Earlier this summer Irish Sailing asked boat owners for their experiences of sailing boats abroad, registering boat on the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport’s Part 1 Register, registering with other flag states etc.

Irish Sailing are now requesting a meeting with the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and would like to ensure your voice is heard. To be part of this representation please share your experience directly by email to harry@sailing.ie before November 23^rd. (read the full post for additional details)

On Sunday next, the 11th November many in Ireland will be remembering the deaths of family members in the war. In the afternoon DBSC will remember its own members who died in the conflict with a brief ceremony before the start of Turkey Shoot racing.

Procedure as follows:
Sound Signal. Reading from the committee vessel of the names of DBSC members killed in action during the First World War. Sound Signal and flags lowered. One minute silence. Sound signal. Flags raised.
Competitors are asked to observe the minute’s silence.

Please the full post for an excellent historical account of racing in Dublin Bay during the 1st World War

National Yacht Club is Ireland’s first Club with a Sea Bin – thanks to Flossie Donnelly

Twelve-year-old environmental campaigner Flossie Donnelly has presented the National Yacht Club with one of her Sea Bin devises to help clean up the environs of the Club – and especially catch waste plastics which come in our direction when the Northerly winds blow.

The Sandycove campaigner and blogger already has a Sea Bin in operation in the main Dun Laoghaire harbour area and our one will be the second in the country. 

Flossie presented Sea Bin to Vice Commodore Martin McCarthy who accepted on behalf of the club and with the support of Annalise Murphy – who is dedicated to the “Turn the Tide on Plastic” campaign, and whose boat she campaigned in the recent Volvo Ocean Race.

Representing the Flying Fifteen class at the Helmsmans Championships in Lough Ree at the weekend David Gorman, with Chris Doorly crewing, reached the final and finished a credible 7^th overall in an extremely competitive fleet.

There were two flights of 8 boats on Saturday each with three races and the top three in each qualified for the final automatically. David had two thirds and an unfortunate retiral which meant he had to do the repechage qualifier on Sunday where there were two places in the final up for grabs. This he did by winning the race in very windy conditions.

The final was to be four short races but with the weather deteriorating only two were sailed. David got two fifths in the close racing but as the scores from Saturday were carried through he finished 7^th overall. A great achievement in a top class fleet of Olympians and national champions in a boat he was unfamiliar with.

Many thanks to the SB20 class for lending their boats.

The Deloitte sponsored Championship of Ireland for the Flying Fifteen class ended on Sunday with a sinew- stretching, gut busting race in the strongest wind of the weekend with thrills and spills on the top reach of the triangle!

However, by the time the last race started, the new National Champions had exited “stage left”. The speculation on Saturday night was that a 6th place in either of the two races on Sunday would be enough to see the host club’s Dave Gorman and Chris Doorly crowned National Champions. They duly made sure of their title by finishing in second place in the first race which was won by Charles Apthorp and Alan Green, their closest rivals. That meant they could retire to shore early, derig and enjoy an early shower before the balance of the fleet came in. Talking to Dave Gorman after the prize-giving, he admitted to being a bit nervous going out as they had to drop their rig on the Saturday night when the jib halyard was seen to be unravelling. Not the best of preparations for the last day of a regatta. 
Read the full report here
View the final overall results here
View & download photos of the event here