350 sailors from 60 countries are gathering in the Adriatic town of Zadar in Croatia for the 41st edition of the ISAF Youth Sailing World Championship including four youth sailors representing Ireland in three different classes. The competiton runs from today until July 16th.
Laser Radial Boys
Philip Doran from Courtown Sailing Club in Wexford is attending this event for the first time although he is no stranger to international events. He is a former 4.7 World Champion and the u17 Radial World Champion. Philip will be targeting a top 10 finish overall.
Laser Radial Girls
Sophie Murphy from Quoile Y.C. in Northern Ireland is representing Ireland for the second time having competed in Turkey in 2010 at age 16. After sailing a consistent Irish trials Sophie won the right to take the girls place in the Laser Radial. Her experience of competing in this event last year will undoubtedly count in her favour as many quite simply get overawed by the pomp and ceremony that go along with an event as prestigious as this so expect some solid races from Sophie during the week.
420 Girls
Emma Geary from Royal Cork Yacht Club & Niamh Connolly from Baltimore Sailing Club are both aged 18. While not quite having the same amount of international experience as their team mates they are a very strong partnership together and are ideally suited to the 420. Coach Ross Killian has been putting them through their paces in preparation for the toughest event they will have sailed in so far.
Thursday 07 and Friday 08 sailors will be provided with their boats and equipment and will be briefed with limited on water training before racing commences on Saturday 09 July.
The ISAF Youth Sailing World Championships is ISAF's most prestigious event after the Olympic Games and the ISAF Sailing World Championships. Past notable winners include American's Cup skippers, Chris Dickson (NZL), Russell Coutts (NZL), Dean Barker (NZL); Olympic medallists, Ben Ainslie (GBR), Robert Scheidt (BRA), Alessandra Sensini (ITA), Iain Percy (GBR) and Elise Rechichi (AUS); Volvo Ocean Race sailors like Stuart Bannatyne (NZL) and Richard Clarke (CAN).
Ireland has won the bid to host the 2012 ISAF Youth World Sailing Championships in Dun Laoghaire from 12-21 July 2012. The granting of this prestigious sailing event to Ireland is a major boost to the sport and secures Ireland's position as a prime location for hosting worldclass sailing events. It also establishes Dun Laoghaire as one of the prime major racing locations in the world, capable of running multiple classes and courses to the highest international standard.
