2024 ILCA 6 Youth European Championships Are Ready for Ballyholme's First Race on Monday

27th July 2024

The 2024 ILCA 6 Youth European Championships at Ballyholme Yacht Club on Belfast Lough Credit: Rob Milliga

All 370 competitors have arrived at Ballyholme for the ILCA 6 Youth European Championships, and with just one more day until racing starts, things are running smoothly; even the boat and sail inspection is half an hour ahead of schedule.

That smooth running is due to the willingness of dozens of volunteers who have taken on responsibilities such as running the Race Office, boat and sail inspection, site management, catering, launching and retrieving boats, and litter picking.

The ILCA 6 Youth European Championships Registration desk at Ballyholme

One of BYC's legendary members, Bill O'Hara, posted on Facebook from the Olympics in Marseilles. "Matt and I are really impressed by BYC and the work of its fantastic volunteers in hosting the Europeans. Ballyholme hosted the Laser Europeans in 1979 (brought to the club by Ron Hutchieson), and the main reason I ended up here was because of the contacts I made. I am really excited for the next generation of young sailors from BYC as you give them a chance to start their journey". Matt is coaching the 49ers, and Bill is the Rules Advisor for Ireland and Denmark.

Bill O'Hara (left) and Matt McGovern Ballyholme members out in Marseilles for the Olympic Regatta. Matt is coaching the 49ers, and Bill working as a rules advisor for Ireland and Denmark

The Opening Ceremony and Parade for all the competitors along the seafront at Ballyholme will take place on Sunday. Then, on Monday, it's the serious business of racing.

Trevor Millar at the Euros in Ballyholme

Commodore Rob Milligan is looking forward to the action: "There has been Lots of activity at Ballyholme YC today as final preparations for the EurILCA event are completed. Our volunteers have been fantastic, keeping everything running smoothly.

Charlie (left) and Jo are Race Office managers at the LCA 6 Youth European Championships at Ballyholme

We're now looking forward to the opening ceremony tomorrow and racing starting on Monday".

Published in Laser, Northern Ireland Waters

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Betty Armstrong

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Betty Armstrong is Afloat and Yachting Life's Northern Ireland Correspondent. Betty grew up racing dinghies but now sails a more sedate Dehler 36 around County Down

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The ILCA, formerly known as the Laser, is the most produced boat in the world, with 220,000 units built since 1971.

It's easy to see why the single-handed dinghy has won the title of the most widely distributed boat of all time.

The Laser is a one-design dinghy, the hulls being identical but three rigs that can be used according to the size and weight of the sailor.

The class is international, with sailors from 120 countries. The boat has also been an Olympic class since 1996, being both the men's and women's singlehanded dinghy.

Three rigs are recognised by the International Laser Class Association (ILCA):