Displaying items by tag: youth sailing
137 Dinghy Sailors Contest RYA NI Youth Sailing Championships at Carrickfergus
A huge fleet of 121 dinghies took to the waters of Belfast Lough from Carrickfergus Sailing Club on the north shore on Saturday and Sunday (11th and 12th) for the Royal Yachting Association NI Youth Championships. The 137 youth sailors came from all over Ireland, racing in seven categories over two courses. The Championships was an Open event with RYANI special performance prizes.
The weather was kind, albeit perhaps not enough wind for some and competitors who had three races in light and variable conditions on Day 1 with four races for the ILCA 4 and ILCA 6 fleets. Wind shifts were plentiful, and some sailors were alert enough to see them coming. On Sunday, with the wind dropping, there was a delayed start and Race Officers Robin Gray and Sheela Lewis then managed to complete a single race for each class.
There were six regatta fleet races over the weekend with coaches Dave Nelson, Chris and Jessica Penney delivering training as part of the event. The fleet was a mix of Topper 4.2s and ILCA 4s but it was the Toppers from Lough Erne YC who dominated the score sheet with Charlie Valentine 1st, Emily Torrens 2nd and Ben McCaldin third.
In the seven-strong Optimist fleet at the end of the first day, Matthew Holden from Ballyholme YC on Belfast Lough and Freddie Doig from East Antrim BC on Larne Lough were tied on 5 points, but Doig's first and second on the Sunday gave him first overall by one point.
The largest turnout came in the Topper 5.3 group with 34 on the line. Here Bobby Driscoll of Royal North started with three bullets, stamping his domination right away. In second was Luke Simpson from the County Antrim YC, a few miles east of Carrickfergus, eight points behind on 11. Another first for Driscoll in Race 4 gave him a clean run which couldn't be beaten and Simpson had to be satisfied with second place.
The smaller Topper 4.2 fleet at 10 strong, provided closer racing with another CAYC sailor, Calum Pollard scoring two seconds and sixth to lead overnight narrowly from Hugo Boyd of Ballyholme. In the end Boyd tied with Pollard with the tie split in Boyd's favour.
Daniel Palmer from Ballyholme began emphatically, scoring three firsts in the 18 strong ILCA 4 (Laser 4.7) fleet. After the second day, Palmer had the title sewn up with another two bullets. Lucy Ives of Carlingford Lough YC who counted two seconds, a third and a fourth finished runner up.
Of the 23 competitors in the ILCA 6 (Laser Radial ) after four races, Tom Coulter of East Antrim came away with a winning score of 5 points. Ellen Barbour of County Antrim YC and East Antrim discarded a 20th but held onto the runner up slot with Hannah Dadley-Young from Ballyholme in third.
In the only two-handed fleet, the 29ers, most of the competitors came from Southern clubs and it was three of these who finished top three overall. And it was this fleet who prove to be too eager to cross the line at the start of the fourth race – so much so that ten of the 16 were Black Flagged. Timothy Norwood and Nathan van Steenberge of Royal Irish in Dun Laoghaire were able to discard the Black Flag score of 17 and finished comfortably ahead of Emily and Jessica Riordan of the neighbouring club, Royal St. George.
RYA Northern Ireland's High Performance Manager, Andrew Baker, commented: "It was fantastic to be at Carrickfergus Sailing Club for the RYA Northern Ireland Youth Championships. The venue was excellent, and I would like to extend my thanks to everyone at the Club for their hard work and enthusiasm to ensure the weekend was such a success. It has been another challenging year for sport and I am delighted that we were able to run this event and I thank everyone for adhering to all COVID guidelines that were set in place". He added: "All of the sailors have done themselves proud this weekend and we are looking forward to seeing their progression as they continue to train throughout the year."
The championship prizes were, of course, all awarded to Northern Ireland boats.
