With the 2009 ISAF Youth Worlds just over a month away, ISA Youth & Development Manager Rory Fitzpatrick profiles the team that will represent Ireland at the world's most prestigious youth event, often a marker for future Olympic contenders. The 2009 ISAF Youth Sailing World Championship will be held in Buzios, Brazil from the 10 – 18th July. After what has been regarded as the hardest fought trials Ireland has ever had for the prestigious slots the team has been formed. Four sailors and two coaches will form the IRL challenge with Jane Butler and Jennifer Andreasson (Royal St. George YC) in the two-handed 420 girls class, Matty O’Dowd (Royal St. George YC) in the Laser Radial boys class and Saskia Tidey (Royal Irish YC) in the Laser Radial girls' class.
Collars will be sharpened and buttons shined this time around with smart sailing gear for the event kindly supported by Curradinghy Sailing and Zhik.
Team Ireland
Jane Butler from Rathfarnham, Co. Dublin, turns 17 this year and trains out of the Royal St. George YC. Her partnership with Jenny Andreasson emerges from an optimist rivalry which flowed into an RS Feva teaming aged 14 before the pair moved to the 420 class a year later.
Jane’s progression follows directly in the footsteps of her brother Ed Butler who competed in the 2008 ISAF World Youth Championship in the 29er skiff class. Ed has now progressed to the Olympic 49er class with Peter Duggan who also holds ISAF Youth Worlds pedigree finishing 6th overall in the 420 in 2006.
Jennifer Andreasson is the crew in the 420 partnership. A year younger than Butler, her athleticism and energy provide the balance in the sleek edged match up. Having just turned 16yrs Jennifer has two more years to tackle international youth sailing. Strong support has come from the parents on the Andreasson side and those who know them are always aware that her father Jorgen is always on hand to document the progress on film for Clockwork Films.
Radial sailor Saskia Tidey will turn 16 this June. The ISAF Youth Worlds have been an ambition for Saskia and leading into winter 2008 she set to work sailing four to five days a week under the guidance of Timmy Goodbody (who just won the Star Eastern Hemisphere Championship) out of the Royal Irish YC.
The ambition paid off early in May when she placed 3rd youth girl in a UK Laser Qualifier to book her ticket on the plane to Brazil. Saskia is also a member of the Irish Net ball team. Parents Barbara and Don are keen to see her represent her nation solo and under sail as much as on the court.
Matty O’Dowd hails from a strong sailing family. His father Don O’Dowd is well known from his exploits at the forefront of the Irish Dragon fleet. Matty put school rugby in 'Rock on the shelf for transition year and went head down into his laser training programme over the past eight months to fend off the challenge of top Irish international radial sailors in the trials.
Matty has also placed top youth boy in a spring UK qualifier to prove his international competitiveness to the Olympic Steering group for selection.
With all of the sailors competing this year coming to the end of fourth year in secondary school it goes to show that the level of preparation time afforded in transition year has given these sailors the best chance to prepare to the level of our rival countries. Huge enthusiasm, focus and determination on the part of the sailors, as well as rounded support from parents, coaches, schools and sailing clubs have been central to the sailors getting to this point.
