Ballyholme Yacht Club played host to over 150 of Northern Ireland's most promising young sailors this past weekend (13–14 September) for the John Minnis RYA NI Youth Championships 2025. With a high number of entries and some new race formats on the cards, the event delivered thrilling competition, camaraderie, and a showcase of the region's sailing talent from grassroots to aspiring Olympians.

A competitor warm-up at the RYA Northern Ireland Youth Championships 

This year's championships introduced a more demanding format, expanding from the traditional six races to a goal of ten shorter races across the weekend. That, combined with a potential double-points, non-discardable medal race hanging over the sailors, would test sailors' endurance and mental game, mirroring the conditions of larger, international regattas.

Racing took place across three racecourses:

One dedicated to the OnBoard Regatta Fleet, blending racing with coaching for newcomers.

A junior course for the Topper, Optimist and RS Feva classes. And a Youth course for the ILCA and 29er fleets.

The event also doubled as the Sailing Schools Cup and the Club Shield.

With Summer on the way out and Autumn looming, the sun made short appearances as wind and rain swept the weekend. Race officers Aidan Pounder and Sheela Lewis put in a sterling effort to secure multiple races each day, but given the conditions, the medal race trial was postponed until next year.

Standout Performances across the Fleets: 

Optimist Fleet

1. Boy – Oliver Gundersen (SLYC/Campbell College)
2. Boy – Ollie Cooke (SLYC/Campbell College)
3. Girl – Livia Westhead (SLYC/Friends School Lisburn)

Topper

1. Adam Green (LEYC/Banbridge Academy)
2. Ben McCaldin (LEYC/Enniskillen Royal Grammar)
3. Leo West-Hurst (BYC/Campbell College)

1. Girl – Caroline Byrne (BYC/Methodist College Belfast)
2. Girl – Emma West-Hurst (BYC/Sullivan)
3. Girl – Penny Doig (EABC/Larne Grammar)

Topper 4.2

1. Boy – Max Boyd (BYC/Campbell Collage)
2. Boy – Ross McDiarmid (MYC/Pope John Paul's National School)
3. Boy – Daniel Long (Grosvenor Grammar)

1. Girl – Kitty Mcanlis (DSC/Regent House Grammar)
2. Girl – Aoife Pollard (CAYC/Carrickfergus Grammar)
3. Girl – Lucy Reynolds (DSC/Strangford College)

RS Feva

1. Emily & Annabel Ridout (BYC/Sullivan)
2. Ellie Nolan & Niamh Coman (RNIYC/Sullivan)
3. Jessica Dadley-Young & Sally Nixon (BYC/Strathearn School)

ILCA 4

1. Boy – Calum Pollard (BYC/Carrickfergus Grammar)
2. Boy – George Doig (BYC/Larne Grammar)
3. Boy – Jacob Browne (RStGYC/Blackrock College)

1. Girl – Zoe West-Hurst (BYC/Strathearn)
2. Girl – Alex Eadie (BYC/Strathearn)
3. Girl – Polly Robinson (BYC/Glenlola Collegiate)

ILCA 6

1. Daniel Palmer (BYC/Bangor Grammar School)
2. Cormac Byrne (BYC/Methodist College Belfast)
3. Harry Dunne (HYC/St Fintans High School)

1. Emily MaCafee (BYC/Glenlola Collegiate)
2. Isabel Nixon (BYC/Bloomfield Collegiate Belfast)
3. Alita Taylor (CAYC/Larne Grammar)

29er Fleet

1. Gemma Brady & Grace Keating (NYC/St Mary's Nenagh)
2. heo Madigan & Daniel McDaid (NYC/Gonzaga)
3.  Rory Whyte & Patrick Butler (NYC/Kilkenny College)

The Championship also forms the club programmes finale as the 'OnBoard' Regatta fleet take to the water in front of the club. This is a group of young sailors new to the sport who are supported in their first championships by RYANI & Ballyholme Coaching Staff. Over 40 entered this fleet showing positive increase in the grassroots of our sport at club level.

A Platform for Progress

The event is a cornerstone in the Northern Ireland Sailing Team programmes and forms part of the team selection process, particularly for the Topper and ILCA. With the season nearing its end, sailors brought their best form, making for tight racing and impressive displays of skill.

Ballyholme Yacht Club were winners of the Club Shield