Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin, 8 April 2018:
Harry Pritchard of the Royal Cork Yacht Club competing in the Optimist class at the Volvo Youth Sailing National Championships 2018 on Dublin Bay.
Photograph: David Branigan/Oceansport/Irish Sailing
More than 150 young sailors with hopes of Olympic glory will get the chance to take the first steps towards fulfilling their dreams at the Irish Sailing Youth National Championships at the Royal Cork Yacht Club, Crosshaven, later this month.
The competition is the one time every year when the best of Irish youth sailing come together to test their skills and ability to perform under intense competition conditions – with the added pressure of being under the spotlight for the selectors from Irish Sailing Performance.
The youngsters from throughout Ireland will compete across five different classes of boat during the weekend – the Laser Radial, Laser 4.7, 420, Topper and Optimist. These five classes have been identified as those that develop the necessary experience sailors need to successfully develop their skills from junior through to the Olympic classes and competing internationally.
As well as racing, there are three evening talks from members of the Irish Sailing Team. Those attending will be treated to inspirational talks from Katie Tingle, who now partners Olympic silver medallist Annalise Murphy in the 49erFX as they seek Olympic qualification this year; 49er sailor Séafra Guilfoyle, a silver medallist at the 2014 Youth World Championships and current partner of Ryan Seaton, who was a finalist at the Olympic Games in London 2012, and Rio 2016; and James O’Callaghan, Irish Sailing’s Performance Director, who will discuss resetting and refocusing during competition with Jessie Barr, Olympic athlete and Sport Ireland sports psychologist.
Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin, 5 April 2018:
Clare Gorman of the National Yacht Club competing in the Laser Radial class on Day 1 of the Volvo Youth Sailing National Championships 2018 on Dublin Bay.
Photograph: David Branigan/Oceansport
The occasion also is one of the few times where families and friends competing in the different classes can gather together in one location to share their experiences, learning and generally have some fun.
Sean Evans, Irish Sailing’s Olympic Laser Radial Academy Coach said “The Irish Sailing Youth National Championships are Ireland’s largest Youth regatta and our sport’s primary talent spotting event of the year. All the young sailors that are competing over the weekend have every chance of being selected for the Irish Sailing Academy. Sailors who demonstrate their proficiency at these championships can be chosen for squads that will be competing abroad and may even give something back by coaching and training others as well”.
Finn Lynch, just back from placing 4th in the Laser Class at the Trofeo Princesa Sofia in Palma said “I’ve great memories of the Youth Nationals, competing with my mates for the right to represent Ireland, racing was always great and competition was fierce!”.
The Irish Sailing Youth National Championships, showcasing the best up-and-coming talent in Ireland, will take place from 25th-28th April at the Royal Cork Yacht Club, Crosshaven.
Irish Sailing are working closely with the Royal Cork Yacht Club to ensure that we adhere to our Irish Sailing Sustainability standards to be green and keep the seas blue:https://www.sailing.ie/Our-Environment
For further information, please contact:
Richard Burke, The Content Partnership – 00353 86 8167822 Richard@thecontentpartnership.ie and Treasa Cox, Head of Communications, Irish Sailing: 083 868 9918, treasa@sailing.ie
Notes for editor:
Ones to watch !
- In the Laser Radials Jamie McMahon (HYC) came third at last year’s Irish Sailing Youth Nationals, while Clare Gorman (NYC) was pipped at the post to finish as 2nd girl. Both will be looking to improve their performances at this year’s event
- In the Laser 4.7s, Harry Pritchard (RCYC/MBSC) currently stands as the highest ranked sailor in the event from 2018, with Conor Gorman of NYC who has recently moved up from the Optimist and shown great promise in winter training
- In the double-handed 420 class, Morgan Lyttle (RSTGYC) and Patrick Whyte (LRYC) won the Munster Championships, the first event of the 420 season with Lucy Kane (EABC) and Emma Gallagher (MYC) as first girls and just shy of the overall win
- Two Cork Topper sailors will have the advantage of sailing on home waters: both Eoin Horgan and Cillian Foster of RCYC came first and second in the recent Topper winter championships
- Finally, in the Optimist class, Luke Turvey (HYC/NYC) topped the senior rankings in 2018, while Rocco Wright (HYC/NYC) topped the junior rankings and now moves into the senior category.
Irish Sailing: The Irish Sailing Association (Irish Sailing) is the national governing body for sailing, powerboating and windsurfing in Ireland.
A lineup of evening speakers – open to all:
At 5.30pm each evening or after racing there will be a talk and Q&A session at the club with speakers who have a deep knowledge of sailing and racing. The talks are open to all sailors and parents and media.
Thursday 25 April: Katie Tingle (Irish Sailing Team), “A second chance – taking the long view on a sailing career”
Friday 26 April: Séafra Guilfoyle (Irish Sailing Team): “My journey so far from Optimist nationals to 49er Championships”
Saturday 27 April: James O’Callaghan (Irish Sailing Performance Director) talks to Jessie Barr (Irish Sailing Academy and Sport Ireland sports psychologist) about “Resetting and refocusing during competition”