Ballyholme Yacht Club’s Liam Glynn has secured a personal best and 43rd overall after six days of racing against 126 international competitors at the Laser European Championships in Gdansk, Poland.
Northern Ireland sailor Glynn, who had been unable to train during lockdown, confirmed he is glad to be back in action — not least after starting the competition as the leading Irish sailor, topping Team Ireland’s Rio 2016 Olympic rep Finn Lynch.
“I feel so lucky to be back on the racing circuit,” he said. “We had offshore conditions most the week which made for some very high points racing but I was very happy with my tactical calls throughout the week.
“Growing up doing club racing in shifty conditions at Ballyholme has definitely paid off. It was nice to have some races at the top of the gold fleet and it brings me a lot of confidence for next season — if I can iron out a few weaknesses and get used to racing among the best sailors in the world.”
Looking ahead, the Belfast Lough sailor is some time off to reset and is then entering into training for the next season.
He said: “I have a few plans in place for the winter with Irish team camps and training regattas in Vilamoura, Malta and Palma.
“I hope to get away to events and training abroad but I am also lucky to have our team high performance centre in Dublin to continue training if travel becomes too difficult again.”
Andrew Baker, RYA Northern Ireland’s performance manager, shared his delight with Glynn’s latest performance.
He says: “Liam has continued to show progression within a world class international field. His result of 43rd is a personal best and his individual race results includes three in the top 15.
“I am looking forward to catching up with Liam when he has some time now at home and support him continuing into next season.”
Finn Lynch battled through the week to reach 13th overall in the Gold Fleet, while Howth’s Ewan McMahon placed 43rd in the Silver Fleet. The men’s Laser Radial saw Ireland’s highest placing, as Tom Higgins finished sixth (fourth among U21s).
As previously reported on Afloat.ie, Annalise Murphy finished the week in 27th, with performance team-mate Aoife Hopkins close behind in 32nd. Eve McMahon, sister of Ewan, placed 45th. Full results are HERE.
