Irish sailors Ben O’Shaughnessy (Royal Cork Yacht Club) and Ethan Spain (National Yacht Club) have won Gold at the 49er U23 European Championships in Sicily.
The Irish pair delivered a confident performance throughout the regatta, remaining tied for the lead before sealing victory with a decisive win on Sunday (9 November), one point clear of Italy’s Lorenzo Pezzilli and Tobia Torroni.
Light winds affected the regatta during the week, with racing postponed on Day 2. But Ben and Ethan made the most of the final day’s challenging conditions, building on their impressive senior debut earlier this year which saw promising results including a race win and a second place.
Ben O’Shaughnessy and Ethan Spain topping the podium with (left) Italy’s Lorenzo Pezzilli and Tobia Torroni and (right) former 29er World Champions Alex Demurtas & Giovanni Santi, also from Italy
Also competing at the event were three Irish crews in the 49erFX/Women’s Skiff, including Erin McIlwaine (Newcastle Yacht Club) and Ellen Barbour (County Antrim Yacht Club) from Northern Ireland who finished sixth overall delivering a second, fourth and sixth place as some of their best.
Lucia Cullen (Royal St George) and Alana Twomey (Royal Cork) finished 14th and can a boast a second- and third-place finish from the competition. Lauren O’Callaghan (National YC) and Charlotte Eadie (Ballyholme Yacht Club) were 15th overall with a fourth and ninth as their best results.