Royal Yachting Association NI Youth Championships Overall Awards
Female Junior Champion
Katie Brow - Ballyholme Yacht Club
Male Junior Champion
Bobby Driscoll – Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club
Female Youth Champion
Ellen Barbour – County Antrim Yacht Club
Male Youth Champion
Daniel Palmer – Ballyholme Yacht Club
Northern Ireland Schools Cup
Larne
Northern Ireland Club Trophy
Ballyholme Yacht Club
Junior Champion
Bobby Driscoll – Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club
Youth Champion
Daniel Palmer – Ballyholme Yacht Club
For full results here
Walsh & Wright Continue to Lead Laser Divisions at Royal Cork Championships But O'Shaughnessy Now on Top in Radials
Friday's fleet leaders continue at the top in two of three divisions of the AIB sponsored Laser National Championships at Royal Cork Yacht Club, going into the final day of competition in Cork Harbour.
After eight races sailed, 99 boats compete across the three fleets at Crosshaven, with locals leading two divisions.
Eleven Races under London Olympic Race Officer Jack Roy were scheduled, with the final races sailed this Sunday.
Cork Harbour's Nick Walsh leads a 14-boat standard fleet with a 12-point lead over clubmate Edward Rice. Monkstown Bay's Robert Howe is third.
The host club has a grip on the biggest fleet of the championships, with RCYC youths filling the top three places in the Radial class. However, two UFD penalties have ruined one-time leader Michael Crosbie's perfect scoresheet with clubmate Jonathan O'Shaughnessy now on top of the 49 boat division.
After some intense competition at Dun Laoghaire Harbour during last week's 4.7 Youth World Championships on Dublin Bay, a 35-boat fleet is back on the water again, and it continues to be led by Howth Yacht Club's Rocco Wright now with an 11 point margin from Royal Cork's Oisin MacSweeney. Wright's clubmate Luke Turvey stays third.
Racing continues at Royal Cork this morning and conditions are expected to be light with winds under ten knots from the south.
Overall results are here
Northern Ireland Youth Sailors Competing at High Levels
It has been a busy August for several young Laser sailors from Northern Ireland clubs who have competed at a high level in the RYA Youth Nationals at Plymouth, the UK Laser Association Nationals at Weymouth and the World Laser ILCA 4/4.7 Championships in Dun Laoghaire.
In the RYA Youth Nationals at Plymouth, Tom Coulter from East Antrim Boat Club in the County Antrim `port of Larne placed 24th in the ILCA 6 fleet with Josh McGregor and Lucas Nixon (both Ballyholme in Belfast Lough) 35th and 39th respectively. Ellen Barbour of County Antrim YC at Whitehead, also on Belfast Lough, finished a creditable 8th of 23 in the Girls section.
In the UK, Laser Association Nationals in Weymouth Coulter was 23rd in ILCA 6, having made the Gold Fleet and in the Silver fleet Josh McGregor (BYC) came 9th, one ahead of Ellen Barbour. And Lucas Nixon, also from Ballyholme, was 31st.
After this flurry of events, Tom Coulter spoke for the Northern Ireland contingent; "Lots of learning this past couple of weeks, and lots to build upon as we go forward. We have had the best time over the last ten days, with all of us having highs and lows at some point. It's been a fantastic experience both on and off the water with the best people, and I've loved every minute".
To round off that spate of activity, down the road in Dublin Bay were the Laser ILCA 4 /Laser 4.7 Worlds at Dun Laoghaire hosted by the Royal St George and the National YC. There, in the Silver fleet, Hannah Dadley-Young from Ballyholme finished 17th, Zoe Whitford from East Antrim at Larne came 29th in the 40-boat fleet and Daniel Corbett, also from Ballyholme, was 53rd in the Boys Silver fleet.
The next big gathering will be the RYA NI Youth Championships at Carrickfergus SC on Belfast Lough on 11th and 12th September. There will, where numbers permit, be racing for ILCA 4s, 5s and 7s, 420s, 29ers, Topper 5.3, Topper 4.2, Optimist and RS Feva. A regatta fleet is also part of the event where less experienced sailors can race under the guidance of a race coach.
Irish Youth Sailors Competing in First Races of Laser/ILCA 4.7 World Championships at Dun Laoghaire Harbour
Dun Laoghaire Harbour is filled with sails this week as 229 boys and girls compete at the Laser/ILCA 4.7 Youth World Championships hosted jointly by the harbour's National Yacht Club and Royal St. George Yacht Clubs.
