ILCA Sailor Daniel Palmer is Overall Champion in RYA Northern Ireland Youth Sailing Championships for a Second Time

12th September 2023

ILCA sailor Daniel Palmer from Ballyholme Yacht Club secured the title of 2023 RYA Northern Ireland Overall Youth Sailing Champion Credit: Wavelength

Over the weekend, the RYA Northern Ireland Youth Sailing Championships took place at Ballyholme Yacht Club on Belfast Lough, attracting over 130 sailors from throughout Northern Ireland and beyond. The sailing event marked the start of the competitive season for some, and the end for others.

While the first day had favourable weather conditions, shift light winds conditions throughout the event posed a challenge to both the race committee and competitors. Some courses had to be modified, and some fleets could only completed one race throughout the weekend.

Despite the conditions, a 20-boat Optimist regatta fleet, led by club coaches, enjoyed favourable weather throughout and participated in a training session and several short races.

However, on the second day, the racecourse was shrouded in thick fog, resulting in no races being completed.

ILCA 6

Race 1 on Saturday saw a shortened course ending at the windward mark and BYC sailor Charlie O'Malley taking the win from CAYC's Rory Pollard, with Daniel Palmer in 3rd. Race 2 was a duel between BYC's Lewis Thompson and Daniel Palmer, with Thompson taking the win from Palmer, EABC's Zoe Whitford taking 3rd. Only two races were completed for the 6s.

ILCA 4

3 Races for the ILCA 4's saw Oleksandr Bezpalyi of MYC take the opening win; however, consistency was rewarded for Freddie Doig of EABC with a 3,2,2, leaving him top of the fleet on Saturday. CAYC's Luke Simpson finished day one strongly with two wins.

A combination of low wind and mist on Sunday morning meant no further races were completed, leaving the ILCA 6 Fleet in Saturday Order: 1st Daniel Palmer, 2nd Lewis Thompson, 3rd Charlie O'Malley (all BYC). 1st Girl was Zoe Whitford from EABC in 7th.

The ILCA 4 final standings were 1st Freddie Doig, 2nd Luke Simpson & 3rd Oleksandr Bezpalyi. 1st Girl was Annika Hunter of BYC.

The celebratory prize-giving ceremony saw commendations given to sailors of all levels, from first-time medal winners and junior champions to the top youth sailors.

RYA NI's Peter Kennedy with Daniel Palmer, the Overall Youth Champion and Male Youth Champion at the RYA Northern Ireland Youth Sailing Championships at Ballyholme Yacht Club

Daniel Palmer from Ballyholme Yacht Club was named the RYA Northern Ireland Youth Champion Overall.

Andrew Baker, the RYA Northern Ireland’s High Performance Manager, praised the event, stating that "the RYA Northern Ireland Youth Championships has always been fantastic. With the ILCA 6 Europeans to be held in Ballyholme YC next season, it was a great trial run for sailors and the club alike. The RYA Northern Ireland staff team are grateful to everyone involved."

RYA NI's Peter Kennedy with Annika Hunter, the 2023 Female Youth Champion at the RYA Northern Ireland Youth Sailing Championships at Ballyholme Yacht Club

Junior OPI
3rd (First Girl) Penny Doig EABC
2nd Alex Butcher Malahide YC
1st George Doig EABC

Topper 4.2
3rd Girl: Alex Eadie, BYC 3rd: Boy: Tom Denning, Skerries SC
2nd Girl: Chloe Walls, Skerries YC 2nd Boy: Ben Brownlees, EABC
1st Girl: Polly Robinson, BYC 1st Boy: & 1st Overall: Adam Green LEYC (support by John Merricks)

Topper Full Rig
3rd Girl: Kate Kenny, Wexford Harbour BTC 3rd Boy: Tom Driscoll, Ballyholme YC
2nd Girl: Siun Ni Choistealbha, Malahide YC 2nd Boy: Leo Doherty, Sligo YC
1st girl: Iseult Spiers, Ballyholme YC 1st Boy: 1st Overall: Rory Brennan Hobbs, National Yacht Club

RS Feva
3rd overall and 1st All Girl: Emily & Annabel Rideout, Ballyholme YC
2nd: Felix Dion & Lucas Browne, National YC
1st : Matthew Holden & Peter Rideout, Ballyholme YC

29er Fleet
3rd overall & 1st all girl: Ella Fitzgerald & Lisa Flynn, National YC
2nd overall: Katie Brown & Hunter Reddy, Balyholme YC
1st: Oisin Pierce & Fion Daly, Royal Cork YC

ILCA 4
3rd Girl: Isabel Nixon, Ballyholme YC 3rd Boy: Oleksandr Bezpalyi, Malahide YC
2nd Girl: Abbie Stocking, East Down YC 2nd Boy: Luke Simpson, CAYC
1st Girl: Annika Hunter, Ballyholme YC 1st Boy & 1st overall: Freddie Doig, EABC

ILCA 6
3rd Girl: Autumn Halliday, SLYC 3rd Boy: Charlie O’Mallie, Ballyholme YC
2nd Girl: Charlotte Eadie, Ballyholme YC 2nd: Lewis Thompson, BYC
1st Girl: Zoe Whitford, EABC 1st Boy & 1st Overall: Daniel Palmer, BYC

Published in RYA Northern Ireland

Tagged under

youth sailing

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