CHAMPAGNE CONDITIONS FOR OPTIMIST LEINSTERS AT THE NATIONAL YACHT CLUB
FOLLOWED BY SEND-OFF PRESENTATION FOR THE IRISH EUROPEANS TEAM AHEAD OF EUROPEANS IN IZMIR, TURKEY THIS WEEKEND
The 2025 IODAI Optimist Leinsters at the National Yacht Club brought over 140 young sailors to Dublin Bay for a weekend of competitive racing under the expert management of Race Officer Ed Totterdell. In champagne sailing conditions, the main fleets completed six races over two days, providing valuable racing experience for sailors in light conditions as they kicked off the first regional of the season.
Maeve Donagh (RSGYC/LDYC) won the Main fleet, finishing first after counting four first-place finishes. Her twin, Emily Donagh (RSGYC/LDYC), close behind with two bullets, secured second place, while Lily Donagh (RSGYC/LDYC) completed the top three, underlining the family’s strong showing in the fleet.
Maeve Donagh RSGYC finished in first place at the Optimist Leinsters in NYC. She and her sisters Emily and Lily, who finished second and third, will represent Ireland at the Optimist Worlds in Slovenia in July. Picture – Dan Clohessy
NYC Commodore Peter Sherry with Emily, Lily and Maeve Donagh with Michael Keogh of Irish Sailing at the Leinsters Senior Main Presentation Picture – Dan Clohessy
The Junior fleet saw Aurele Dion (NYC/CVSQ), who recently moved to Paris, take first place in his old home club. Dylan O’Sullivan (RCYC) claimed second place, just one point behind, and took the Leinsters trophy back to RCYC with him as the highest-ranked Irish sailor. Louis Trickett (NYC) enjoyed his home advantage and took third place.
Aurele Dion (NYC/CVSQ), first, Junior Main Fleet
Picture – Dan Clohessy
Dylan O’Sullivan, first Irish boat and second overall, in Junior Main Fleet Picture – Dan Clohessy
Oliver Cooke (SLYC) won the Racing Regatta fleet, which was overseen by Race Officer Alex Walsh. John Keating (RCYC) sailed well to secure second place, and Robert Tottenham (LDYC/RSGYC) rounded out the top three.
Optimist Leinsters Regatta Racing Winner Oliver Cooke of Strangford Lough Yacht Club Picture Dan Clohessy
The weekend offered perfect conditions for new entrants to the Optimist circuit. In the Regatta Coached fleet, Eva Ryan (MBSC) took first place in the harbour races close to shore. Hugh Williams (SLYC) secured second, while Rossa Smith (GBSC) finished third.
The event marked a step up for our Junior and Senior Development Squad sailors, who, fresh from training in Lough Ree the weekend before, moved up into the more race-focused Junior Main and Senior Main fleets. The camaraderie within the entire fleet was evident, though, with older sailors looking out for younger competitors and encouraging them, both on the water and as they lined up to launch.
It was also great to see former Optimist sailors Caoileann Geragthy O’Neill and more recent graduates like Max O’Hare, Tom D’Arcy, and Rian O’Neill return to the class in coaching support roles, offering valuable tips and guidance to the next generation of sailors.
Special thanks to Race Officers Ed Totterdell and Alex Walsh, NYC Head Coach Thomas Chaix, Aoife Hofler, Dave Whelan, and the entire team at the National Yacht Club for hosting the first regional event of the year. The event delivered great racing for all fleets and much fun ashore for all the families – all in glorious sunshine!
Prize giving was delivered by IODAI President Dominic Byrne and NYC Commodore Peter Sherry, alongside Michael Keogh of Irish Sailing.
IODAI’s next regional event, the Ulsters, will take place in East Antrim Boat Club in Larne on the 14th and 15th of May. Early bird entries close this Friday, 23rd, at 8 p.m. on iodai.com, and the event closes two weeks beforehand on 30th May. Entrants are encouraged to enter as soon as possible to avoid late fees and to allow EABC to plan for coaching and safety support.
Following the prizegiving, IODAI and Michael Keogh of Irish Sailing presented members of the European Team, who leave for Izmir, Turkey, this Sunday, May 28th, with their official team gear. The seven-person squad, hailing from clubs all over Ireland, will be coached at the event by Dara O’Shea and supported by Team Leader Yvonne Durcan, both of whom have travelled with Irish teams in previous years.
THE EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS TEAM 2025 COMPETING IN IZMIR, TURKEY, IS MADE UP OF:
Patrick Fegan (RSGYC/MYC)
Dylan O’Sullivan (RCYC)
Kate Spain (RSGYC/HYC)
Dougie Venner (RCYC)
Isaac Vaughan (RCYC)
Annabelle Wilson (KYC)
Amy Whyte (RCYC/WHSC)
We wish all our sailors a great international regatta. You can follow their progress via https://www.instagram.com/iodai_ireland/.
Irish Optimist European Team Members Dylan O’Sullivan, Isaac Vaughan, Patrick Fegan, Kate Spain and Annabelle Wilson with Michael Keogh of Irish Sailing. Not pictured: Dougie Venner and Amy Whyte.
The IODAI European Team 2025. Pictured L – R – Coach Dara O’Shea, Issac Vaughan, Dougie Venner, Kate Spain, Amy Whyte, Dylan O’Sullivan and Patrick Fegan. Fellow team member Annabelle Wilson is not pictured.
Picture Laura Greer
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