A group of junior sailors from Rutland Sailing Club have bagged an impressive win at the Irish Elmo Trophy at Dun Laoghaire Harbour.

The 'Rutland Raiders' have returned victorious from a recent sailing event in Ireland - the biggest in the country, called The Elmo.

After a staggering 190 races, UK visitors the 'Rutland Raiders' emerged victorious with a comprehensive 2-0 victory in the final against last year's winners, the Nautibuoys, at the weekend's eighth edition of team racing's Elmo Trophy at the Royal St. George Yacht Club.

In what was the biggest team race event ever staged in Ireland, 196 sailors from across the country competed in the 32 supplied Firefly dinghies lighting up a sometimes-gloomy Dun Laoghaire Harbour over the weekend.

The 'Rutland Raiders' were in the mix after the 11 rounds of racing, and moved on into the knockout stages on Sunday afternoon. It culminated in a final with Raiders against Nautibuoys2 from Howth, which they won in considerable style 2 to 0 - the second of those races being particularly close and a worthy race after an impressive sailing event.

The Elmo Trophy saw young sailors from across the nation compete. Image credit: Steve Tylecote.

A spokesperson from Rutland sailing club said: "The Elmo Trophy youth team racing Irish championship is an amazing event. Since being initiated in 2015 it has now grown to be the biggest youth sailing event in Ireland with 32 teams racing in 6 flights of matched fireflies in the normal 3 boat vs 3 boat format - the pinnacle of tactical sailing imho.

"They partied hard in the Royal St George Yacht Club and beyond and it was a fine example of the 'Elmo Ethos' - in memorial of Graham Elmes who was a superb ambassador for the sport and the event aspires to and succeeds to drive joy in the participation in sport generally and team racing with your mates in particular. He would be proud. Friendship across borders comes to mind."

John Sheehy, event director, takes a big bow for a fabulous effort from a team of approx 50 volunteers all making things slick and fun. Commodore Mark and Frank Elmes gave well received context to the Helly Hanson sponsored prize giving.

The 'Rutland Raiders' emerged victorious at a sailing event over the weekend. Image credit: Steve Tylecote.

The 8th Elmo trophy, Ireland's top youth team racing event, goes to the UK this year, as the Rutland captain Jamie Tylecote dryly observed, it was a sweet revenge after Irish universities took the UK crown earlier this year.

The Rutland Raiders winning team was Jamie Tylecote, Harry Burges, Tom Coates, Harry Rowlands, William Fearn and Dylan Beatty.