Choosing Your Route and Making Way

Here at Irish Sailing we’re keen to promote the different routes people take into and through our sports. There are so many ways and experiences, and no linear approach.

To hear more, we’d like to invite you to join us on Friday night (26^th August) of the Sia Partners Irish Sailing Women at the Helm at the National Yacht Club for an evening in the company of five incredible female sailors to share some of the highlights of their sailing journeys so far, the hurdles they faced, the support they welcomed and the goals they have set.

• Friday 26 August

• National Yacht Club

• Delicious Buffet Dinner served @ 18:30 / 19:00

  • With a variety of scrumptious mains and side dishes to choose from, followed by a trio of desserts, coffee & tea €28 payable by tap or cash on the night

• "Choosing Your Route" Talk 20:00

• Book a your place directly with National Yacht Club on manager@nyc.ie 

  • space is limited, we strongly advise you book

  • talk free, pay for supper on the night

We welcome Joan Mulloy representing Offshore Sailing and her Vendée Globe goal, Laura Dillon sharing an insight to her Inshore Sailing experience, Diana Kissane with Team Racing, Christine Heath on Cruising Adventures and Irish Sailing Mentee Carla Fagan sharing her experience on the Women in Sailing Menteeship with Pamela Lee.

Professional Offshore Sailor and Irish Sailing Women in Sailing Mentor, Pamela Lee shared her insight into the routes we choose in a recent article that inspired this evening’s talk and we are excited to bring these incredible women together for a relaxed ‘fireside’ talk with you. Open 'questions & answers' will be encouraged, so it is a great opportunity for you to get an insight into the routes they are taking and gain some top tips and tactics for your own journey.

This night is about sharing, supporting and mentoring eachother as we prepare for a weekend of great sailing and social together.

www.sailing.ie/womenatthehelm

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Find out more about these inspiring sailors …

Joan Mulloy… Professional solo offshore sailor, engineer and new mother 

Joan was the first Irish woman to represent Ireland in the high-profile international Solitaire Le Figaro race. Her ultimate ambition is to be the first Irish person to complete the Vendée Globe, a solo round-the-world race known as “The Everest of the Seas”. Joan is currently on a career break as a new mother of two and is keeping up with fitness training in the hills of Mayo and the waters of Killary Bay. 

Diana Kissane … team racing sailor, keelboat sailor, part of Sovereign’s Cup winning team 2021

Diana grew up sailing in Sutton Dinghy Club and Howth Yacht Club where she progressed through IS one design pathway classes. Diana attended Trinity College Dublin where she was sailing captain of DUSC and throughout college campaigned in the 470 class competing at u23 world and European championships, IUSA team racing championships and competed in the Women’s International Match racing series, including skippering at the Women’s match racing world championships. Most recently Diana has crewed at Etchells and SB20 world and European championships.

Laura Dillon

Laura Dillon began sailing in the early 1980s on her parents GK24. She then progressed to optimists, participating in 3 world and 3 European Championships, winning a silver medal at the Optimist Worlds in Argentina, 1992. Laura then progressed to 420s and laser 2s, winning a bronze medal at the youth world championships in 1996 with Ciara Peelo and later that year winning the Irish Helmsman’s Championship with John Gilmore. Laura then progressed to Olympic campaigning in the 470, yngling and match racing classes, before deciding to move to London in 2001 and focus on her business career. Laura now races one design keelboats and yachts, including helming an S&S41, Winsome, with a Dutch team for the past decade. Laura is passionate about promoting sailing and ensuring that many others can enjoy the lifelong passion that she has enjoyed being on the water, competing, friendships, travels abroad and a true lifelong sport. Laura is an Overseas Rear Commodore at the RORC and very keen to encourage more participation at all levels of our sport. 

Christine Heath … Racing sailor and cruising skipper 

Christine’s latest adventure in her Shipman 28 was a 5,000 mile odyssey from Dun Laoghaire to the Baltic via Holland, then back across the North Sea, down the west coast of Ireland, and back to Dun Laoghaire. During a lifetime of cruising Christine has skippered a circumnavigation of Iceland, and has spent nine weeks cruising the Arctic. Christine also races her Shipman 28 in Dublin Bay and has been National Champion four times.

Clara Fagan … Dinghy and keelboat sailor, keen to experience a broad range of sailing opportunities

Carla Fagan is bursting with enthusiasm for sailing and wants to expand her horizons. Carla is a keen bowman and regularly sets sail out of Howth and is currently enjoying Laser training out of Dun Laoghaire. She has been bowman on 'Soufriere', the James Bond Spirit 54, competed in the Scottish Series, Watch Leader on Asgard II and many other adventures. Clara recently sailed a squib for the first time and won the Silver Fleet at the Squib Easterns at Howth Yacht Club.

Pamela Lee … Professional Offshore sailor. 

Pam lives and works in France, with her latest roles as Co. Skipper and boat captain of  ‘Influence’ Class40 campaign and on ‘Team Technique’ for the Primonial Ocean50.

Pam started her career with years on the international circuit, from IRC Sydney-Hobarts, to TP52s and professional skippering. In 2019, frustrated with hitting a series of glass ceilings, she made a name for herself by setting 3 Around Ireland World Records. Her most recent accolades include 2nd overall in the Around Italy Race and 1st in Class, 3rd line honours in the Round Ireland Race.

Pam’s objective is to build her own international Class40 campaign. She envisages using her project to create industry and offshore opportunities and to continue breaking down barriers and stereotypes within the discipline of offshore sailing whenever possible.