Youth competitors from 31 different countries are taking part in the event which, say the organisers, makes it one of the largest international sporting events taking place in Ireland this year.
Both boys and girls divisions completed a full schedule of two races on separate Dublin Bay race courses today in shifty 10 to 15 knots of breeze from the South West.
Best of the Irish boys was local Archie Daly who finished the day 38th in a fleet of 149 competitors. Tralee Bay's Eimer Mcmorrow Moriarty in 21st place in a fleet of 80 is the best of the girls.
The girl's division is provisionally being led overnight by Annemijn Algra (NED) with Emma Mattivi (ITA) in second and Petra Marednic (CRO) is lying third.
Annemijn Algra from the Netherlands (NED), who is leading the girls division overnight comes with high hopes after winning the European Championships, which was part of the 132nd Travemünde Week in Germany only 10 days ago.
The boy's division is provisionally being led overnight by Martins Atilla (LAT) with Daniel Cardona Balsa (ESP) Alp Hosgör (TUR) is lying third.
First U16 Girl is Signe Brinkert (NED) and Boy is Alexandros Eleftheriadis (GRE).
Both divisions compete for two more days in a qualifying series and a further three days in the finals series to eventually decide who will be crowned the 2021ILCA 4.7 World Champion.
Boys results are here for and girls here
Racing continues tomorrow from 10:30 am
Howth Yacht Club's Eve McMahon (17) has won the Laser Radial (ILCA 6) Youth World Championships in a stunning performance on Lake Garda this afternoon.
As Afloat reported yesterday, the Paris 2024 campaigner has been in a podium position at the Italian venue all week and more often than not on top of the 55-boat leaderboard.
The soon to be sixth-year student led by five points from Czech Republic's Alessia Palanti on 28 points going in to the final races.
The Dubliner counted two sevens to win comfortably with a 13 point cushion in a consistent scoreline that counted three race wins.
Her main rival Palanti was overhauled by Swiss girl Anja Von Allmen who had a strong 1,2 finish to claim the silver medal. The Czech girl rued a DSQ and finished fourth overall to Sara Savelli who pinched third on the final day.
McMahon adds the title to the fourth-place finish at U21 ILCA 6 European Championships scored in June in Montenegro plus the U19 title at the same venue and before that silver in the EURILCA Laser Radial Youth Championships in Croatia.
The ILCA 6 Youth World Championships are open to sailors who were 18 or younger on the registration day, July 23, but at least 15 years of age.
Download full results below
World Sailing is delighted to announce that the 50th edition of the Youth Sailing World Championships will be held at Mussanah Sports City, Oman, from 11-18 December 2021.
Mussanah Sports City has played host to several Olympic class sailing events, including the Laser World Championships in 2013 and the RS:X World Championships in 2015. In April this year, the venue hosted the 2021 Mussanah Open Championship, a Tokyo 2020 qualification event for African and Asian nations.
Located approximately 100km north of Muscat International Airport, Mussanah is a top-class, purpose-built sporting venue, capable of hosting large-scale events and facilitating hundreds of athletes. It is renowned for its high-quality sailing conditions all year round. During December, temperatures are expected to be around 24°C on average, while the average wind strength is expected to be around 10-17 knots.
Quanhai Li, World Sailing President, said, “For the last five decades, the Youth Sailing World Championships have provided young athletes from all around the world with the opportunity to showcase their talent and test themselves against the very best opposition.
“The Youth Worlds also allows young sailors to learn about the importance of sport and fair competition, and to forge lifelong friendships with like-minded people from all corners of the globe. It is a hugely important event on our calendar, and it is with great pleasure that we can announce this year’s hosts. I am confident that Oman Sail will put on a fantastic show.”
David Graham, Chief Executive Officer at World Sailing, said, “The sailors at the Youth Worlds are the future stars of our sport and we aim to provide the best possible experience for them. We were really impressed with both Oman’s and Malta’s bids, and it was a tough choice for the Evaluation Panel, with both venues demonstrating the expertise to host a memorable championship.
