NYC

The Optimist Munster Championship were held last weekend, September 22nd/23rd,  at the Royal Cork Yacht Club. This was the fourth and final regional championship of the year.

The weather was, as expected, a bit colder than the previous events in the summer, but good sailing conditions nonetheless. Saturday’s moderate wind and sunny conditions allowed the main fleet to venture out of Cork Harbour into the sea to Roches Point, whereas stronger winds on Sunday kept the main fleet inside the protection of the Harbour to avoid the ‘bumpy’ seas. Both areas were so far from the club that the entire fleet had to be towed to the race courses. The spacious boat yard and good race organization made for a very enjoyable weekend.

Senior Fleet (15 entries): Dara Donnelly, Hugh Perrette, and Patrick Coyle represented the National well, with Dara taking 3rd place overall, Hugh taking 7th place overall, and Patrick taking 9th place overall — personal bests for the season for all three! Dara’s six races included one win and no finish outside the top five! The Senior Fleet was won by Harry Durcan of the RCYC.

Junior Fleet (59 Entries): NYC’s own Peter Fagan ended the season as he began it – with a regional championship! Peter won the Ulster’s at the start of the year, and added a Munster Championship to his trophy cabinet with a suburb performance including one race win, one 2nd, and two thirds in Cork. Peter placed 2nd in the final race to snatch the title from Cork local favourite James McCann, who had been leading up to that point. The National was also well represented by Loghlen Rickard (4th overall, with one bullet). Nicola Ferguson (12th overall), Ella Hemeryck (15th overall, her personal best for the season and the 3rd placed Silver!), Luke Rickard (36th overall), Cliona Coyle (42nd overall), and Leah Rickard (49th overall). The NYC Juniors have dominated the circuit this year taking 3 of the 4 regionals and the National Championship!

Regatta Fleet (29 Entries): There were no NYC sailors competing in the Regatta Fleet, which was won by the youngest sailor in the event, Eve McMahon from Howth Yacht Club.

Congratulations are also due to NYC sailors Heather Spain, Loghlen Rickard, Peter Fagan and Clare Gorman, all of whom were selected for the ISA Optimist Squad.