The Volvo Irish Sailing Youth Pathway National Championships start tomorrow at the Royal St. George Yacht Club and National Yacht Club in Dun Laoghaire Harbour on Dublin Bay. As previously reported by Afloat.ie, this is Ireland’s biggest youth sailing regatta with nearly 200 young sailors from around Ireland and over 28 clubs represented.
The regatta starts tomorrow (5-8 April) with races open to all young sailors who sail in the five Irish Sailing Youth Pathway Classes (Laser Radial, Laser 4.7, 420, Topper and Optimist).
There’ll be three race courses, five classes, three evening talks, and 32 counties represented.
2018 Pick of the Favourites
420 class
Girls: Gemma McDowell & Emma Gallagher, Malahide Yacht Club
Boys: Micheal O’Suilleabhain and Michael Caroll, Royal Cork Yacht Club
A total of 11 races are scheduled. 4 races required to be completed to constitute a championship.
Laser Radial
Girls: Claire Gorman, National YC
Boys: Peter Fagan, Tom Higgins and Jamie McMahon
A total of 11 races are scheduled. 4 races required to be completed to constitute a championship.
Laser 4.7
Munster Champion from last weekend in Baltimore Atlee Kohl from Royal Cork YC. Following last weekend’s form Finn Walker, RSGYC and Alana Coakley, RSGYC/RVYC will also be in contention in a tough fleet that boast 27 entries. A total of 8 races are scheduled. 3 races required to be completed to constitute a championship.
Topper
Hugh O’Connor of the National YC with home advantage but will face stiff competition from both Erin McIlwaine, Newcastle YC, and David Jones, Royal Cork YC.
In the Topper 4.2 the title is wide open with Adam Irvin of the NYC, Zoe Whitford of the East Antrim Boat club and Christian Houlihan of Blessington Sailing club amongst the contenders.
A total of 8 races are scheduled. 3 races required to be completed to constitute a championship.
Optimists
Hot competition makes it too close to call in the Optimist class but it is hard to ignore last weekend's performance by Justin Lucas in the Netherlands. A total of 13 races are scheduled in the Optimist trials. Four races required to be completed to constitute a championship.
Talent spotting
This is Ireland’s largest Youth regatta and Irish Sailing’s primary talent spotting event of the year for the Academy and Junior classes. Importantly, it’s also one of the few chances in the year when family and friends who are sail in different classes can all sail together at one regatta venue, competing on different courses but on the same waters, giving a brilliant opportunity for shared experiences, learning and fun.
Evening talks open to all
The evening talks from Irish Sailing Performance Director James O’Callaghan and coach Ross Killian along with sports psychologist Dr Kate Kirby, Jessie Barr and nutritionist Ronan Doherty are open to all the sailors and their parents.