“Oman’s outstanding facilities and sailing conditions will help to make this Youth Worlds a memorable one for all involved.”
Dr Khamis Al Jabri, Chief Executive Officer at Oman Sail, said, "We are delighted to have been selected as host nation for the 2021 Youth World Sailing Championships presented by Hempel, following a very competitive bid process. Oman has a proven track record in hosting major international sporting events, and we look forward to welcoming the best young sailors from around the world to experience the Sultanate’s legendary hospitality and majestic waters later this year.
“With its superb maritime facilities, Mussanah is internationally recognised as a leading destination for sailing events. I look forward to seeing our outstanding staging and race management teams deliver yet another memorable event on our shores that will have long-lasting socio-economic benefits for the Sultanate of Oman.”
World Sailing received two high-quality bids to host the 2021 Youth Worlds, with Oman selected ahead of Valletta, Malta by a Youth Worlds Evaluation Panel before final approval by the Board of Directors.
The Youth Worlds will be a prime example of Oman’s commitment to the environment with preservation of the natural resources embedded in every activity. As part of Oman’s Vision 2040 priorities, the staging of this tournament will drive greater awareness of the importance of environmental sustainability and ensuring Oman’s beautiful natural landscape is protected long into the future.
The last Youth Sailing World Championships were held in Gydnia, Poland in 2019, where 409 sailors from 66 nations competed across nine youth events, including the Boy's and Girl's divisions of the 29er, 420, RS:X and Laser Radial, as well as the Mixed Multihull, the Nacra 15. The 2020 Youth Worlds were scheduled to be held in Salvador, Brazil, in December 2020, but the event was unfortunately cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Planning for this year’s edition of the event has taken into consideration any relevant precautions required for everyone travelling to Oman, with further information regarding the event to be announced in due course.
Every sport sees it happen. Young enthusiastic kids who can't get enough training, competing, fitness, drills, and dreams of making it big writes Paul O'Hare of Rush Sailing Club.
Many then drift away from the sport they loved as they get into their late teens and 20's. Sport gets replaced with studies, college, travel, partners, new careers, marriage, family, and maybe realising that they are not the next Cluxton, Keane, O'Driscoll, or Murphy. Finally, after 10 or 15 years, they get back to the sport they once loved, but now with their own kids.
In sailing, this is an all too familiar story as young sailors, tossed about on the seas of Ireland in single-handed Oppies, Toppers and Lasers, give up the sport during their adolescence. It's hard then to get back into a small dinghy when they are older, so many give up sailing altogether.
Well, the fine people at Rush Sailing Club in North County Dublin have watched this happen throughout the generations, from the club's inception in 1954 to the modern day. They've put together a plan to keep these young adults in the sport by making it exciting, inclusive, competitive and fun. Central to this drive is the club's acquisition of two J/24 racing keelboats. The club chose this popular and competitive boat with 5,500 boats sailing in 165 fleets throughout 110 countries. Crews range from four to six people, and the boat is an ideal all-rounder, offering exciting racing to experienced sailors but a safe introduction to novices (that's right, it has a keel so it won't capsize! Mostly). The boat can be trailered to events and is suitable for all kinds of weather.
The team in Rush are lead by two 20-year old committee members, David Kelly (Sailing Sec) and Lauren O'Hare (Senior Instructor, SI). They are putting together a team racing schedule with the new boats and some other multi-crewed boats that the club own. Team racing draws in members of all ages as Rush family dynasties are pitted against each other. Novices will sail alongside seasoned veterans in a winner-takes-all season. In addition, young crews aim to compete around Ireland & the UK against other clubs in this highly competitive class. The club aims to boost sailing with competition on the water, enhancing the membership experience for all.
The boats are aptly named 'Juvenile Delinquent' and 'Out of Control'. They were purchased second hand in Southampton at the start of the lockdown, and in typical RSC fashion, they were sourced, collected, gutted and restored by the club's members under the stewardship of Commodore David Kelly (senior). Sponsorship provided by local businesses and members allowed the club to put the boats on the water with zero cost to the membership!
