday started with the wind at 230 degrees at 6-8knots when racing commenced. The wind died entirely and swung to 130 degrees. Reset the course and swapped positions for start and finish boats. Later in the afternoon, the wind died again and reappeared at 250-270 degrees. This lost a minimum of 40 minutes of racing time. Max wind strength for the day was nine knots.

On Sunday, the course was set close to the Carlisle Pier with 250-260 degrees wind direction. On occasion, there were gusts of up to 12 knots, and the racing started at 9.42.

Photo: Andrew Conan

There was a significant wind shift in the middle of race 53, with the direction being 010. It was allowed to settle at 310-320. The course was repositioned around the committee boats in a new direction.

The wind continued to shift left and organisers continuously shifted the course accordingly.

After race 63, repositioned the course to the centre of the harbour with consistent 6-8 knots from 250 to 270 degrees.

Finally, at Race 73, the event hit the magic number of 80% when the wind died off.

Photo: Andrew Conan

No event takes place without the support and hard work of the volunteers. Organises say thank you to Team Leaders David Bolger Race Officer, Robbie Walker, P.R.O, Keith Start Beach Master/Changeover Coordinator and Lorraine O'Connor Results/Race Office, and their crew of volunteers, club members, and school representatives.

Photo: Andrew Conan

The S.S.A.I. would like to thank the following Royal St. George Yacht Club and Flag Officers for hosting the event, Ronan Adams, Sailing Manager, Karin Ryan, Sailing Secretary, Catering and Boat House staff.

Eunice Kennedy elected as Chairperson Schools Sailing Association of Ireland

The Schools Sailing Association of Ireland held their Annual General Meeting on Saturday evening (30th of April 2022), and Eunice Kennedy was elected as Chairperson. 

Schools National Team Racing Champions 2022 Photo Gallery by Andrew Clonan

Twelve Dun Laoghaire Harbour Laser/ILCA sailors competed last weekend at the XIV edition of the Spanish ILCA Masters, at picturesque Calella de Palafrugell on the Costa Brava coast.

Racing in nine ILCA 6’s (Radials) and three ILCA 7’s (Full rigs), the sailors came from RStGYC, NYC and the Coal Harbour.

Ireland was also represented on the water by our International Judge/Umpire Michael O’Connor, from Kinsale.

This is one of the most popular regattas on the popular EuroMasters circuit which attracts over 700 ILCA sailors to various wonderful venues each year. For this regatta, hosted by the hospitable Club Vela Calella, there were 64 ILCA 6s and 34 ILCA 7s.

(Above and below) The Spanish ILCA Masters at picturesque Calella de Palafrugell on the Costa Brava coast

Sailed in glorious sunshine throughout and very pleasant temperatures, the regatta began on Thursday, April 28 with an epic practice race in 15-20 knots, followed by Day 1 proper with 3 races in 10-14 knots but, by the weekend, competing weather systems left the venue windless and only one more race was possible on the Sunday. So Friday was key and, despite a very one-sided first beat, results were very up and down as starts were congested (especially with the 6’s) and finding lanes on the favoured port lay line was absolutely treacherous.

The Irish squad proved that the vibrant local Masters' scene means our sailors are very competitive and all acquitted themselves well. Off the water too, where the team represented the second-largest contingent after the hosts, among the 13 countries represented!

In the ILCA 6’s, Monica Azon claimed first overall for Spain, proving her pedigree as a dual Olympian from 2004 and 2008. She was pushed hard by Max Hunt (GBR), very well known for his specialist ILCA parts business. Next were Dutch and Mexican competitors (the latter preparing for the Master Worlds in Mexico in June) and the top 5 was rounded off by Sean Craig (RStGYC), a result which also gave him a podium 2nd in the 28-boat Grand Master category. The next best of the Irish was Judy O’Beirne in 28th overall (and 6th lady overall), followed by Sean Flanagan in 32nd, Shirley Gilmore in 34th and Michael Norman in 37th.

In the ILCA 7’s, the Spanish dominated, taking the top 6 overall and the great Jose Luis Doreste (470 Gold in 1984 Games and Flying Dutchman Gold in 1996 Games) didn’t actually make top three. Best of the Irish was Theo Lyttle in 17th overall who had the satisfaction of a win in the Practice race.

The Irish competitors were ; Alison Pigot (NYC), Ali Robinson (RStGYC), Judy O’Beirne (RStGYC), Shirley Gilmore (RStGYC), Michael Norman (Coal Harbour/Wicklow SC), Hugh Cahill (Coal Harbour/DBSC), Sean Flanagan (RStGYC), David Cahill (NYC), Sean Craig (RStGYC), Theo Lyttle (RStGYC), Conor O’Leary (RStGYC), Chris Arrowsmith (RStGYC)

The 2022 ILCA Master European Championships will take place not far up the coast from Calella de Palafrugell, in October, at L’Escala. A strong Irish team is expected to compete.

