Carmel Winkelmann, An Appreciation

Carmel was one of a kind she was a mentor, a rainmaker but first and foremost,  she was a mother not only to her three children Adam, Lucy and Paul but to everyone who met her in her long and full life.

I am very fortunate to have been  part of her story. Carmel had a great sense of humour and was always happy to meet people who had an interest in sailing. Carmel had a place in her heart for everyone, from the owners of super yachts to the one-handed Laser sailor, it just did not matter, she wanted people to enjoy the water as much as she did. 

Carmel loved life and rarely complained about anything, always seeing the better side of the day. She could  lift us up with a funny story when we needed a laugh, always encouraging us to do our best.  She also treasured the RIYC staff often bringing them gifts on special occasions.  

Carmel became a life mentor to many not only to young sailors, who were part of her junior sailing program in the mid-sixties, but also to young people trying to qualify for events in Ireland at national levels and at international and Olympic competitions, competing for Ireland on the world stage.

During her time as junior organiser, she equipped junior sailors with the skills to sail in competitions or for cruising. Many yacht clubs around Ireland modelled their junior programs on the sail training program developed by Carmel.

Dublin Bay Sailing Club was a big part of Carmel’s life, she ran the west pier hut for many years and enjoyed the racing and craic that they had there. She was brilliant at reading sailing instructions and was great at picking up any typos or errors in the NOR’s or yearbook that DBSC published every year until recent times.  I have heard countless stories from people who said were it not for Carmel’s influence they would not have continued to sail and race.

If you needed something done ask Carmel, she just made it happen. A brilliant organiser she could visualise what was about to happen. She had a vast knowledge in all things sailing and was an expert on flag etiquette. If the flags were displayed incorrectly, she would be very quick to let people know.

Carmel always moved with the times, learned how to use a computer and was a great communicator by phone or email and regular Facebook user. She always kept up with the times and loved all things new. She never lost that sparkle in her eye.

May She Rest in Peace.

Pat Shannon
Commodore