60 Women Helms for 200 Sailors
The Sia Partners Irish Sailing Women at the Helm, hosted by the National Yacht Club in Dun Laoghaire, was an overwhelming success with over 200 sailors competing in 60 boats, ranging from the 50ft CheckmateXX to Flying Fifteens and every size between, including two of the beautiful Dublin Bay 21s. Helms ranged in age from 17 to 71 plus with some, like the yacht eXcession from Ballyholme Yacht Club, sailing with three generations of the same family.
Race Officer Mairead Ni Cheallachain and team oversaw three great races in Saturday’s light winds and one on Sunday. Racing was gentle and fierce – is that possible? Oh yes … there was serious competition out there at the weekend as teams competed to win their class, and the coveted Roy Family Trophy for their club.
The atmosphere was incredible and it was all kicked off with an inspiring talk about goal setting, overcoming hurdles and mentoring on Friday night with Joan Mulloy, Laura Dillon, Diana Kissane, Christine Heath and Carla Fagan.
See the album of images on Facebook HERE - thanks to David Branigan of Oceansport.
These feedback comments sum up it up …
“Thanks for a brilliant weekend, great sailing and great fun.”
“Fantastic event! Lots of fun and great to see such big numbers of women sailing.”
“A great day, very well organised and brilliant atmosphere. Thanks to all involved!”
Winner of the Roy Family Trophy was Howth Yacht Club team with Ladies of the Kite - Aoife Hopkins on helm, CheckmateXX – Suzie Murphy on helm and Snapshot with Laura Dillon and Diana Kissane on helm. Howth won by a tenth of a point over the National Yacht Club team, MOJOBA with Kalamar, Joyride, and Bandit.
The winning boats in each class:
- Cruiser 1 Class – Snapshot, helmed Laura Dillon and Diana Kissane of Howth Yacht Club
- Cruiser 2 Class – Carmen, helmed by Brenda McGuire of Dublin Motor Yacht Club
- Sportboat Class – Ladies of the Kite, helmed by Aoife Hopkins of Howth Yacht Club
- Flying Fifteen Class – Hera, helmed by Ciara Mulvey of National Yacht Club
- WaterWag Class – Hilda, helmed by Heather Craig of Royal St George Yacht Club
To celebrate women of all stages in life the Silver Sailors helmed boat was won by Brenda McGuire with Carmen of DMYC and Under 25s won by Aoife Hopkins with Ladies of the Kite of Howth Yacht Club.
Event sponsors SIA Partners presented awards to the youngest helms competing, Rebekah O’Tiarnaigh from Ballyholme YC in the Cruiser 1 class and Eibhe Libliner of Royal St George YC in the Waterwags.
Awards were presented by Irish Sailing President John Twomey and Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council Cathaoirleach, Mary Hanafin.
See full results HERE