Irish Optimist Worlds, European & International Teams Announced

10th May 2013

Afloat.ie Team

Irish Optimist Worlds, European & International Teams Announced

Three Irish junior sailing squads were announced at Royal Cork Yacht Club last weekend at the end of the Irish Optimist class trials in Cork Harbour.

The top 56 Optimist youth sailors in Ireland were in Royal Cork Yacht Club for the second leg of the 2013 series.

The Trials took place over two long weekends. Comprising 16 races it was the selection process for the 2013 Optimist teams. 19 sailors will compete in the Optimist World Championships (Lake Garda), European Championships(Lake Balaton, Hungary) and the French Nationals (Crozon, Brittany).

In addition, all sailors in their 12th year or younger will be selected for the Under 12 squad which will compete in the UK Optimist Nationals in Largs, Scotland.

As well as a runway performance by the Durcan twins, a stand out performance by 11-year old Clare Gorman of Dun Laoghaire qualified her for the Europeans squad. The National Yacht Club sailor became the youngest sailor to reach that level and was the only junior in the top 19 who were invited onto the 3 Irish teams ( she came 12th).

Europeans2013

The Europeans team: Peter Fagan SSC, Richard McGinley, Rebecca O'Shaughnessy RCYC, Gemma McDowell MYC, Loghlen Rickard, Clare Gorman NYC and Alex O'Grady HYC

IDT2013

The International Development Team: Jamie O'Grady HYC, Heather Spain, Dara Donnelly, Hugh Perrette NYC, Ros Morgan, Ben Walsh SSC and Kelly Williams RCYC

Photos: Mainsheet Images

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