Irish 420 sailors have been out testing their skills in the strong breeze on Lough Ree this winter in anticipation of a full calendar of events starting with the first 420 regional championships of 2019 at the Fastnet Marine and Outdoor Training Centre in Schull County Cork in a month's time from February 22nd to 23rd.

420 Sailing on Lough Ree

Last Sunday was a perfect day for a midwinter's morning blast. The Lough Ree 420 sailors took full advantage of the conditions.

Building on the success of its Mirror fleet, Lough Ree Yacht Club are building an active 420 fleet.

With the addition of a trapeze and a good deal more speed, it’s the natural progression for sailors who have already developed double-handed sailing skills.

Former 420 sailor Robert Dickson, who recently won the U23 49er World Championship with Seán Waddilove, has been running coaching weekends to help to develop the class.

In response to parents who have sought guidance on what boat to advance to once their sailors have left Optimists, Lough Ree Yacht Club has mapped out it’s own ‘youth pathway programme’.

Single-handed sailors move from Optimists to Lasers. Mirror sailors progress into the 420. Sailors are encouraged to try both double-handed and single-handed to develop a complete set of sailing skills.

2019 Calendar

As previously reported by Afloat.ie, the fleet then returns to Wexford Harbour Boat and Tennis Club for the 2019 420 Leinster Championships on March 30th.

On April 25th, the  2019 Irish Sailing Youth Pathway Championships will be the selection event for the Team travelling to the 2019 Junior European Championships.

In July, the National Championships will the year be part of the very exciting Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta.

The 420 Connacht Championships returns to Galway Bay Sailing Club on August 17.

The Ulster Championships will once again be part of the RYA Northern Ireland Youth Championships on September 21.