The ILCA 6 European Youth Championships at Ballyholme Yacht Club in County Down has had over the last two weeks, 368 competitors from 38 Nations arriving to compete in an event which is the largest and most internationally diverse sailing event ever held in Northern Ireland's history.
Of this 368 the Irish team has over 40 competitors. Today the first two races had a tricky light offshore breeze of not more than 11 knots on the two courses set off Bangor to the west of the Club.
Some of the Irish sailors at the ILCA 6 European Youth Championships at Ballyholme Yacht Club in County Down Photo: Thom Touw
In Race 1, Sienna Wright of Howth YC was runner-up in the 111-strong fleet to Gilda Dondona of France, with Ava Ennis from Royal St George YC and Lucy Ives of Carlingford Lough, 16th and 17th.
Sienna Wright of Howth YC was runner up in the first race of the 111 strong girls fleet at the ILCA 6 European Youth Championships at Ballyholme Yacht Club Photo: Thom Touw
Overall, Ives has established a good position after two races, lying 5th and just one place behind the World Champion Maria Vittoria Arseni of Italy. Poland's Martyna Stachowiak leads, and Sienna Wright, also in the Irish team, lies 13th. Zoe Whitford from East Antrim BC is 18th.
The Boys results show that the first three places are tied on 5 points; Floris Schraffordt of the Netherlands, Healy Ryan of Australia, and Dario Burlando (Italy) share the lead on Day 1 in the 247 strong fleet.
Best Irish result is in the top half of the huge fleet of 247 for Seth Walker of Royal St George YC at 78th
The opening began with a colourful Parade of Nations in front of a large and enthusiastic crowd. It was followed by a welcome from the Mayor of Ards and North Down Council, Councillor Alastair Cathcart who was delighted that the event was being held in Bangor. "It's absolutely wonderful to see over 300 competitors from 38 nations come to a very sunny Bangor".
Pietro Porta of Italy competing in the ILCA 6 European Youth Championships at Ballyholme Yacht Club in County Down Photo: Thom Touw
All 368 boats were launched in 42 minutes in a slick operation, ably helped by Cadet members who swiftly retrieved and stacked the launching trolleys on two slipways.
Two more races are scheduled for Tuesday with the warning signal at 1100hrs
Results
