Coach Thomas Chaix travelled with two Irish 29er pairs to Grafham Waters in the UK over the weekend to compete at the Inland Championships. The two pairs competed in the 42 boat fleet. Eight races were sailed in 8 to 18 kts providing a range of conditions suiting all level of skills.
Rian McDonnell Geraghty and Nathan Van Steenberge, both from the NYC sailed a very strong series (10-7-6-4-4-14-BFD-6) to take 7th overall and very comprehensively win the Junior (U15) category. It is a very encouraging result for the very ambitious young pair who teamed up on this demanding little skiff just 2 months ago. Early dividends for all the hard work at training is always nice to take!
NYC Leah Rickard, freshly returning from Injury and crew Kerry based Eimer McMorrow-Moriarty had highs and lows showing great skills in the lighter breeze early on topping their series with a 12th on race 2. Both were also competing in the junior category and they secured 6th for their first regatta together.
The 29er class is a growing class in Ireland with new boats and new partnerships getting hooked on this fast, yet challenging to master youth skiff. Exposure to the well established UK class is great for these young teams to gauge their progress.
