Opening Day Cut Short at Irish Sailing Foundation Youth Nationals in Ballyholme
Nearly 134 boats and just under 160 sailors were due to compete in the Irish Sailing Foundation Youth Nationals at Ballyholme Yacht Club, Northern Ireland, today, Thursday 9 April.
All fleets managed to get afloat today but unfortunately due to blustery conditions on Belfast Lough the day was cut short. As winds increased Principle Race Officer Aidan Pounder made the decision to stand down all fleets early due to the conditions.
The Youth Course saw one race sailed by the ILCA 6 and 420 Class whilst the 29er Class was stood down due to the gusty conditions which exceeded their recommended wind limit. The Feva Class also failed to complete a race.
Royal St George Yacht Club sailor Marcus Shelley is leading the ILCA 6 fleet after one race, with Conor Cronin of Malahide Yacht Club in second and Joseph Robinson of host club Ballyholme in third.
In the 420 fleet, Daniel Coppithorne and Matt Mapplebeck (Royal Cork Yacht Club and Schull Harbour Sailing Club) finished in first place with Niamh Lynch and James Harvey (Waterford Harbour Sailing Club and Cumann Seoiltoirea Spideal) were second with Caoimhe Corkery and Riona McMorrow Moriarty (Kinsale Yacht Club, Royal Cork Yacht Club and Tralee Bay Sailing Club) were third.
Arthur Fegan (Royal St George Yacht Club / Malahide Yacht Club) leads the Optimist fleet after one race, with Holly Cantwell (Royal St George Yacht Club) in second and Emily Donagh (Royal St George Yacht Club / Lough Derg Yacht Club) in third.
On the Junior Course, one race was also sailed with ILCA 4 and Topper Class completing one race.
Home club sailor Leo West-Hurst won the opening race in the Topper Class with clubmate Caroline Byrne in second and Ben McCalden (Lough Erne Yacht Club) in third.
In the ILCA 4’s, Adam Green (Lough Erne Yacht Club) is in first, Tom Darcy (Royal St George Yacht Club) in second and Polly Robinson (Ballyholme Yacht Club) in third.
Racing will continue over the next three days at Ballyholme Yacht Club with the Race Committee keeping a close eye on forecasts and conditions to ensure the safety of all fleets.
The Irish Sailing Foundation, title sponsor of the event, plays a vital role in supporting the development of sailing in Ireland, helping young sailors access pathways to performance and progress towards international competition.
Pictured are: Summer Harris (Waterford Harbour Sailing Club) & Ollie Ryan (Royal St George Yacht Club)