Cora McNaughton and Isha Duggan are 2024 Irish Sailing Junior Champions’ Cup Winners

22nd September 2024

Cora McNaughton from Blessington Sailing Club and Isha Duggan from Royal Cork Yacht Club are the 2024 Junior Champion of Champions

Cora McNaughton from Blessington Sailing Club and Isha Duggan from Royal Cork Yacht Club have been crowned the 2024 Junior Champion of Champions. The duo, nominated from the 420 class, clinched the title at the Fastnet Marine Outdoor & Education Centre in Schull, West Cork. Their victory came after an impressive performance over the weekend, securing three wins and two other top-three finishes.

Coming in a close second, with just one point difference, were Daniel Copthorne and Killian Power from Schull Harbour Sailing Club/Schull Community College Sailing Club. Third place went to David and Sinead Evans from Sligo Yacht Club.

The weekend kicked off with favourable racing conditions on Saturday, with a good breeze allowing for prompt race starts despite some shifty winds. Daniel and Killian made a strong start by winning the first race, with Cora and Isha following closely in second place. Riona McMorrow Moriarty from Tralee Bay SC and Andrew Kingston from RCYC also delivered solid performances throughout the weekend, each securing a first-place finish in races six and three, respectively. The Race Committee adeptly adjusted the course to accommodate the changing wind conditions, ensuring a total of six races were completed.

The second day saw a quiet start as competitors patiently awaited the wind to pick up. Despite the wind dropping off, the committee managed to conduct two races on Sunday. However, due to insufficient wind for a medal race, the standings were left unchanged after eight races, securing Cora McNaughton and Isha Duggan's position at the top as Irish Sailing Youth National Champions.

Irish Sailing would like to thank Sinead Scully and her team from Fastnet Marine & Outdoor Education Centre for their efforts and hard work over the weekend, both on and off the water. Thank you also to the Principal Race officer Nigel Biggs and his team along with Umpires Ian Venner and Tim O'Connor and their team and finally also to Safety Leader Ronan Duggan and his team and all the volunteers who gave of their time over the weekend.

The Irish Sailing Senior Champions’ Cup is next on the calendar, taking place at the Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club on the 4^th to 6^th of October.

Published in Irish Sailing, 420, Youth Sailing, West Cork

Published in Irish 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.