The fifth Women at the Helm Regatta took place at the National Yacht Club over the weekend of 12–14 June, bringing together female sailors from across the country for a weekend of racing, learning and camaraderie both on and off the water.
Held in conjunction with the National Yacht Club Regatta, the event once again demonstrated the growing strength and depth of women's participation in Irish sailing. More than 60 women took the helm across a wide variety of classes, from cruiser-racers and J80s to Flying Fifteens and Water Wags.
Organised by Ann Kirwan and her dedicated volunteer team, the regatta began on Friday evening with an inspiring speaker event featuring sports psychologist Kate Kirby alongside offshore sailors Gráinne Costigan and Pamela Lee, who shared their experiences of competing at the highest levels of the sport. Their stories provided a fitting start to a weekend focused on encouraging and celebrating women in sailing.
Racing across the weekend delivered a variety of conditions, with Saturday providing moderate to fresh breezes before lighter easterly winds and sunshine arrived on Sunday. Competitors travelled from a number of clubs, highlighting the growing reach of the event and the enthusiasm for female-led sailing opportunities nationwide.
The overall Woman at the Helm Trophy was awarded to Sarah Cooney, helming the J80 Joyride, while the Roy Family Trophy for the leading three-boat team was won by the combination of Clare Gorman aboard Sea Jade, Jean O'Driscoll aboard Oola and Ann Kirwan aboard her Ruffian 23.
Irish Sailing congratulates the National Yacht Club, the organising committee, volunteers and competitors for delivering another outstanding Women at the Helm Regatta. Events such as this continue to create valuable opportunities for women to develop skills, build confidence, form connections and take leadership roles within our sport.
The continued growth of the regatta is a positive reflection of the progress being made in creating a more inclusive and diverse sailing community throughout Ireland.