National Yacht Club

21 NYC Juniors represented the club at the recent Optimist Nationals held in Skerries from the 13th-16th August. The event was sailed in mainly light airs with strong tides and a full series was sailed over the four days. A total of 181 boats competed, with 42 boats sailing in the Senior fleet( 13-15 years old), 94 boats in the Junior fleet( age 12 and under) and 45 Boats in the Regatta fleet for less experienced Sailors. We had 6 boats sail in the Senior fleet, Clare Gorman( 2ND overall), Ella Hemeryck( 7th), Nicola Ferguson 11th, Charlie Cullen, Natasha Hemeryck and Deirdre Turner. The Overall Senior Team Prize was won by the National for the second year running and similar to last year the team comprised of three girls. The team prize is decided by adding each club’s top three Sailor’s scores and the NYC won on count back from the RStGYC. Well done to Clare, Ella and Nicola on a fantastic achievement. We had nine boats sail in the massive 94 boat Junior fleet which made for congested start lines and finding clear air and holding your lane was a major priority. Conor Gorman of the NYC emerged as the National Champion following the ten race series. He sailed a very consistent event and only won by three points after getting the better of his Royal Cork rival on the last beat of the last race. Leah Rickard finished 10th and Fiona Ferguson 21st. Hugh O’Connor won third Silver fleet overall and Eoghan Turner, Zoe Hall, Nathan Van Steenberge, Georgie McCarthy, and Julio-Louis Marie also competed in the Junior fleet and the experience gained will be of great benefit for the coming events. We had six Sailors sail in the Regatta fleet which is a breeding ground for future stars. Ella Dempsey, Billy McCarthy, Rachel Flood, Edward Dempsey, Lucia Cullen and Conor Staunton all learnt a lot, made plenty of friends and had a great time. The next event is the Leinsters in Howth on the weekend of 5th and 6th September.