Displaying items by tag: Optimist
Glenageary's Hyland Takes Tenth at Oppy German Nationals
Broken toe straps were no obstacle for Adam Hyland this week when the Glenageary junior took an unexpected dip in the Baltic. He finished tenth and top Irish boat at the German Optimist National championships. The top result was from a field of 300. Full results HERE.
The 10 strong Irish optimist development team returned on Saturday night after a very successful trip to Kiel for the German Optimist Nationals. In particular Adam Hyland should be very happy with his 11th place in this world class fleet.
The quality of the fleet at the German nationals is much higher than at German oppie sailors have to qualify for the nationals and the top 20% of the German fleet (220 sailors) and with Foreign participants making up the balance of 310. Most of the foreign competitors teams were made up of World team sailors who are excluded from competing in the Europeans.
The Irish team spent 3 days training and acclimatizing to the local conditions with the German, Danish and other worlds teams.
The competitors competed in very mixed conditions ranging from very light to 20k plus.
The Irish Finished as follows:
11th Adam Hyland RstGYC
56th Sophie Brown TBSC/RCYC
75th Sean Waddilove SSC/HYC
77th Robert Dickson HYC
116th Fergus Flood HYC
129th Sean Gambier Ross KYC
139th Alacoque Daly TBSC
152nd Richard Hogan HYC
158th Ronan Cournane KYC/RCYC
204th Dara Cournane KYC/RCYC
239th Aoife Hopkins HYC
Dun Laoghaire's Hyland in Good Form on the Baltic
Dun Laoghaire's Adam Hyland finished strongly at the Optimist German National Championships yesterday finishing a 19 (his discard) (a bad start followed by a wrong decision on the first beat), 2 and 4. The results put him in strong position half way through the regatta with 6 races scheduled. He is counting a 12th place finish which he managed to salvage when the toe straps in his chartered Winner Optimist broke while leading the last beat throwing him into the Baltic for a short swim and a scrabble back into his boat to finish.
Results HERE.
The forcast for today is very light and forecast to stay like this till tomorrow.
Next best is Sophie Brown winner of the Irish Trials and Ireland's sole Worlds team member sailing with the Danish team sail number is 65th, followed by Sean Waddilove in 75th.
There are 10 worlds teams competing at this regatta NED, GER, POL, BEL, POR, DEN, FIN, FRA, NOR, SWE and World team members from JPN, SWI etc. These teams are the best Oppie sailors in Europe and their selection for the Worlds team exclude them from the Europeans. Therefore the quality of the fleet is much higher than the recent Europeans where only the second team compete.
At the British Nationals in Abersoch in the Seniors u 15 Sean Donnelly from the National Yacht Club in Dun Laoghaire has recovered from his Black Flag Disqualification in race 2 to 17th. Kinsale's 13year old Clíodhna Ni Shilleabhain having shown her potential in the light and shifty conditions on day 1 where she was lying in second after 2 races has suffered in yesterday's windier and more tidal conditions to fall to 23rd overnight.
In the Juniors Niamh Henry from the RstGYC is showing here experience by leading the Irish sailors in 13th position after seven solid races in the all in the top 10. With new guys Ewan McMahon of Howth Yacht Club and Colin O'Sullivan (Malahide) are showing that they are learning and earning.in the Regatta Fleet Grace O'Beirne is leading the Irish Challenge in 12th place.
At the German Optimist Nationals, the results are slow to update online.
Fate seemed to have been conspiring against the Irish yesterday because Sean Wadillove from Skerries was won his second race yesterday only to be disqualified because of a technical infringement.
Ni Shuilleabhain Third After Light Air Oppy Opener
Light fickle winds on the first day of the Volvo Gill Optimist Open and British National Championships in Pwhelli prevented top Irish top challenger Peter McCann from Royal Cork making an early breakthrough but other Irish sailors have prevailed in the senior fleet incuding Kinsale's Cliodhna Ni Shuilleabhain in joint third overall and the National Yacht Club's Sean Donnelly in ninth. Results to date here.
Some of the nation's finest young sailors struggled in light fickle winds. The day was overcast and the light conditions brought tricky shifts. The southerly wind struggled to get over 4 ½ knots but the frustrated Senior and Junior fleet sailors managed one race each in the light breeze.
