A European championship in Lake Garda is set to be the 2026 highlight for the Irish M15 class.
The class has continued to grow here following the success of the inaugural Europeans held on the Hyland Shipping course as part of the Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta last July. Dun Laoghaire in particular, has seen strong growth with 20 out of the 37 boats now in Ireland based there.
Read MoreAs the days are getting shorter and the temperature is dropping the Melges 15 sailors are getting set for Winter Frostbite racing around the country. With 37 boats now in Ireland the 15s will be showing up racing in Dun Laoghaire, Howth and Ballyholme in a mix of class racing and PY Racing. The experimental PY handicap continues to refine as more results are entered into the system. The reward for such endeavour will the now annual trip to Cascais with the Irish Armada scheduled to arrive in the warm waters off the Portugese coast early April next year.
Read MoreRSGYC Pairing of Sean Donnelly and Greg Arrowsmith are the winners of the Provident CRM national championships after a runaway win in the last race to beat Marty and Rachel O’Leary on countback. Three races were sailed today in the patchy 6-13 knot conditions to complete the full 7 race series.
Read MoreThis is a race that had everything; bad start, big comeback, fast downwind rides, controversial port and starboard…
Join Conor Twohig (on Mic) and Matthew Cotter for Race 3 of the Europeans , who are sailing IRL 805..
Now that the dust has settled and the blue skies have past, a data analysis of the inaugural M15 Europeans held on the Hyland Shipping course, as part of VDLR gives some interesting insights about both the boat and the teams sailing. Slicing and dicing the Vakaros Racesense data for the 9 races informs what metrics are important when it comes to winning races.
Read MoreWith the title up for grabs, Race 7 of Day 3 kicked off with early fireworks. ISV 1019 (Lola Kohl & Christian Ezequiel) surged into the lead, while regatta leaders ISV 1015 (Atlee Kohl & Cathal O’Regan) rounded sixth—just ahead of USA 1021 (Esteban Forrer & Jeremy Herrin).
USA 1017 (Dana & John Haig) owned the first downwind, rounding first at the gate. IRL 562 (Barry McCartin & Teddy Byrne) surged up the right on the last upwind, while ISV 1019 fought back to reclaim third. ISV 1015 stayed consistent in fifth. On the last downwind. A poor set by IRL 562 allowed ISV 1019 to pounce. USA 1021 slumped to 12th—their worst of the regatta.At the finish. The Haigs held strong for the win. ISV 1019 claimed second, IRL 562 third, and ISV 1015 climbed to fourth—protecting their slim overall lead. Heading into the final, ISV 1015 led by just two points over IRL 562.
Read MoreThe arrival into Dun Laoghaire of 12 brand new Melges 15 dinghies for the inaugural Melges 15 European championships this week gives a unique opportunity for Irish crews to join the class..
Read MoreA breezy Sunday on Dublin Bay with gusts up to 25 knots brought fast, exciting sailing for the Melges 15 fleet. Overnight leaders Flying Tiger (John Sheehy and Isabel O'Grady) held on to win by two points, though not without a few calamitous errors on Sunday's racing.
Read MoreFrom 12 to boats in May 23, to 24 in May 24 and soon to be 37 in July 25 the Melges 15 is bringing new life to sailing clubs, fostering excitement across generations and creating one of the most competitive and fun fleets out there.
Read MoreExcitement Is building for the inaugural Melges 15 Europeans which will take place as part of Volvo Dun Laoghaire week. Hyland Shipping will sponsor the Melges 15 Race Course as well as becoming a bronze sponsor of the Volvo Dun Laoghaire regatta.
Read MoreThe five boat Irish Armada enjoyed a thrilling few days afloat and ashore at the final European Winter Series event in Cascais this Easter. The team at Sail Cascais delivered a nine race series in conditions that ranged from 6 to 26 knots over 3 days of racing.
Read MoreThe inaugural Melges 15 Europeans held at Volvo Dun Laoghaire regatta will be the highlight of the class calendar for 2025. One class event is scheduled each month from April to August with a mix of local sailing, international sailing and coaching as the fleet continues to grow.
Read MoreMorgan Lyttle and Tom Higgins are the Top Gun Champions for 2024. After a Summer's Sailing Instructing in Nantucket Yacht Club, Morgan and Tom took out one of the club owned Melges 15s to set a new Irish benchmark for the Top Gun Trophy.
Read MoreThe inaugural Melges 15 European championships will be held as part of Ireland’s biggest sailing regatta; Volvo Dún Laoghaire Regatta on July 10th-13th next year. The Europeans will be a highlight of the Irish calendar with over 40 crews set to attend and join in with over 400 other boats competing in other classes.
Read MorePlenty of first timers quickly got to grips with the Melges 15 last weekend at the Royal Saint George Yacht Club.
Read MoreBook in for a demo sail at the RSGYC on Sunday 22nd September. We will have 4 M15s and a Rib on hand.
Read MoreExperience the excitement of the 2024 Melges 15 Irish National Championships through our wrap-up video, featuring thrilling drone footage and exclusive interviews with competitors.
Darragh O’Connor and Brian (Teddy) Byrne are the winners of the 2024 Melges 15 National championships held at Howth this weekend. After four great races on Saturday the 19 boat fleet kept fingers and toes crossed for sailing on Sunday, but with gusts of up to 30 knots and a difficult sea state, racing was abandoned for the day.
Read MoreRace officer Richard Kissane and the team delivered the exciting windward-leeward races for the 19-boat fleet on Saturday (August 24th).
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