The Irish RS200 class association has announced Olympian Saskia Tidey has agreed to coach the Irish fleet for an ISA-supported class training weekend on Feb 4/5 at the Royal St George Yacht Club in Dun Laoghaire. Saskia competed for Ireland in the 49-er FX class in Rio and narrowly missed out on the Medal Race. Just recently, as reported on Afloat.ie HERE she has made the 'difficult' decision, with dual passports, to pursue a full time career with the GBR Olympic squad, with a target of qualifying for Tokyo 2020.
The Coaching weekend is open to all RS200 sailors and owners (of all standards) and will hopefully appeal to both seasoned campaigners from the established RS200 clubs up and down the country and perhaps also some newcomers from Cork where up to 8 new RS200s have arrived over the winter, with the Irish RS200 class association left searching for any available second hand boats in Ireland and the UK. The Cork Harbour interest has been helped in no small measure by encouragement from ISA All-Ireland Champion Alex Barry, see Afloat.ie report HERE. Indeed it seems apt that the RS200 Irish National Championships will take place at RCYC as part of Dinghyfest, June 30-July 2.
Further details on the Irish RS200 scene on www.RSIreland.com and the celebrated RS Crews Union Facebook page, where you can also keep up to date with the vibrant RS400 scene. Irish RS regional events incorporate all 3 RS fleets; Feva, 200 and 400, although larger fleets in all 3 for the respective National Championships will generally be held separately.
Saskia will focus on downwind boat-handling and technique. Here’s hoping for good weather this early in the season. We expect the shelter of the Harbour could yet prove invaluable.
See attached poster for event details and contact to register interest.