After one race New Zealand's Markus Somerville (15, Wakatere BC) currently sits at the top of the Senior fleet followed by British sailor and 2010 Junior National Champion, Freddie Grogono. In the Junior fleet the USA dominate two of the top three positions with JC Hermus (11, Bellport Bay YC) in first, Welsh sailor Alexander Watson (9, Llyn Brenig) in second place and Ryan Hennessey (12, Bellport Bay YC) in third. Matilda Nicholls (10, Royal Bermuda YC) sits top of the Regatta racing fleet.
"We were fortunate that when the breeze did fill in it coincided with slack water. It was shifty out there but no more than we predicted and there was consistent pressure. The wind faded towards the end of Senior fleet races so we made the decision to shorten the course. We are pleased to achieve one race for both the Senior and Junior fleets in such light wind. Pwhelli is a great venue to hold the National Championships without as much tidal influence as other venues in the UK." Peter Saxton, Principle Race Officer Optimist National Main fleet
2011 Volvo Gill Optimist Spring Champion, Max Clapp (14, Royal Southern YC) is looking forward to getting back out on the water tomorrow morning "It was quite light and shifty out there but I sail best in light winds. I've raced here [in Pwllheli] before and I'm used to it being windy so it's a change it's so light. I like the venue here, it's great to launch from the beach and compared to Weymouth and Portland it's more open to the sea. I really like sailing in the class because of the numbers and it's nice to meet new friends. My aim for the week - I'd really like to be top Brit in my fleet."
More than 450 British and international sailors from as far afield as New Zealand, Australia, Hong Kong, the United Arab Emirates and South Africa have descended on Pwllheli for the 50th Optimist Open and National Championships, which run until Friday 5th August.
Racing is scheduled to resume tomorrow (Tuesday 2nd August) at 11.00 am. The event will see a maximum of 12 races for the Senior and Junior fleets.
McCann Leads Irish Optimist Challenge in Wales
Cork's Peter MCann Leads Irish hopes against some of the best of Britain's up and coming young sailors who are ready for a full week of racing at the 2011 Volvo Gill Optimist Open and National Championships, Pwllheli Sailing Club. Over 450 British and International competitors, from 15 nations will take part in the annual event from Saturday 30th July – Friday 5th August.
Ireland's Optimist Association arranged pre-event coaching in Pwhelli for Irish sailors attending.
Racing throughout the week will be split into five separate categories, the Senior Fleet for those aged thirteen to fifteen, the Junior Fleet for those aged eight to twelve, Regatta Racing aged eight and above and for those that are looking for transition to the Junior fleet, Regatta Coaching for those competing at the event for the first time and Mini Racers aged eight and nine, who are just learning to sail.
"This year we have more international entries than last year with a number of new countries involved including South Africa, Kenya, New Zealand and Finland. It is fantastic to attract so many young sailors from across the globe. In the British fleets some of the top sailors have progressed and moved on so the regatta is wide open. The next generation are coming through and will be using the National Championships to find their positions within their fleets. It will be an exciting event for all." Said Simon Rogers, ICOA (UK) Technical Officer.
In the senior fleet, 2011 World squad members will be using the opportunity to practice against overseas competition. 2011 Volvo Gill Optimist Inland Champion, Welshman Matt Whitfield (14, Penarth YC), Jamie Calder (13, Loch Tummel) and Joseph Burns (14, Spinnaker SC) are all looking to the take home the National Champion title. Gill Race Team member, Sarah Norbury will be looking to defend her top British girl title fending off competition from 2011 Euro team members Mimi El-Khazindar (14, Royal Lymington) and Georgia Booth (14, Scaling Dam SC).
2009 and 2010 Junior National Champion, Freddie Grogono (13, St Mawes SC) has progressed to the Senior Fleet and will be looking to triumph amongst his new competitors.
In the Junior fleet, 2011 Volvo Gill Optimist Inland Champion, William Heathcote (9, Royal Lymington) will be looking to repeat his success at Graftham Water but faces stiff competition from newly selected Gill Race team and World squad member Milo Gill-Taylor (11, Spinnaker YC).
