#optimist – 14 young sailors from ten different Irish yacht clubs make up the team to represent Ireland at the Optimist Europeans that will be held in the home waters of Dun Laoghaire in July.
Skerries Sailing Club sailor Peter Fagan (14) was the overall winner of the Optimist trials that concluded in blustery conditions at the Royal St. George YC at the weekend. Over half of the 62–boat fleet did not complete the final race as gusts of over 30–knots hit the fleet. Full results downloadable below as a jpeg file.
The team who have been chosen by the International Optimist Dinghy Association of Ireland to represent Ireland at the Optimist European Championships in Dun Laoghaire in July 2014 are Sarah Cudmore (RCYC), Dara Donnelly (NYC), Gemma McDowell (MYC), Grace O'Beirne (RStGYC), Clare Gorman (NYC), Harry Bell (RNIYC), Alix Buckley (SSC), Michael Carroll (KYC), Loghlen Rickard (NYC), James McCann (RCYC), Alex O'Grady (HYC), Daniel Hopkins (HYC), Jamie McMahon (HYC), Peter Fagan (SSC).
A development squad has also been chosen: Sarah Levie (LDYC / KYC), Emma Parker (SSC), Michael O'Suilleabhain (KYC), Tom Keal (RCYC), Chris Bateman (RCYC), Jamie O'Grady (HYC), Cathal O'Regan (RCYC), Caoimhe Foster (RCYC), Nicola Ferguson (NYC), Hugo Kennedy (RStGYC).
Irish development squad: Sarah Levie (LDYC / KYC), Emma Parker (SSC), Michael O'Suilleabhain (KYC), Tom Keal (RCYC), Chris Bateman (RCYC), Jamie O'Grady (HYC), Cathal O'Regan (RCYC), Caoimhe Foster (RCYC), Nicola Ferguson (NYC), Hugo Kennedy (RStGYC). Photo: Gareth Craig
With just under three months left to the opening ceremony of the Optimist European Championships, the Royal Saint George Yacht Club is preparing itself for a record entry.
To date 43 countries have entered teams totalling 245 competitors and 80 coaches and team leaders.
In addition to the 32 European teams, they are also welcoming 11 international teams as far afield as Antigua, Australia, Bermuda, Brazil, Canada, Hong Kong, India, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, and USA.
