Howth Yacht Club’s Sienna Wright and Ballyholme’s Lucy Ives in Top Ten at ILCA 6 Youth European Championships
It was a week of mixed weather conditions in Ballyholme on Belfast Lough for the ILCA 6 Youth European Championships and Open European Trophy with a lot of exciting jostling for positions in the fickle weather. Ireland’s Sienna Wright (Howth Yacht Club) managed to take Bronze in the Under 17 and an impressive 5th place overall in what was the biggest dinghy event in Ireland’s history whilst Lucy Ives (Ballyholme Yacht Club) claimed 9th place overall.
Ukrainian Alina Shapovalova emerged as the Girls' winner, surpassing the overnight leader and this year's World Champion Italy's Maria Vitoria Arseni who ultimately finished second.
The third place overall went to the Under-17 European champion, Hermione Ghicas from Greece. Hermione also won the Under 17 prize.
Ireland's Charlie Keating finished 50th in the Gold Fleet and Andrew Kingston 37th in the Silver.
Polish sailor Jacek Kalinowski secured a third and a first place on the final day, which propelled him from fifth to the top spot overall, earning him the title of Youth European champion. Jacek was surprised that he won the event "I feel very good. I didn't know I could win this regatta. I was thinking maybe top three, so this is a surprise for me. I would like to thank my coach in Poland and my coach here. I would also like to thank Sail Coach and Charter Boat for their help".
Overnight leader Healy Ryan from Australia finished second overall in the Open European Trophy and claimed victory in the Open Under-17 category.
Ballyholme Commodore Rob Milligan posted on social media "So proud of all our volunteers this week and what we achieved. Everyone I spoke to at the event loved Ballyholme and what we delivered". Looking ahead to returning to club racing he thanked everyone who had been involved in delivering the Championships.
2024 ILCA Youth Girl’s European Championships & Open European Trophy Results:
Sailwave results for 2024 ILCA 6 Youth Girl's European Championships&Open European Trophy at Ballyholme Yacht Club, Bangor, Northern Ireland 2024 (eurilca.eu)
2024 ILCA 6 Youth Boy's European Championships & Open European Trophy Results:
Sailwave results for 2024 ILCA 6 Youth Boy's European Championships&Open European Trophy at Ballyholme Yacht Club, Bangor, Northern Ireland 2024 (eurilca.eu)
This article first appeared on afloat.ie by Betty Armstrong - Howth's Sienna Wright Finishes Fifth Overall and Top Irish at Ballyholme's ILCA 6 Youth European Championships (afloat.ie) Photo: Tom Touw