Colaiste Muire, Crosshaven sailors celebrate after winning the inaugural Munster Schools Fleet Racing Championships in ILCA dinghies at Crosshaven.
The Irish Schools Sailing Association (ISSA) has officially been established, evolving from the former Irish Schools Team Racing Association.
Chairman Elliot Connolly noted that the new body has “a strong committee and an exciting calendar” of events planned for the coming year.
The first Munster Schools Fleet Racing Championships in Crosshaven on 21st September opened the season. The event was organised in conjunction with the ILCA Summer Series team, led by Eddie Kingston of the Royal Cork Yacht Club.
Competing in ILCA dinghies (Lasers), sailors represented their respective schools in a sprint-format series of five races. The racing was overseen by race officer Tim McCarthy and his team.
Coláiste Muire, Crosshaven claimed the overall victory, becoming the first winners of the Munster Schools title. Scoring was based on the performances of up to four sailors per school.
Presenting the trophy, Connolly congratulated the Coláiste Muire crew, describing them as “a delighted team” and expressing his hope that even more schools will take part in next year’s championships.
The ISSA’s next event is a team racing clinic at Lough Derg on 4–5 October.