Presidents Cup & Hansa Nationals 2019

This summer on the 17th and 18th August the Royal St George Yacht Club at Dun Laoghaire Harbour hosted the President’s Cup and Hansa National Championships.

Inaugurated by Paralympian John Twomey this Irish interprovincial regatta is the highlight of the Sailability calendar. This competition is to provide anyone with a disability from the 32 counties of Ireland the opportunity to compete on the water and experience the joys of sailing.

Despite the challenging conditions, there was no stopping these determined competitors getting out on the water and completing three races in each fleet.

Ulster team of two Squibs, a Hansa and a 2.4m clinched the overall Presidents Cup Trophy on 36 points, just ahead of the Munster team on 37. 

Just one point separated the first three places in the eighteen strong Hansa fleet. Cara O‘Sullivan (Munster) won the Hansa Nationals in style on just 6 points. Best performing youngest junior girl in the fleet went to Lucy Kinner (Ulster). Best junior boy was awarded to Jack Cunningham (Connaught) and best newcomer to Cian Nolan (Leinster).

The Spirit of Sailability trophy went to Mary Duffy for her determination and sportsmanship for competing solo in very challenging conditions.

Special thanks to our sponsors including Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council and Hewlett-Packard Enterprise Gold Partner Softcat also Dun Laoghaire based.

Also a huge thank you to all our volunteers, in particular, the buddy sailors, race officers and everyone who has supported the event throughout the weekend.