The final stop on the Optimist dinghy calendar found this intrepid bunch of sailors and their families back in Malahide Yacht Club for the IODAI National Training Week 27-30th October sponsored by CH Marine, the Grand Hotel and Dinghy Performance.
Ninety-five competitors were led by Head Coach Soren Laugesen (Denmark) and Senior Coach David Harte, along with the top national coaches.
This was a week that had something for everyone; big breeze on the Wednesday, light winds on Thursday, information sessions for class captains and parents on Friday and of course, the Halloween Regatta on Saturday. Not to mention the appearance of Olympic hero Annalise Murphy, who came to debrief the youngest of the fleet when they returned to shore and field all their many and varied questions. Trying to explain transits to eight-year-olds and why the trees don't actually need to be in the sea would test anyone's resilience but she rose to the challenge. Her presence was a huge lift to the sailors who hung on her every word.
The Optimists are briefed ashore at Malahide
The training week also saw the U12 and Development squads announced and selected sailors were able to train together as a group during the event. They will train and compete together throughout the 2022 season.
Onshore there was a dinner held in the Grand Hotel with fun and games organised for younger sailors while parents got to catch up. Class captains from all around the country met, exchanged ideas and Alex Walsh and Brendan Foley of IODAI presented the strategy for the development of the class for 2022.
The Halloween Regatta, which took place on the Saturday and also incorporated the Crosbie Cup saw OOD Neil Murphy run the main fleet off one start, getting through four races in a consistent breeze. The regatta is a precursor to Trails next year, allowing sailors from both the senior and junior fleets to compete against one another.
Optimists competing at the Broadmeadow in Malahide
William Walsh (NYC), for whom this was his last regatta, comprehensively led the way and took first place overall and first in Senior Main, closely followed by Oisin Pierse (RCYC) and Harry Dunne (HYC). The Junior Fleet saw two local sailors continue their close rivalry, Juliet Ryan (MYC) took first place, this time, with Conor Cronin (MYC) in second and Lucy Moynan (RCYC) in third. Ben Keating (HYC) finished in first place in the Junior Silver Fleet taking home with him the Crosbie Cup too.
Former MYC Commodore, Graham Smith took charge of the Regatta Fleet for the second time this year. As a number of sailors had progressed through the fleet during the season, there were lots of new faces and strong showings from
Hugo Breen (LRYC), James Crawford (RSt.George Yacht Club), Aurele Dion (NYC), Charlie McKibben (MBSC) and Alex Butcher (MYC) finished first to fifth accordingly
It was a fitting end to the year, cementing many friendships in the Oppie family as well as showcasing the sailors abilities and results of their hard work throughout the year.