So, if you've never sailed but would love to give it a try, or if you want to get back to sailing, or if you fancy a bit of high-octane competitive fun, then contact RSC, where a new sport, hobby and obsession awaits you.
Getting Young People Back Sailing in Cork Harbour
Clubs are hoping to get young sailors back into activity with the easing of restrictions on training. However, as in all sports, there is some concern about the effects of the lengthy restrictions on youth's interest in sport.
Principal Coach at the Royal Cork in Crosshaven, Ben Fusco, says: "We are looking forward to the return to Junior Coaching on the May weekend. Preparations are well underway to get all of our junior and youth sailors back on the water and shaking off the cobwebs of an extended off-season. We have a robust training plan in place for each of the Classes."
With the easing of restrictions for junior training, Monkstown Bay SC in Cork Harbour says that it will be starting its Sunday morning coaching sessions for Optimists. It has also opened applications for this year's sailing courses.
Applications will close at the end of May, the club says.
More Young Sailors Going Offshore is an Encouraging Trend - SCORA's Daragh Connolly
More young sailors are interested in racing offshore, an encouraging trend that should be fostered. It can help to bridge the problems that have been encountered in sailing where younger sailors have been lost to the sport in bridging the gap from dinghy to cruiser racing.
Younger sailors have been featuring more in South Coast racing and are included on the crews of leading Cork boats.
The newly-elected Commodore of the South Coast Offshore Racing Association (SCORA), Daragh Connolly, sees this as a particularly positive and encouraging trend.
"I cut my teeth in coastal, offshore racing. It is an exciting part of the sport and I'm encouraged and very positive about this. It is part of the renewed and growing interest in coastal racing," he says in this week's podcast, where he also talks about liaising with ISORA, the successful 450 Dun Laoghaire to Cork Race and the three south coast yachts which have entered for the Fastnet Race.
There are two boats from his own club and one from that of the new Vice-Commodore of SCORA, Dave Cullinane from Kinsale YC. From the RCYC - Noel Coleman's Blue Oyster and Denis/Annemarie Murphy's Nieulargo. From Kinsale Cian McCarthy's Cinnamon Girl.
"For the season ahead, perhaps offshore could start on the Cork coast even if with restricted crewing. More racing outside Cork Harbour will be a positive experience for SCORA boats and challenging. The entry of 21 boats for last year's Navy Race, which was switched from inside to outside the harbour due to the Covid situation, showed the interest and that included white sail as well as spinnaker. There is a positive role here for more development and I am positive and hopeful. Despite the challenges which we face from Covid which has impacted so much on sailing, as soon as we have the clearance to go, you can be sure that SCORA will be there and ready. Despite the difficulties and challenges, I am positive for the future. We have a good team in place at SCORA and will carefully plan for the season ahead, allowing for the restrictions and limitations in place at present."
Listen to the podcast below
2021 Irish Sailing Youth Nationals Moves to October at Royal Cork
Less than a week after Irish Sailing said it was 'proceeding as planned' with its Youth Sailing Nationals event in April at Royal Cork Yacht Club, the national governing body announced yesterday it was shelving its Easter date for Cork Harbour and postponing the event due to ongoing COVID restrictions.
Such are the times we live in that the 2021 sailing fixture list is now subject to change. Racing for 29ers, 420s, Toppers, Laser 4.7, and Laser Radial will now be held at Royal Cork from 28-31 October.
Irish Sailing coach Sean Evans said “We could see during the month that the numbers weren’t coming down quickly enough and that Level 5 restrictions would be likely to continue. That’s why we had already planned in an alternative October date. Now that the longer restrictions are confirmed, we’re putting this new plan in place".
Irish Optimist Trials
Meanwhile, the Irish Optimist Trials, that normally formed part of the Youth Nationals regatta, will race separately in May at the Royal St. George Yacht Club as Afloat reported here. While COVID lockdown has restricted plans for pre-trials training, coach Peter Fagan has been updating on the Dun Laoghaire Optimist Group 'DOGs' programme here.
The Irish youth sailing nationals move follows a similar move in the UK where the RYA has moved its Easter Youth Nationals at Plymouth to August.