Paul McMahon of the host club took home the 2024 Irish RS Aero National Championships in convincing style at Howth Yacht Club over the weekend. The KODC Advisory sponsored event saw twenty competitors including two very welcome visitors from the USA facing challenging, shifty and gusty conditions. After six eventful races McMahon’s consistency in handling all that was thrown at him meant he retained the title he won in 2023.

In a one-two for Howth, Daragh Sheridan came in second, with Madahavan Thirumulai from Cedar Point Yacht Club in America completing the podium. On a great weekend for Howth, Abby Kinsella also took home the first youth prize.

Great credit goes to Race officer Nigel Biggs and his team for completing the full programme of six races in such testing conditions.

Thanks also to Thomas Chaix who provided a top-class coaching session on the Friday afternoon before the event. This is a key part of the Irish RS Aero class events offering, and has proved popular with the sailors in helping all to improve and help each other.

Other prize winners were:
- 1st Female : Sarah Dwyer (RSGYC)
- 1st Master: Roy Van Maanen (Greystones SC)
- 1st Youth : Abby Kinsella (Howth YC)
- 1st Overseas: Boris Mezhibovskiy ( Cedar Point YC)
- 1st 6 Rig: Noel Butler (National YC)
- 1st 7 Rig: Rob Howe (Monkstown Bay SC)

Next up for the Irish Aero fleet is the Europeans next weekend in Carnac, France, which sees several Irish sailors travelling. The next home event is the Aero Westerns being held as part of the RS Fest in Lough Derg on the 6th & 7th of July.

Also on the horizon is the 2026 Aero Europeans which will take place at Howth on the last weekend in August 2026.

If you would like to get involved there are a number of second-hand boats available currently and you would be assured of a warm welcome by all in the class. Contact: [email protected] or checkout  https://rsaeroireland.ie/  to find out more.

Full results available here.