From overseas Spain's Nestor Cano (14, C Nautic Vilassar De Mar) and Ireland's Peter McCann (14, Royal Cork YC) will be both be looking to repeat last year's success with top ten finishes "There are some really good sailors competing here in Pwllheli. It is my second National Championships over here and I really enjoyed last year in Weymouth and Portland. Compared to back home it is definitely wavier and the currents are different. It can also be hard to tell where the gust is coming from, but I'm really looking forward to getting out there and starting the racing" Said Nestor.
This is the first year that Volvo and Gill have jointly sponsored the Optimist Sailing Class in the UK and includes support for three major annual championships: The Volvo Gill Optimist Inland Championships, the Volvo Gill Optimist Open and National Championships and the Volvo Gill Optimist End of Season Championships which will be taking place at Rutland Sailing Club, 8-9 October. (Additional reporting by Sarah Alexander/Volvo)
Racing Round up: Dun Laoghaire Regatta, ISAF Youths, Optimists, Paralympic, RORC, WIORA, Quarter Ton, Kiteboarding.
In offshore news, the Transatlantic Race 2011 Nears a Finish, and RORC yachts that headed West did best in the St Malo from Cowes race. Ireland's entry in the Tall Ships race, Celtic Mist, is safely in Scotland. WIORA starts this week in Clifden, thirty boats are expected.
Two top Cork performers are in Cowes for this week's Quarter Ton Cup.
In other boating news, rower Siobhan McCrohan won bronze at the World Rowing Champs in Lucerne, Kiteboarding debuted in Dun Laoghaire. There were Medals for Irish Kayakers at Athens Special Olympics.
And finally after a Elaine 'Shooter' Alexander is set for hero's welcome this week as she becomes the first woman from Northern Ireland to circumnavigate the island of Ireland.
All on our home page this morning, thanks for your interest in Irish Sailing and Boating.
McCann Ends Optimist Europeans in Eighth
Leader of the Optimist dinghy Europeans at the half way stage, Peter McCann of Royal Cork Yacht Club has ended the 12 races series at Tavira, Portugal in eighth place overall yesterday. The top Irish youngster had a disappointing second half of the championship picking up 30, 42 and and a 28 in the final five races. 130 competed. There was a separate boys and girls division.
McCann Leads Optimist Europeans
Browne Takes Oppy Munsters on Home Waters (Photos here)
27 knots was never going to stop Sophie Browne and the brave sailors of the Irish Optimist class at Tralee Bay Sailing Club, Fenit, Co.Kerry. The fleet was in town for the Optimist Munster Championships and the local girl proved unstoppable in the six race series. Brian Carlin took the photos in two albums on the Afloat gallery HERE. and HERE.
McCann Wins Ulster Oppy Title
Last weekend (11/12th June) saw the Optimist Ulster Championships return to Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club after a three year gap.
The weather, always so critical in sailing events, did its usual trick of throwing everything possible at the sailors and organisers.
Saturday was a day of light airs and sunshine. With light fickle winds dropping away to nothing, the Featherweights in the fleet were delighted and preformed well.
Sunday was a different day entirely and with winds of 18 knots gusting 22, the heavier sailors came into their own. All in all, something for everyone!
Race 1 in the Junior Fleet was won by Ronan Cournane (Royal Cork Yacht Club) followed closely by Colin O'Sullivan (Malahide Yacht Club). Race 2 was started in light winds but on the second beat the sailors made little progress against the tide. As the wind disappeared only 10 sailors managed to finish, the rest being "timed out". The third race of the day was yet another "light airs" affair. Again the promising breeze fizzled out and Royal North's very experienced Race Officer, Nigel Kearney, raised the abandonment flag.
The sailors went ashore for the day to enjoy the hospitalities of Royal North's recently refurbished clubhouse.
In the Senior Fleet Races 1 and 2 were won by "experienced" sailor Peter McCann (he is only 13) from Royal Cork Yacht Club. Like the Juniors, their Race 3 was also abandoned and the tired sailors sailed back to a fantastic welcome and great meal provided by Royal North. A difficult day for all, both Race Committee and sailors alike worked hard as the wind shifted, built up, dropped away, and built up again.
