Defending champion Darragh McCormack won the Mermaid National title three years running at Tralee Bay Sailing Club today after a ten-race championship.
Day 4 of the 2021 Mermaid National Championship sponsored by Volvo came to a close today with the final two scheduled races completed.
The first race got off at 11am bang on time with a full Olympic course completed. One general recall saw the fleet very well behaved under a U flag in the second start sequence and everyone clear away. Conditions were shifty with wind strength overall pretty light but showers passing through bringing short bursts of big breeze. Trying conditions with a short chop but all got around. Results of the first race today (Race 9 of the overall series): 1st place went to 177 This Is It from Skerries Sailing Club helmed by Mark Boylan, with crew Aileen Boylan and Niall Collins. 2nd place went to 76 Azeezy from Skerries Sailing Club helmed by Sam Shiels with crew Eoin Boylan and Doire Shiels. 3rd place went to 187 Zuleika from Wexford Harbour Sailing Club helmed by Derek Joyce and crewed by Cillian Joyce and Brian Fenlon.
The second race started straight away with little delay. Conditions had gotten very shifty making for a difficult race. Nonetheless, a full Olympic course was completed. Results of the final race of the day (Race 10 of the series that brought a 2nd discard into play) were as follows: 1st place went to 102 Endeavour from the Royal Irish Yacht Club helmed by Roger Bannon and crewed by Kate Grimes and Barry Hayes. 2nd place went to 188 Innocence from Foynes Yacht Club helmed by Darragh McCormack and crewed by brothers Mark and Noel and 3rd place went to 187 Zuleika from Wexford Harbour Sailing Club helmed by Derek Joyce and crewed by Cillian Joyce and Brian Fenlon.
With 10 races and 2 discards, the final top 3 rankings for the event are: 1st place overall (on 13 net points) and the 2021 Mermaid National Champions: 188 Innocence from Foynes Yacht Club helmed by Darragh McCormack and crewed by brothers Mark and Noel.
2nd place overall (on 25 net points) goes to 119 Three Chevrons from Foynes Yacht Club helmed by Vincent McCormack and crewed by Roisin McCormack and Michael Lynch.
And 3rd place overall (on 28 net points) goes to 177 This Is It from Skerries Sailing Club helmed by Mark Boylan, with crew Aileen Boylan and Niall Collins.
The Daphne trophy was won by 119 Three Chevrons from Foynes Yacht Club helmed by Vincent McCormack and crewed by Roisin McCormack and Michael Lynch. 2nd place overall in the Daphne goes to 165 Seafox from Foynes Yacht Club helmed by Oisin Finucane with crew Conor Dillon and Chris McDaid and 3rd place overall in the Daphne goes to 179 Bean Adhmaid helmed by Martin O Toole with crew Shane and Conor O'Toole.
The Designer trophy was won by 190 Mayhem from Rush Sailing Club helmed by Enda Weldon with crew Clare Carthy and Sean Weldon. 2nd place in the designer went to 179 Bean Adhmaid helmed by Martin O Toole with crew Shane and Conor O'Toole and 3rd place overall in the designer goes to 73 Lively Lady from the National Yacht Club helmed by Geraldine O'Neill with crew Mick Hawney and David Cassidy.
A prize-giving outdoor BBQ is taking place at Tralee Bay Sailing Club this evening with formal awards of prizes and speeches.
A huge thanks to all involved at Tralee Bay Sailing Club for organising such a fantastic event and to National Race Officer Scorie Walls and her team for getting 10 great races completed! To all the amazing volunteers on and off the water, competitors, friends, supporters etc. thank you for making our 2021 National Championship such a memorable one.
The next and final event for the Mermaid fleet for the 2021 season, the Mermaid Munster Championship, is in 2 weeks time on the 4th and 5th of September hosted by Foynes Yacht Club.
