Three HYC Squibs travelled to Dromineer for the annual Freshwater Regatta, which was the final regional on the 2026 Squib calendar. There was a strong entry of 32 boats from clubs across Ireland and Northern Ireland, producing close racing throughout the fleet and an overall result that remained undecided until the final race of the regatta - with five separate race winners.

After three days of highly competitive sailing, Atomic (137), sailed by Ian Travers and Keith O'Riordan (Kinsale YC), emerged as overall winners after a very consistent weekend including a race win in Race 5.

Second overall went to the HYC team of Ewan and Tom McMahon (HYC/LDYC, Tears in Heaven, pictured above with LDYC Rear Commodore-Sailing Adair Leech). The duo enjoyed an outstanding regatta, claiming two race wins and leading the standings for much of the weekend. However, a retirement in the final race with a broken main halyard proved damaging in more ways than one as they were leading that race in some style.

Keeping it in the family, Jack Mc Mahon and Natasha (Archimedes ,822, HYC), took 5^th overall. After a slow start they found their groove across the last 4 races to climb the table. Rounding out the HYC boats, Ronan Mac Donell & Eoin Kernan took 12^th overall with a fairly consistent weekend, just missing the rest of the HYC cohort in the top 10.

Off the water, LDYC had all the logistics in place to support a great weekend. Notable mentions to Patricia, Tadhg, and their trusted team who put on a great championship dinner in the club on the Saturday evening. The upstairs bar was set up very nicely for a relaxed evening of good food, wine and some chatter. The Ritual sauna nearby was on hand for tired sailors to recover with some heat and a ‘plonge dans la lac’!!

On the weekend we also heard of the death of Dave Sheahan of Howth and Glandore Yacht Clubs. Dave was a very prominent Squib sailor winning the Nationals in 1983 representing HYC and more recently competing with his son Simon and daughter Carol Anne more locally, in his spiritual home of Glandore. His sister Margaret would also often sail with him, and the grandkids when they were to hand. Dave was a great advocate for sailing and a great supporter of Squibs having owned his Squib from new in the early 80’s, never letting it slip from his grasp. He also liked nothing more than some strong debate over rules interpretations! Ultimately, Dave was all about family and more importantly, the family going sailing. In the image above we can see 686 in race mode and below, the Sheahan fleet rigging up in Glandore with the next generation on board!

Words kindly written by Ronan MacDonell.