On Saturday evening Irish Optimist President, Fred Campbell from Royal North presented the Irish Team sailors with their iconic
Green Life Jackets and team gear and wished them all luck in their respective International events.
Sunday morning came and the promised wind which had the heavier sailors in a jubilant mood started to build steadily.
Race 1 was won by Sean Donnelly from the National Yacht Club in Dun Laoghaire with Races 2 and 3 being won by fellow Dun Laoghaire sailor Adam Hyland (Royal St George Yacht Club). Adam was unfortunate to have incurred a "timed out" and a "black flag" penalty in Saturday's racing. These "expensive" scores pulled him down the results allowing Royal Cork sailor, Peter McCann who sailed steadily on both days to secure the overall Senior Championship.
In the Junior Fleet, Race 1 was won by Rebecca O' Shaughnessy (Royal Cork) with Niamh Henry (Royal St George) winning Race 2 while strong wind expert Issy Delamer won Race 2 making Sunday an all girl affair in the Junior Fleet. However, the girls' excellent performances in the stronger breeze did not prevent Royal Cork sailor Ronan Cournane repeating his brother Daire's success the previous year and securing the Junior Championship.
Congratulations to Peter McCann who is the Ulster Senior regional Champion. Congratulations also to Ronan Cournane who is the Ulster Junior Regional Championship.
At a prize giving ceremony following the event, Royal North Commodore, Mike Vaughan welcomed all the visitors and referred to the long association between the club and the Irish Optimist Association. Irish Optimist Vice President Des Flood from Howth Yacht Club thanked the Royal North Yacht Club and its volunteers who worked tirelessly all weekend to make the event the resounding success that it was!
The top five in each fleet were:
Senior Fleet:
1 1439 Gold Peter McCann 14 RCYC 7 1 1 4 2 3
2 1438 Gold Sean Donnelly 14 NYC 17 12 3 1 9 4
3 1375 Gold Richard Hogan 13 HYC 22 5 39 6 3 8
4 1425 Gold Douglas Elmes 13 RCYC/WHSC 27 3 2 11 11 31
5 1444 Gold Sophie Browne 14 TBSC/RCYC 29 18 18 2 4 5
Junior Fleet:
1 1411 Gold Ronan Cournane 12 RCYC/KYC 9 1 2 3 7 3
2 1012 Gold Niamh Henry 12 RStGYC 10 4 1 6 1 4
3 1372 Gold Isabelle Delamer 12 HYC 16 13 5 8 2 1
4 1343 Silver Colin O'SULLIVAN 12 MYC 20 2 3 7 8 14
5 1341 Gold Ewan MCMAHON 12 HYC 20 8 4 2 6 46
Local Sailor Success
Just 5 years ago Royal North sailor Ross Vaughan was Ireland's highest ranked Optimist sailor. In his wake up to 20 Royal North sailors competed on the Irish Optimist circuit. Last year saw a bit of a gap in Northern competitors, but Royal North was pleased to field a total of eight sailors in this event. All are very young but led by enthusiastic Class Captain Greg Bell, all are looking forward to joining the "Irish Optimist Circuit" in the years ahead and bringing success once more to Royal North Optimist sailing.
Best local sailors at the event were Sally Bell in the main fleet and Louis Miller in Regatta Fleet. Expect to see these names again.
Regatta Fleet
Held in conjunction with the championships was a "very" junior event for the very youngest sailors who have recently completed their dinghy competency courses and are getting ready to go racing. This racing experience is essential to equip the sailors with the skills they will need when they move to the main fleet.
Watched by anxious parents from the lawn of Royal North the sailors were led by coaches, Katie Malcolm, Katie White and Holly Campbell. In a series of short races conducted by Race Officer Mark Brien, the kids mostly between 8 and 10 years old got their first taste of racing.
All regatta fleet racers were presented with medals and fun prizes.
Next Year?
It is hoped that when the whole entourage returns to the North next year, these youngest sailors will have progressed to join their older friends in the main fleet.
Judging by the comments from the visiting sailors and parents, North Down can look forward to the return of the class next year. Royal North Commodore, Mike Vaughan, when thanking North Down Tourism and other sponsors of the event, expressed his hope that the championships would again return to Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club.