Surfing the wave of this summer's world championships held in Sligo, the Mirror dinghy class saw their biggest turnout of the national season for their final event on Blessington Lakes.
17 boats travelled to join the three local entries. With four boats, Mullingar Sailing Club had the largest entry. Other clubs represented were Sligo YC, the National YC, The Royal St George YC, Malahide YC, Lough Ree Yacht Club, Lough Derg YC, Tralee Bay SC and Blessington Lake SC.
A few early arrivals were spotted on the lake on Thursday and Friday, scoring a few hours of training in the sunshine under the guidance of coach Thomas Chaix (running the sessions from his own Mirror)
And then the "Irish Summer" reminded all "after the sun comes the rain"!
Showers, drizzle and the occasional ray of sunshine were on the menu of the event. The wind was typical of good lake sailing, with shifts gusts keeping all on their toes. Our race officer Michael Conway's calm and relaxed approach (from an outside eye, anyway) certainly delivered. 4 races were completed on Saturday, and a further 2 delivered a full series for the weekend.
The first race delivered a mano a mano between triple Olympian Ger Owens and his daughter Robyn on Mary Belle and Thomas Chaix and his daughter Alayna on his gaffed rigged Renaissance. Eventually, Ger's superior speed upwind delivered the first race win of the event. The two young crew had completed their first race in a sailboat and were all smiles. A little further back, Jessica Greer and Myrtle Bamber from Sligo kept the chasing pack in their wake for the third position.
In the second race, Ger ran away to the front, leaving Thomas to fend off Jessica's attempts to overtake. The same top three eventually materialised. The first Silver boat Lucas Flynn took 4th on the line a little further back.
In the third race, everything was very tight at the first windward, and a bad gybe by both Ger and Thomas allowed Jessica to squeeze ahead and Juliet Ryan and Ella Rock to put pressure on "the dads". The second beat delivered a great battle in the shifts. Ger's pointing ability eventually got him back to the front, with Jessica hanging on right behind. Thomas ended up in a close battle with Caroline Coulter and her daughter Lucy just about edging her out for 3rd.
The final race of the day had a bit of drama on the startline with a few incidents at the starboard end (favoured) eliminating Thomas from the front. Ger worked his way to the top chased by Jessica and Caroline. He was not to be caught and secured a clean sheet. The battle for the Silver fleet top spot was well on with Lucas Flynn and Freddie Nelson (5th) just about ahead of Juliet and Ella (6th). Finn Foley and Ollie Ryan (8th overnight), and a small lead for the bronze prize.
The usual warm welcome from the Blessington Lake SC volunteers and the BBQ made us all forget about the rain, and it was tired but happy sailors enjoying burgers and the salads prepared by the club members.
Race 5 started in a drizzling westerly. Jessica Greer secured the perfect start at the starboard end and took an early lead with Caroline and Ger hot on her tail. The 3 of them were working the shifts well, stretching with the rest of the fleet. Thomas eventually reattached with the ladies whilst Ger pulled away once more with a commanding lead, securing the event with a race to spare. Thomas managed to overtake Both Jessica and Caroline to take 2nd.
Aurele and Ben, the youngest partnership at the Mirror Eastern Championships in hiking mode
Race 6 saw a change of helm and crew on Mary Belle, with Brendan Foley not resisting at the idea at a return to the Mirror after 30 years... To the delight of his daughter Megan. A big left shift materialised 30 seconds from the start, with the fleet rushing (speak in 5-6 kts) towards the pin. Jessica was a bit early and was recalled. Her prompt reaction was enough to keep her in the game as when the fleet eventually all tacked onto the long tack, it was Thomas to windward, Finn Foley and Ollie Ryan just to leeward of him and Jessica just a bit further back. The 3 rounded the first windward in that order, and even though the young lads (13 and 10) managed to take a short-lived lead on the second lap, Thomas managed to secure the last race of the event to the delight of 6-year-old Alayna.
Overall, Ger Owen and his Daughter Robyn secured a well-deserved win, having dominated the event. Gaffed rigged Thomas Chaix and daughter Alayna took second, and the podium was completed by Jessica Greer and Myrtle Bamber who were also recipients of the U19 trophy.
Ger and Robyn Owens - Mirror Easterns 2023 champions
The Silver fleet was won by Locals Lucas Flynn and Freddies Nelson (5th overall) ahead of Juliet Ryan and Ella Rock (7th). The silver podium was completed by Fred Dick and Ollie Cains (12th), also from Blessington.
The Bronze fleet was dominated by Finn Foley and crew Ollie Ryan (6th). The "Topper squad kids" Leo O'Doherty and Siun Ni Coistealbha (9th) just about managed to keep the youngest partnership of the event 9-year-old Aurele Dion and 8-year-old crew Ben Chaix (10th) behind.
Lucas Flynn and Freddie Nelson sailing their Mirror at Blessington Sailing Club
Seasoned sailors, new faces, adults, teenagers, kids, new boats, old boats... The Mirror class competitiveness is growing, numbers are growing and 2024 is already in everyone's mind to carry on the fun, the great atmosphere and outstanding racing in a friendly environment.
Mirror Eastern Championships results 2023
