2023 got off to an 'optimistic' start at the Youth Nationals at Easter. Much has already been written about the Howth Yacht Club event last weekend, and the largest fleet with the youngest sailors that saw Optimists produce some thrilling racing over four days.
Forty-three of the more experienced sailors of the class took to the water representing their clubs from throughout the country.
The event yielded ten races in a variety of conditions that tested all the sailors. Fickle light winds, 180-degree shifts, yellow flags, squalls and strong tides pushed the sailors hard, with most having to discard some high-scoring races.
The fact that Race Officer (PRO) David Lovegrove got a 10th race in was hugely significant as it allowed a second discard to come into play. There were very few protests and the atmosphere, as noted by the PRO, between the sailors, was very supportive and positive.
In the end, the following sailors accepted places on the IODAI teams;
IRISH OPTIMIST WORLDS TEAM 2023
- Harry Dunne HYC/NYC
- Caoilinn Geraghty McDonald RstGYC
- Andrew O’Neill RCYC
- Gemma Brady NYC/LDYC
- Jules Start RstGYC
IRISH OPTIMIST EUROPEANS TEAM 2023
- Conor Cronin RstGYC
- Abby Murphy RstGYC
- Maeve Donagh RstGYC
- Max O’Hare RstGYC
- Jude Hynes Knight TBSC
- Rory Whyte RCYC/WHSC
- Carolina Carra RstGYC
IRISH OPTIMIST DEVELOPMENT TEAM 2023
- Dougie Venner RCYC
- Emily Donagh RstGYC
- Kate Spain HYC
- Louise Hanley NYC
- Anabelle Wilson KYC
- James Gorman NYC
- Finn Foley RstGYC
- Patrick Fegan MYC/RstGYC
Marcus Shelley of the RstGYC qualified for the IDT but was unable to take up his place. Unfortunately, Juliet Ryan of the same club was also on target for a team but had to pull out on the last day due to illness.
The teams will now start training in earnest to compete at the various events. The World Team are coached by Denis Passke of Denmark and will be sailing their championship in Costa Brava, Spain, from the 15th-25th of July.
The Europeans Team is coached by Soren Laugesen, also of Denmark; they will sail in Thessaloniki, Greece, from the 15th to the 22nd of July.
The Irish Development Team is coached by Tomas Chaix of France and Ireland, who will bring his charges to Perros Guirec in France from the 15th to the 21st of July for the Coupe Internationale d’été Optimist.
The International Optimist Dinghy Association Ireland (IODAI) represents Irish Optimist Sailors aged 15 and under.
