As Autumn storms herald the end of the main Sailing season, twin annual showdowns between various strands of the sport in Ireland are set to take place in Dun Laoghaire and Lough Ree over the next two weekends.

Following last weekend’s victory for Crosshaven’s Peter McCann in Kinsale at the ISA Junior All-Ireland Sailing Championships, attention switches to Dun Laoghaire this morning where Anthony O’Leary is set to defend his 2014 title at the National Yacht Club.

FRESH or possible near-gale conditions are expected for tomorrow afternoon’s opening race in the biennial Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta as the fleet of 400-plus entries gather for the largest sailing event in Ireland this year.