120 Young Sailors Wrap Up the Season in Style at IODAI National Training Week 2025
Three packed days of sailing, fun and friendship brought the 2025 season to a close at Lough Derg Yacht Club, as 120 Optimist sailors took part in National Training Week under the expert guidance of Lead Coach Dara O’Shea and his team.
Photo credit to Dan Clohessy
With Halloween spirit in full swing, the event was all about fun and learning. The sailors—ranging from seasoned racers to those just getting their start—made the most of three action-filled training days, bouncing (literally) between sessions on the water and the Halloween-themed obstacle course ashore. The famous Halloween Hooley dinner didn’t disappoint either, with a full-on disco and plenty of sailing merch up for grabs in the much-anticipated It To Win It raffle. Two lucky sailors even went home with brand new North Sails, much to their delight!
On Saturday, November 1st, attention turned to racing, with 120 sailors hitting the water for the Halloween Regatta in breezy, chilly conditions. Under the watchful eye of PRO John Leech and his capable team, four challenging races were run for the main fleet, with 83 boats on the start line.
Top honours in the Halloween Regatta went to Maeve Donagh (RSGYC/LDYC), who finished out a superb season with remarkable consistency to claim the overall Halloween Regatta Trophy. Just behind her was twin sister Emily Donagh, while local sailor Ruairi Slattery (RSGYC/LDYC) took third, making it a very proud day for the host club.
Photo credit to Geraldine Wisdom
The Junior Fleet and President’s Prize was won by Oscar Rowan (WHSC) after an excellent performance with two first places. Arthur Fegan (RSGYC and MYC) came second, and Jess Walsh (RSGYC) third. All three were part of the 2025 Under-12 team, which travelled to Weymouth in August, and have had a great season. We look forward to more great sailing by them in the Senior Fleet next year.
Photo credit to Geraldine Wisdom
In the Crosbie Cup—reserved for Silver and Bronze fleet sailors—local knowledge paid off again, with Phillippa Arthurs (RSGYC/LDYC) sailing a strong series to take the win. Kai Lawton (RSGYC) and Ben Smyth (RSGYC) also sailed consistently to complete the podium after a strong day’s racing in the shifting breeze.
Photo credit to Geraldine Wisdom
Meanwhile, 36 sailors in the Regatta Fleet raced closer to shore, learning the ropes in shifty winds and chilly conditions—but spirits stayed high. The Regatta Racing Fleet was won by Daniel Maloney (LDYC/RSGYC), followed by Steven Ryan from WHSC, and Martha Nolan (RNIYC), in third.
A huge thanks goes to the fantastic team at LDYC for making it all happen, especially Commodore Anne Marie Cox and event coordinator Padraic Slattery. It was a fantastic way to end the sailing season—and a celebration of how far our young sailors have come this year. Huge thanks to all the IODAI Committee, and in particular Nick Smyth, for coordinating an event of this scale, and thanks to Irish Sailing for their support of National Training Week 2025.
Year on year, the Optimist class continues to grow from strength to strength, and it was brilliant to welcome new families travelling from Kinsale Yacht Club, Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club, Lough Derg Yacht Club and Mayo Sailing Club for their very first National Training Week. We look forward to seeing lots more new faces on the water in 2026.
Photo credit to Dan Clohessy
Looking ahead, the 2026 season dates are now confirmed as follows:
- Sprint Series – February–March: 3 single-day events. Details to follow. (Suitable for seasoned main fleet sailors in winter programmes only)
- Irish Sailing Youth Nationals Ballyholme Yacht Club – 9–12 April (Invite only)
- Junior and Senior Development Squads Training, Lough Ree Yacht Club – 2–4 May Bank Holiday (Squads only)
- U12 Training, Lough Ree Yacht Club – 2–4 May (Bank Holiday) (Squad only)
- Ulsters, Strangford Lough Yacht Club – 16–17 May (Open)
- Munsters, Waterford Harbour Sailing Club – 13–14 June (Open)
- Leinsters, Howth Yacht Club – 18–19 July (Open)
- National Team Racing Champs, Royal Cork Yacht Club – 12 August (Open)
- National Championships, RCYC – 13–16 August (Open)
- Connachts, GBSC – 12–13 September (Open)
For more information, visit iodai.com or follow us on Instagram @iodai_optimist for the latest updates.
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