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A Thank you to my supporters

A Thank you to my supporters

Mission Accomplished : Mini Transat đŸ

On Monday, November 10th at 5:27 p.m. local time (9:27 p.m. UTC), Mini Skippy and I crossed the finish line in Saint-François, Guadeloupe.

After more than 16 days alone at sea, we completed this Atlantic crossing aboard a 6.50 meter boat, without assistance, without communication, relying on my training,  skill and resilience.

The final miles delivered a thrilling showdown: a side-by-side sprint with another competitor to secure 20th place in the production boat ranking.  

As the finish line appeared on the horizon, Mini Skippy was behind Antoine Canivet’s pink boat, having overtaken him during the night and then fallen back. I knew I had to make a move and switching into match racing mode, I used the gusts and waves glide slightly downwind, and with a little burst of speed came level before overtaking his pink boat just meters before the line. I knew that with the first leg cancelled, this was it. Not the moment to give up.

After more than two weeks, 2,600 miles sailed, and an entire ocean crossed, we clinched the finish in a photo finish, just 27 seconds ahead.

Read More

 

21 Nov, 2025 | 3 min read

What a Week for Our Sailors!

What a Week for Our Sailors!

Brian Uniacke and Team Tongyeong have successfully arrived in Cape Town after completing Stage 3 of the 2025/2026 Clipper Round the World Race! The team currently sits in 6th place, an impressive achievement after thousands of nautical miles at sea.
Up next, on November 16th, they’ll set off on Stage 4: Marlow’s Blue Ocean Sleigh Ride — an exhilarating 4,800nm ocean crossing from Cape Town, South Africa to Fremantle, Australia.

Meanwhile, Damien Payne has returned home after his incredible adventure with Team “Power of Seattle Sport.” We’ll continue to cheer on Damien’s teammates, who are currently in 4th place after earning 3 vital points at the scoring gate in the last stage.

We’ll hear more from Damien over the coming weeks, as he shares some of his amazing stories with us, from the “choppy” waters in the Bay of Biscay, to lightning storms mid Atlantic.

Our junior sailors have also been making waves abroad!

13 Nov, 2025 | 2 min read

Congratulations Mark O’Connor Mini Transat 20th Place Finish

Congratulations Mark O’Connor Mini Transat 20th Place Finish

The following is a report of Marks thrilling finish posted by the organisers. 

It is very noteworthy that Mark sailed 3260 nm which is between 100 and 150nm more than many of his closest competitors. To do so and finish so well is testament to Marks perseverance and skill in achieving his ambitions. 

All of his efforts is only made possible by the superb support received from you all so bask in the reflected glory of this fantastic achievement 

Mark O'Connor: A Rough Start, A Sharp Final

11 Nov, 2025 | 4 min read

D12 Mini Transat : Crossing the Atlantic

D12 Mini Transat : Crossing the Atlantic

 

760 milles left to Guadeloupe
Mark is now 760 miles from Guadeloupe, with 70% of the course behind him.
Just a few more days at sea. He’s expected to arrive early next week, most likely between Monday and Tuesday.

 

He’s been sailing fast over the past few days, with stronger trade winds helping the miles fly by. That must have been good for morale, even if not exactly restful.

 

At the front of the fleet, the first prototype boats are expected to arrive this Saturday, with the leading serie boats following on Sunday evening or Monday morning.
 

Life on board
Temperatures, both air and water, have continued to rise over the past few days, making life on board anything but easy. The salty humidity takes a toll on the skin, and the body must be feeling the strain.

 

Speaking of strain
 let’s talk about sleep.

At night, the race doesn’t stop. The wind and waves make no distinction, carrying the boat forward mile after mile. 

 

So, no chance for a full 8-hour night. Mark has to rely on short naps : 20 to 40 minutes at a time, waking regularly to check that everything is in order on deck, that no other boats are on a collision course, that the wind hasn’t shifted, and that the boat is still properly trimmed.

 

Sometimes, conditions are too unstable or demanding for the autopilot, so naps have to wait. Finding the right balance between rest and performance is essential. When lucidity fades, mistakes can happen—and in offshore racing, they can be serious. Most skippers have experienced hallucinations during long races, simply due to exhaustion.

 

Since the start of the crossing, Mark seems to be in his element at sea, managing his fatigue with skill and composure.
 

Current Standings and Strategic Moves 
Mark is currently positioned toward the northern edge of the fleet.
With the wind now coming from due east, he’s having to alternate gybes to make progress toward Guadeloupe.

 

He’s maintained the strong pace of recent days and is holding his place in the top 25!

 

According to the latest reports, the wind remains quite unstable, especially in strength, which makes conditions on board particularly demanding. Mark has to adjust the sails frequently and stay alert to take over from the autopilot whenever the changes become too abrupt.

 

We don’t have precise details, but a nearby competitor dismasted yesterday morning. Fortunately, all is well on board, and he’s continuing toward Guadeloupe with a jury rig. It’s a clear sign that conditions out there are intense!
 

Upcoming Weather and Tactical Choices
In these final days of racing, the wind is expected to remain in the same general pattern.
Mark will need to keep playing with its instability to find the best angles and make the most of each tack.

 

As he gets closer to Guadeloupe, he’ll start encountering squalls, cloud formations packed with strong winds and often heavy rain. Anticipating these squalls is key, as they can be violent and cause damage on board.

 

Focus will be essential all the way to the finish
 
Follow the entire race via the live tracking map :
Just look for boat number 946 – MINI SKIPPY in the “SERIE” ranking.
TRACKER LINK
 
 
  ­
 

 

07 Nov, 2025 | 3 min read

NYC Sailors Clipper Journey

NYC Sailors Clipper Journey

Our sailors have reached Puerto Sherry after completing Leg 1 of the Clipper Round the World race.

Having battled force 8 winds, 6 metre waves and some of the worst conditions for race 1 in Clipper history,

Damiens Team Power of Seattle claimed 3rd place and sit 2nd overall, while Brian and Team Tongyeong sit in 6th.

Some well earned Rest in Puerto Sherry before the set off on Sunday on Leg 2, The South Atlantic Challenge, 5,300nm to Punta Del Este, Uruguay.

 

Wishing our sailors fair winds and safe passage.

 

Find your race tracker and follow the teams at www.clipperroundtheworld.com

12 Sep, 2025 | 1 min read

World Match Racing Tour – Accommodation Help

World Match Racing Tour – Accommodation Help

As some of you may know, we are hosting a stage on the World Match Racing Tour this September, and preparations are well underway. We are reaching out to ask for your help with one important part of the event: accommodation for the visiting teams.

The regatta runs from the 24th to the 28th of September, with a practice day on the 24th. Teams will be arriving on the 23rd or 24th, and most will leave either on the evening of the 28th or the 29th, depending on flights. Nearly all the teams have been in touch looking for recommendations, and many are struggling with the high cost of accommodation in Dublin.

We would be enormously grateful if any members could offer a place to stay for visiting sailors. This doesn’t need to be anything glamorous—anything from a spare room, a space for a blow-up mattress, or even a berth on a boat in the marina would make a huge difference. The aim is to make this a positive and welcoming experience for the teams, which in turn will help ensure that the National Yacht Club remains a stop on the tour in the future.

If you are able to help, please let us know at your earliest convenience. Your support will go a long way toward making this event a success, and it will be very much appreciated by both the club and the visiting teams.

Please contact Oisin Cullen omc2607@gmail.com if you can office any assistance.

26 Aug, 2025 | 2 min read

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