200 Youth Sailors from 28 Clubs Ready for Competition at Dun Laoghaire

4th April 2018

A total of 8 races are scheduled in the Laser 4.7 rig on Dublin Bay Credit: Afloat.ie

The Volvo Irish Sailing Youth Pathway National Championships start tomorrow at the Royal St. George Yacht Club and National Yacht Club in Dun Laoghaire Harbour on Dublin Bay. As previously reported by Afloat.ie, this is Ireland’s biggest youth sailing regatta with nearly 200 young sailors from around Ireland and over 28 clubs represented.

The regatta starts tomorrow (5-8 April) with races open to all young sailors who sail in the five Irish Sailing Youth Pathway Classes (Laser Radial, Laser 4.7, 420, Topper and Optimist).

There’ll be three race courses, five classes, three evening talks, and 32 counties represented.

2018 Pick of the Favourites

420 ballyholme2 420 racing at Ballyholme in last year's youth championships

420 class

Girls: Gemma McDowell & Emma Gallagher, Malahide Yacht Club

Boys: Micheal O’Suilleabhain and Michael Caroll, Royal Cork Yacht Club

A total of 11 races are scheduled. 4 races required to be completed to constitute a championship.

Laser Radial

Girls: Claire Gorman, National YC

Boys: Peter Fagan, Tom Higgins and Jamie McMahon

A total of 11 races are scheduled. 4 races required to be completed to constitute a championship.

Laser 4.7

Munster Champion from last weekend in Baltimore Atlee Kohl from Royal Cork YC. Following last weekend’s form Finn Walker, RSGYC and Alana Coakley, RSGYC/RVYC will also be in contention in a tough fleet that boast 27 entries. A total of 8 races are scheduled. 3 races required to be completed to constitute a championship.

Topper

Hugh O’Connor of the National YC with home advantage but will face stiff competition from both Erin McIlwaine, Newcastle YC, and David Jones, Royal Cork YC.

In the Topper 4.2 the title is wide open with Adam Irvin of the NYC, Zoe Whitford of the East Antrim Boat club and Christian Houlihan of Blessington Sailing club amongst the contenders.

A total of 8 races are scheduled. 3 races required to be completed to constitute a championship.

Optimists

Hot competition makes it too close to call in the Optimist class but it is hard to ignore last weekend's performance by Justin Lucas in the Netherlands. A total of 13 races are scheduled in the Optimist trials. Four races required to be completed to constitute a championship.

Talent spotting

This is Ireland’s largest Youth regatta and Irish Sailing’s primary talent spotting event of the year for the Academy and Junior classes. Importantly, it’s also one of the few chances in the year when family and friends who are sail in different classes can all sail together at one regatta venue, competing on different courses but on the same waters, giving a brilliant opportunity for shared experiences, learning and fun.

Evening talks open to all

The evening talks from Irish Sailing Performance Director James O’Callaghan and coach Ross Killian along with sports psychologist Dr Kate Kirby, Jessie Barr and nutritionist Ronan Doherty are open to all the sailors and their parents.

Published in ISA

Tagged under

youth sailing

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Irish Sailing

The Irish Sailing Association, also known as Irish Sailing, is the national governing body for sailing, powerboating and windsurfing in Ireland.

Founded in 1945 as the Irish Dinghy Racing Association, it became the Irish Yachting Association in 1964 and the Irish Sailing Association in 1992.

Irish Sailing is a Member National Authority (MNA) of World Sailing and a member of the Olympic Federation of Ireland.

The Association is governed by a volunteer board, elected by the member clubs. Policy Groups provide the link with members and stakeholders while advising the Board on specialist areas. There is a professional administration and performance staff, based at the headquarters in Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin.

Core functions include the regulation of sailing education, administering racing and selection of Irish sailors for international competition. It is the body recognised by the Olympic Federation of Ireland for nominating Irish qualified sailors to be considered for selection to represent Ireland at the Olympic Games. Irish sailors have medalled twice at the Olympics – David Wilkins and Jamie Wikinson at the 1980 games, and Annalise Murphy at the 2016 games.

The Association, through its network of clubs and centres, offers curriculum-based training in the various sailing, windsurfing and powerboating disciplines. Irish Sailing qualifications are recognised by Irish and European Authorities. Most prominent of these are the Yachtmaster and the International Certificate of Competency.

It runs the annual All-Ireland Championships (formerly the Helmsman’s Championship) for senior and junior sailors.

The Association has been led by leading lights in the sailing and business communities. These include Douglas Heard, Clayton Love Junior, John Burke and Robert Dix.

Close to 100 sailors have represented Ireland at the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Membership of Irish Sailing is either by direct application or through membership of an affiliated organisation. The annual membership fee ranges from €75 for families, down to €20 for Seniors and Juniors.