After 20 years of Dragon racing, Mick Cotter finally achieved his goal of National Champion in Whisper following a thrilling final race on Dublin Bay yesterday.

Andrew Craig became runner-up for his first time.

Going into yesterday's single final race, Cotter's sole rival in the 29 boat fleet was Craig on Chimaera who had a technical lead as both were tied on points. While Des Cummins led the fleet in the final, Cotter and Craig were neck and neck with John Lavery and Das Boot thrown into the mix for good measure.

Approaching the finish, all three were closely bunched as the 20 knot northerly breeze powered them upwind towards the line. At 20 boat lengths to go, Craig possibly had the edge and tacked to leeward of Das Boot to break for line. But, crucially, they were slow sheeting on the genoa giving the other two boats the edge and Chimaera ended fourth giving the event to Whisper.

Past Champion Simon Brien on Kin took third at the front end of what was clearly a separate pack as the two leaders had a whopping 30 point lead. In six races, Cotter and Craig had overlapping finishes and the series soon became a private duel. Going into the final starting sequence, the pair appeared to match race for starting line position.