Howth YC Frostbites Races 11–12 Report
Alexandra
Two committee boats were deployed and marks were re-positioned down-tide to compensate for a westerly breeze backing into a flooding tide, allowing the race team to run two Olympic courses despite frequent shifts, gusts and lulls; the second race was shortened at the final gybe mark to keep the fleet safe and competitive.
Race day summary and on-water conditions
The Frostbites spring series delivered another gusty weekend on the Howth shoreline. A building westerly blew off the land and, combined with a rising tide, produced a tactical day where positioning and windward work paid dividends. Race management set up classic Olympic-course laps, making use of windward-leeward legs that exposed crews to repeated tacking duels and rolly conditions typical of the area.
Shifts and puffs forced frequent sail-trim changes and course calls; several competitors reported being caught out on the second beat only to recover on the run. With the series nearing its conclusion — one event weekend remaining — the leaderboards tightened across key fleets.
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ILCA 7: tight battles and leaderboard maths
Conor Murphy kept his momentum with two race wins, but neither was straightforward. In Race 1 he, Dave Kirwan and Dan O'Connell swapped the lead several times before finishing in that order. A separate scrap for fourth involved Max Tipp-McKnight, Davie Carr and Andrejs Samoilovs exchanging places throughout the lap sequence.
Race 2 opened with Andrejs Samoilovs leading the first lap and Tom Fox powering up the second beat to take a firm advantage into lap two. Murphy and Fox tangled in multiple tacking duels up the third beat while O'Connell recovered from an earlier incident to take third.
Standings are razor-close: Dave Kirwan leads on 19 points, Tom Fox sits second on 23, and Murphy is third on 24 — all with only two races left and no discards available.
ILCA 6 and dinghy fleets
The ILCA 6 fleet produced a photo-finish in Race 1 with Peter Hassett and Harry Dunne crossing together; Dylan Cassidy was third. Hassett then rode the puffs in Race 2 to a clear victory, extending his series lead to a 3.5-point advantage over D. Peelo, with Cassidy another 13 points back in third.
RS Aero, Melges 15 and IDRA 14 notes
Windy triangular courses suited the lighter and more responsive boats. Daragh Sheridan's RS Aero posted a double on corrected time, while the Farrellys in a Melges 15 scored back-to-back seconds. John Phelan’s RS Aero and the Quinns' Melges 15 rounded out podiums in individual races, and Richard Tate showed remarkable consistency with two fourths.
Sheridan’s series lead appears comfortable with an 18-point margin, but the fight for the remaining podium slots remains close: Cormac Farrelly and Justin Cullen sit narrowly ahead of Alan Carr and Orlaith Connolly’s IDRA 14.
Results snapshot
| Fleet | 1st (race/day) | 2nd | 3rd | Series leader (points) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ILCA 7 | Conor Murphy | Dave Kirwan | Dan O'Connell | Dave Kirwan (19) |
| ILCA 6 | Peter Hassett | D. Peelo | Dylan Cassidy | Peter Hassett (+3.5) |
| RS Aero / Melges 15 | Daragh Sheridan (RS Aero) | Farrelly (Melges 15) | Phelan / Quinns | Daragh Sheridan (+18) |
Key moments and turning points
- Committee boat calls and course shortening at the final gybe mark kept the fleet safe as gusts increased.
- Tidal set on the down-course created favoured lanes; mark-rounding discipline separated podiums.
- Multiple tacking duels in the middle beats decided positions more than pure boat speed.
- No discards remaining — every point carries weight into the finale.
Implications for charterers, skippers and marina operations
For anyone thinking about chartering a boat or running a crewed yacht this season, events like these underline the importance of local knowledge: tide, wind shifts and short-course tactics. Yacht charter operators and marinas should note peak launching windows, tow-boat availability and shore support needs on busy regatta weekends. If you rent a boat or book a captain for racing practice, make sure your provider understands local marinas, launch ramps and slip logistics — a small oversight ashore can change race outcomes.
Upcoming: Round the Island Race and prize-giving
Preparations are underway for the annual Round the Island Race on Saturday 7 March, followed by the series prize-giving and lunch. All competitors and supporters are encouraged to join the celebration — it’s a chance to swap sea stories, compare tactics and enjoy the camaraderie after a long winter of sailing.
Wrap-up: The weekend delivered two solid races under a building westerly and a flooding tide, with race management adjusting courses to keep things fair and competitive. The ILCA 7 leaderboard is tight with Dave Kirwan leading, Conor Murphy and Tom Fox in close pursuit; Peter Hassett increased his ILCA 6 margin; Daragh Sheridan remains dominant in RS Aero but podium positions in the dinghy fleets are still hotly contested. For charterers and skippers, local tidal knowledge, crew coordination and shore logistics will be decisive as the series concludes — whether you’re looking to rent a yacht or a small boat for practice, planning around marinas, wind and tide pays off. Expect final fireworks at the Round the Island Race and remember: great sailing brings together yacht, charter, beach, rent, lake, sailing, captain, sale, Destinations, superyacht, activities, yachting, sea, ocean, boating, gulf, water, sunseeker, marinas, clearwater and fishing interests alike.
