Chris & Olin Bateman of Cork are Sailors of the Month (Junior) for September

2nd October 2019

Afloat.ie Team

Large and little……it’s not easy being the crew when your brother is twice your age and twice your size. 18-year-old (just) Chris Bateman and his 9-year-old brother Olin racing to the title at the All-Ireland Junior Championship in Schull at the weekend Credit: Irish Sailing/INPHO/Bryan Keane

Chris Bateman of Cork has been cutting a swathe through the dinghy sailing scene in Ireland at both junior and open level in a number of classes for some time now, and as he turned 18 on September 23rd, his 2019 national title in the RS 200s provided a final opportunity to put his stamp on the All-Ireland Junior Championship. But as it was to be raced in the relatively small TR 3.6s in Schull, his size meant that - to be competitive – he had to find a pint-sized crew, and the hand of destiny fell on his youngest brother, 9-year-old Olin.

The pair of them raced a truly masterful championship. But it’s not easy being the little guy crewing for the hyper-talented big guy, so we reckon that September’s Junior Sailor of the Month award should be shared between Chris and Olin.

chris and olin with trophies2 The Junior Champion 2019 – Chris Bateman turned 18 a week ago, his brother Olin is just nine. Photo: Irish Sailing/INPHO/Bryan Keane

Published in Sailor of the Month, Royal Cork YC, Youth Sailing

Published in Sailor of the Month

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Chris Bateman

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