135 young sailors aged 7 to 15 gathered in Lough Derg YC, Dromineer, for the Annual IODAI Optimist national Training week, three days of coaching and fun followed by the final event of the year, the Hallowe'en cup incorporating the Crosbie cup, a long-standing perpetual trophy dedicated to the Silver and bronze fleet sailors.
23 National Yacht Club young sailors made the journey and enjoyed the training in various groups under the guidance of a mix of International coaches and Irish-based coaches. NYC Optimist coach Conor Gorman was part of the Gold fleet team. NYC coaches also had fair representation in the Regatta fleet support, with Cillian Madigan leading a team of younger instructors, including 29er aces Lauren O'Callaghan and Ethan Spain, freshly returned from the Italian Eurocup, but also some future talent in the club coaching panel Ella Dempsey and Ellen Madigan.
The clinic was led by Thomas Chaix, the club's head coach.
The first day saw stormy conditions, and the gold fleet ventured out. Capsizes and surfing led to big smiles and heroes' stories back ashore. The remaining sailors worked on various shore-based drills.
Feast or Famine! The fan was switched off for the rest of the week, leading to some calmer conditions, even too calm at times. It certainly allowed everyone a comfortable time afloat training and preparing for the Halloween cup.
Regatta day delivered an awesome forecast with sunshine and a gentle 6-10kts Southerly breeze.
The 95-boat main fleet headed outside Dromineer bay and raced four full-size excellent races whilst The 47-boat regatta fleet battled just a few 100 metres from the marina giving the parents a great spectacle ashore.
NYC sailors were on fire, winning six out of the eight categories, including the coveted Halloween cup.
Regatta Fleet
1st: Josephine Dion.
Regatta Racing Fleet
1st: Louis Tryckett
2nd: Michael Hanley
Junior Bronze
1st Aurèle Dion
2nd Alex Butcher
3rd Jacob Browne
Junior Silver
1st Basile Dion
Junior Gold
3rd James Gorman
Senior Bronze
1st Max Neary
Senior Gold
1st Gemma Brady
Special mention must to NYC Crosbie cup racers in the top positions - it was a near miss on count back For 9-year-old Aurèle in the 65-boat fleet
- 2nd Aurèle Dion
- 3rd Basile Dion
- 4th Alex Butcher
- 6th Jacob Browne
- 7th Max Neary
- 18th Jonathan Dempsey
The sailors will now return to the regular club programme and try to apply and practice the lessons of the week.
ILCA Training
Meanwhile, in Dun Laoghaire, NYC's ILCA group had a great session on Saturday under the leadership of Coach James Delaney. The Argentinian drill was the highlight of a great day afloat for the group.
Viking Marine DMYC Frostbites
The DMYC Frostbites series started on Sunday with many dinghy sailors from NYC attending. The Aeros started well in the PY fleet, with NYC Noel Butler scoring a solid 2-1 and taking the lead. Stephen Oram 6-3 was good enough to place him in 3rd.