HYC Triumphs at Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta
The Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta 2025, held from July 10–13, proved to be a landmark event for Howth Yacht Club, with outstanding performances across the board. Club participants delivered championship-winning form in one of the largest and most competitive regattas in Europe — featuring almost 350 entries.
From seasoned offshore veterans to emerging youth teams, HYC’s presence was broad and highly successful.
Outrajeous: John & Suzie Murphy
Outrajeous: A Streak Like No Other
Team Outrajeous claimed 1st in IRC 1 and 1st Overall IRC at at VDLR continuing what has become an unprecedented run of form.
Since forming in September 2023, the team has entered 38 races, won 32, with five 2nds and a single 4th. The year alone they include the Lambay Regatta 2025 – 1st Class 1; D2D Race 2025 – 1st Class 1, 1st Overall; Sovereigns Cup 2025 – 1st Class 1 (8 wins from 8 races) and now the VDLR 2025 – 1st IRC 1, 1st IRC Overall.
Most of the Outrajeous crew also recently represented HYC with distinction at the Royal Yacht Squadron Invitational, bringing international recognition to their teamwork and excellence.
Splashdance: Three Wins in a Row
Splashdance made it a hat trick of major wins by taking 1st in Non-Spinnaker 1 at VDLR, following victories at both the Lambay Races and the ICRA/Sovereigns Cup in June.
They will now take a well-earned break before rounding out the season at the Autumn League.
Checkmate
Checkmate XX: Commanding Coastal Victory
Fresh off a victorious run at Sovereigns Cup, Checkmate XX continued their winning ways by taking 1st in the Coastal Class at VDLR — with four wins from four races. The team even discarded a first-place finish to end the event with just three points, well ahead of Rockabill IV and Mojito in a 24-boat fleet.
Co-owner Nigel Biggs noted their mix of ages and a nearly 50/50 male-female crew in a crew that had a lot of fun while also getting results.
K25 Youth Team Makes Big Statement
The newly formed K25 Team, sailing Kilcullen, marked a huge milestone by finishing 2nd in Class 3 IRC in their first major away event.
The team — a blend of young sailors from HYC’s club racing programme — showed remarkable grit and skill in a tight six-race series.
Going into the final day tied on points with Santoku, Kilcullen secured second overall on countback with a clutch performance in the final race. This achievement underscores the strength of HYC’s youth development pathway. The team next competes at the J24 Eastern Championships in Wicklow, and will be holding a fundraiser in the autumn to support key upgrades for Kilcullen.
Elder Lemon
Other Class Victories, Podiums & Places
HYC’s racing depth was on full display with multiple wins and podium finishes, including:
Elder Lemon – 1st overall in the Mixed Sportsboats Class
Sheila – 1st Howth 17s
Starfish – 1st, IDRA 14s
HYC's NYYC Series Development Team led by Darren Wright and David Cullen on "Age Before Beauty" were in the top spots in Class 2.
The Big Picture J/112e, skippered by Michael and Richard Evans, finished 5th overall and 3rd in class.
Indian, Simon Knowles' J/109 finished 15th overall and 5th in Class 2.
Pat O’Neil – 4th mixed sportsboat
Norbert Reilly / Darragh O’Connor – 3rd Mixed Sportsboat
Colin Kavanagh – 2nd IRC 2
Paddy Kyne – Maximum 5th IRC 2
Stephen Mullaney – Insider 2nd Sigma 33
Melges 15 Europeans
Teddy Byrne 2nd Overall in the Melges 15 crewing with Barry McCartin. Went down to the final race of the event, narrowly missing out on the title by 4 points. You can watch the final race here. Another Mic’d up video from the event follows Matthew in race 3 here
Jamie McMahon 8th overall
Matthew Cotter 14th overall
Stephen Quinn & Carla Fagan – 22nd
Sarah Robertson & Charlie Robertson – 23rd
Cormac Farrelly & Josh – 24th
Jack & Tom McMahon – 25th
Eoin Kernan & Ronan McDonnell – 27th
Well done all. You did HYC proud.