135 young sailors took to the water of Cork Harbour at the weekend to take part in the Investwise Irish Sailing Youth National Championships.

The Championships were lost to Covid last year but returned as an important part of the Irish Sailing Performance Pathway. Racing on the final day was lost to high winds but enough sailing had been completed to declare winners in each of the five classes.

The sailors competed across five different classes – 420, Topper, ILCA 4 (Laser 4.7) and ILCA 6 (Laser Radial) as well as the 29er class. These are the classes that were identified as the best to facilitate progression through the Performance Pathway.

“We have seen incredible racing over the past three days and great sailing by all 144 young sailors,” said the David O’Brien, President of Irish Sailing. “To achieve three out of four days in mid-Autumn and only lose one race from the schedule is a mark of the dedication of the 100-plus volunteers led by organiser Maurice Collins.”

“From the standard of competition that we have seen over the series, these sailors have clearly managed to keep up their training during the Covid pandemic,” said Sean Evans, Irish Sailing’s Youth Academy manager. “Our prospects for 2022 are very good thanks to this resilience and positive attitude.”

The Championships see boys and girls compete alongside each other. Eve McMahon from Howth won the Laser Radial class. James Dwyer and Ben O’Shaughnessy from the host Royal Cork YC won the 29’er class. There was more local success when Rian Collins of Crosshaven won the Topper Class while Sam Ledoux of the National YC in Dun Laoghaire came out on top in the Laser 4.7. The 420 Class went to Jack McDowell of Malahide and Henry Thompson of Malahide.

“We are delighted to support this wonderful event for young sailors,” said David Quinn, Managing Director of Investwise.

“Sailing teaches important life skills such as awareness, responsibility, patience and respect, as well as building friendships that last a lifetime. We’re delighted that our youth sailors had the opportunity to get back out on the water to compete again at their National Championships after a break of two years.”

Irish Sailing’s Olympic Steering Group (OSG) will now review the results of the championships and decide the line-up for Ireland’s squad at the Youth World Championships in Oman scheduled for mid-December.

 

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