Silver Medal in 117-boat fleet for GP 14 Worlds in England at beginning of August, then new Irish GP 14 National Champion at Sligo (crewed by wife Jane) later in same month. Ross was formerly a professional sailor as a sailmaker. But he escaped the marine industry grind at least two years ago, and is now properly Corinthian and looking forward to a place in the All-Irelands on Lough Ree in October.

As we learned in 2001 when the Mirror Worlds were staged in Ireland, although Peter Bayly of Lough Derg may have won that time round, the strongest national challenge was by the Australians. They've developed what was originally envisaged as a useful general purpose family sailing dinghy into a very potent racing machine.

Thus it was quite an achievement for the 25-year-old Kearney to win in the Oz home waters. But for the Cultra sailor it was extra special, as he is the first Mirror helmsman to win the worlds twice, having taken the title back in 2005, racing in Sweden.

The Mirror being a small boat, an athlete like Ross Kearney has to select his crew from junior sailors. In 2005 it was young Adam McCullough, this time round it was Max Odell, and he and his skipper showed their serious intent towards the Worlds with a very clear win in the Mirror Europeans in Sligo last September.

On the strength of his proven record in the class, Kearney works as a sailmaker and designer with leading English firm Pinner & Bax. They're based in Northampton, about as far from the sea as it's possible to be in England, and a bit of a culture shock for a young sailor who is accustomed to getting his sea sailing just yards from home. But with a second world title now logged, we can expect to see more of Ross Kearney on the sea, and on bigger boats than a Mirror dinghy.

Kearney wins Mirror Title Story HERE.

Irish sailor Ross Kearney came out tops in the 2011 Mirror World Championships in Western Australia last week.

After a bad start that included a capsize in 20-knot winds on the opening day, Kearney and crewmate Max Odell climed ahead of the 61-boat fleet to finish with 38.6 - streets ahead of their nearest rivals in the five-day contest, which was sailed in a variety of conditions.

It's the second win in the Mirror Dinghy Worlds for Belfast Lough's Kearney, who previously took the title in Sweden in 2008 with Adam McCullough.

Kearney named January Sailor of the Month HERE

After a solid performance in testing conditions Ross Kearney and Max Odell have won the Mirror World Championships in Albany, Australia today. The Royal North of Ireland pair finished the series with two good races on the final day to lead the 61-boat fleet after 15 races sailed. 

For the final rounds the winds blew 18-22 with gusts to 28 knots for both races - Kearney had a third in the first race this morning, followed by another third and then a second to clinch the series.

The results is so far provisional and subject to confirmation. Overall score sheet available for download below.

Last August, in Sligo, the Belfast Lough duo picked up the European title.

The prizegiving ceremony is underway in Albany now at 8pm Australian time and there will be more updates later on the win for Ireland.

It is not the first time Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club is celebrating a world championship homecoming tonight because Kearney won it previously in Sweden in 2005 aged 19. He was crewed then by Adam McCullough (11) when they lifted the world title at Östersund.

Today is Ireland's fifth win of the regatta that is open to all but is predominantly contested by youth crews.

The Belfast youth's follow in the footsteps of club mates Chris Clayton and Craig Martin who won the championship in Australia in 2003 previous to that Ireland won the biennial fixture in South Africa in 1999 and also when it was hosted in Howth in 2001.

Ross Kearney and Max Odell survive a luff in 20 plus knots ! Photo: Rob Cruse. More photos from Rob HERE.

Kearney named January Sailor of the Month HERE

Ross Kearney and Max Odell lie sixth overall after seven races at the Mirror World Championships in Albany, Australia. The Belfast sailors, who won the European Championships when they were held in Sligo last Summer, are up against strong competition from a strong Aussie squad. 

Day 1 saw the dominant Aussie National winner, Paul Taylor, leading (6 points) ahead of the Pilipino crew of Balladares & Chavez (7 points) but a British crew, Millie Newman and Jessica Rust, are leading after six races. More HERE.

Racing was cancelled on the final day of the Mirror European Championships in Sligo yesterday so Thursday's overall result stood and the European trophy came home to Ireland. Ross Kearney and Max Odell from Belfast Lough were crowned European Champions 2010 after a series they led from start to finish. There was celebrations too in Rosses point for local pairing Beth and Shauna Armstrong who finished second in the 73-boat fleet. Results attached below.

Ross Kearney and Max Odell from Belfast Lough were crowned Mirror European Champions on Belfast Lough yesterday. Photo: Gareth Craig. More photos on the gallery HERE

Royal North's Ross Kearney and Max Odell have a streak of wins after seven races in the Mirror European championships in Sligo this week. The Belfast Lough pairing count 3,1,1,1,3,1,1, to be some 32 nett point ahead of Lough Derg's Alfie Wisdom and Sam Warren. 73 boats are competing. The event runs until tomorrow.

The 73-boat fleet prepares to launch at Rosses Point in Sligo. Photo: Gareth Craig. More on the Afloat gallery HERE.

International Mirror Class Association European Championship 2010
1st Gold Ross Kearney Max Odell 11-311131182nd Gold Alfie Wisdom Sam Warren 7-3794316177403rd Gold Nigel Thomas Rob Thomas -19410854106041