Results of the 2022 Spanish Masters are downloadable below

Saturday’s (April 9th) Lift-in of yachts and boats at Dun Laoghaire Harbour in perfect calm and sunny conditions marked the opening of the 2022 summer sailing season on Dublin Bay. 

In the harbour, the National Yacht Club and neighbouring Royal St. George YC lifted in approximately 30 sailing cruisers apiece using mobile cranes in the day-long operation. 

The boats had wintered ashore on hardstanding at the club premises.

After the weekend lift-in, the summer sailing season will commence on Dublin Bay with a 35-mile ISORA coastal race and the Dublin Bay Sailing Club summer season, starting on April 23rd.

The annual lift in of boats at the Royal St. George Yacht Club

At Ireland's biggest boating centre, the fine Spring weather and good sailing breezes have seen several yachts based at the town marina already back on the Dublin Bay race track.

Slalom and U20 European Waszp Champion Charlie Cullen of the Royal St. George Yacht Club finished third in his first event of the season held in Imperia Italy. The event run by Dry Laps and Yacht Club Imperia from March 11th to 13th had a small but strong contingent of sailors, four of whom, including Cullen, finished in the top ten at last year’s Europeans in Lake Garda.

The three days followed with tight and tricky racing, with Imperia delivering big waves and strong winds. “It was great racing, after 10 races the top 5 boats were within 1 point of each other going into the last race, so I couldn’t have asked for a better challenge to start off the season,” said the Dun Laoghaire Harbour sailor.

Ettore Botticini of Italy took first overall with Enzio Savoini taking second and Cullen (second from right) taking the final spot on the podium

The next stop on the international Waszp calendar is the European Championships in Mar Menor Spain from April 11th to 17th where over 80 boats are expected to compete.

When renewing their annual membership subscription, all the Royal St George Yacht Club members are given the opportunity to make a voluntary contribution to charitable causes. For 50 years up to and including 2020, the money raised was spent on hosting pensioners living alone and from nursing homes in the parish and nearby to an Annual Lunch held during the Christmas period.

Due to Covid, this has not been possible in 2021 and 2022. However, the members of the George have continued to give generously, and the Club’s charitable fund has grown in that time. Like many other sports clubs, the pandemic had a positive side effect in that their membership grew as people sought out ways to spend family time together in a healthy environment. Hence, the Royal St George’s membership grew by over 200 new members since 2020.

From left to right: Robert Fowler, Conor Hickey (Crosscare), Richard O’Connor and Alan Kirwan

Therefore, in consultation with the Trustees of the charitable fund Robert Fowler and Alan Kirwan, the Operational Board are delighted to donate €6,000 to charities active in Dun Laoghaire. Cheques of €2,000 each were presented on Saturday to St Vincent de Paul, Crosscare and The Lions Club at the Royal St George.

Garry (SVdP volunteer) with RSTGYC's Richard O’Connor 

Commodore Richard O’Connor, along with Alan and Robert, were there along with representatives of each of the charities for the handover. Speaking at the event, he said, “These charities all do tremendous work in our local community. It is a real privilege to represent the Members of our Club giving back to those in need of help here in Dun Laoghaire.”

The Royal St George members also donated €2,000 to the RNLI earlier this year.

Former Flying Fifteen British Isles and Irish Champion Gerry Donleavy who died last year is one of three members of the Dun Laoghaire Flying Fifteen class to be honoured at the 2021 FF15 Trophy Awards Dinner in Dun Laoghaire Harbour this Friday.

The Royal St. George Yacht Club hosted event will celebrate the season's achievements on the water but the class will also commemorate its former helmsmen Donleavy, Jack Roy and Ross Doyle who all died in 2021.

Rosemary Roy, Jack's wife and flagship partner and the Chairman of the Irish Flying Fifteen Association of Ireland, Hammy Baker are guests of the Dun Laoghaire class for the evening.

The occasion will also be the last official function of outgoing Dun Laoghaire Class Captain, Neil Colin of the DMYC.

The successful defence of the Irish National FF Championships by Dun Laoghaire's John Lavery and Alan Green on Strangford Lough last August that will be saluted again on Friday was also rewarded last weekend with the National Yacht Club's O’Leary Cup for the best performance of the year in one designs.

Martin Byrne’s Jaguar Dragon Sailing Team finished in sixth place overall at the Marblehead Trophy in Vilamoura, Portugal on Saturday.

The Royal St George team comprised Byrne, Adam Winkelmann and John Simms.

The small 12 boat but very competitive fleet was topped by European Champion Jens Christensen from Denmark who launched a brand new Dragon for this event and won by six points.

Recent Gold Cup winner and Vendee Globe competitor Pieter Heerema from the Netherlands was second with the holder of the Marblehead Trophy and current European Champion Pedro Andrade from Portugal in third.

Results are here