Irish Sailing Team Selected for Youth World Championships in China

18th September 2017

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Sally Bell is a member of Royal North of Ireland YC and will turn 18 at the end of September and is Ireland's representative at the Youth Worlds in China Credit: Afloat.ie

Irish Sailing has announced the Irish team for the Youth Sailing World Championship.

Ireland will be represented by three boats and four sailors: Sally Bell in Laser Radial Girls, Conor Quinn in Laser Radial Boys, and Geoff Power and James McCann in 420s.

The team will be joined by coach Russell McGovern.

The Youth Sailing World Championship will be held in Sanya, China on 9-16 December 2017. The Championship was first held in 1971 where 16 nations fought for titles. 76 countries now compete in the regatta, which is open to sailors aged 19 and under and attracts the best young sailing talent across the world to compete together in one place.

Power McCann 420 420 pair – James McCann from RCYC (left) and Geoff Power from Waterford Harbour Sailing Club
In the 420s, Geoff Power at 16 is the youngest member of the team heading to China, and sails out of Waterford Harbour Sailing Club. His teammate, James McCann from RCYC in Cork is 17. They reached qualification criteria with an impressive seventh place at Kieler Woche Regatta in Germany this summer.

Laser boy – Conor Quinn from Carlingford and Rush
Sally Bell is a member of Royal North of Ireland YC and will turn 18 at the end of September. Conor Quinn is 18, and a member of both Rush SC and Carlingford Lough YC.

Before heading to China, Sally and Conor will compete in the Laser Radial European Championships in Barcelona this October, and aim to sail three to four sessions per week in preparation for the Youth Worlds. Both Sally and Conor receive support from RYANI in addition to their programmes with the Irish Team.

Published in Youth Sailing

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