14 July
Double Gold for Ireland's sailors at Youth Sailing World Championships
Both of Ireland's single-handed sailors have won Gold medals at the Allianz Youth Sailing World Championships in The Hague this afternoon (The Netherlands, Thursday 14th July 2022)
Eve McMahon and Rocco Wright, both from Howth Yacht Club delivered outstanding performances over their seven-races series that started on Sunday.
McMahon led her 55-strong field from day one, scoring all top three results for the week including four race wins. Her worst result of the week - a sixth place - only came in the final race today that was beset by light winds.
"It feels amazing - last year's fourth place in Oman was so disappointing," McMahon said shortly before the medal ceremony. "I'm so proud of Ireland to achieve Gold at the worlds and to make it a double in the same year is history-making."
Wright made his mark in the Male single-handed event on his first ever appearance at a Youth Worlds by ending the penultimate day in second overall but only separated by tie-break from the leader.
"I tried not to think about the others around me and just sail my own race," said Wright about keeping focussed at his first Youth Worlds appearance. "I didn't expect to win so it's all a bit mind-blowing really."
A confident start in the final race saw the Dublin sailor beat Ole Schweckendiek by finishing fourth, one place ahead of his German rival which was enough to break the points tie as American Peter Barnard missed the podium with a 14th place.
"I was so surprised that Rocco displayed such maturity at such a young age (15) as he remained calm and executed the result," said Vasilij Zbogar, Irish Sailing's Laser Coach. "Two Irish winning Gold in the ILCA6... I still can't quite believe it; the work is paying off - all of us are on the right track."
Both McMahon and Wright now switch their attention to Texas later this month where they compete in their ILCA6 class world championships, a stand-alone event that differs from this week's championship where all disciplines are in competition.
McMahon is defending her 2021 world title in the class and this week's result, coming on top of her European title win last week in Greece leaves her in a strong position. Along with Zbogar, she planned a Summer of three major events and a pathway to victory in each.
"The summer scheduling is a big load for these young athletes to take on," said James O'Callaghan, Performance Director with Irish Sailing. "Understandably, for Eve it's her last year sailing with her pals as a youth before starting at senior level so ending this way is very special."
Meanwhile, Ireland's third boat at the event featuring Emily Conan and Lauren O'Callaghan (Royal St. George YC) finished with their best day of two ninth places and improved to finish 15th overall in their 23-strong 29er female skiff event.
13 July
Podium in view for Irish sailors Youth World Championships going into final day
Both of Ireland's single-handed sailors are preparing for the final day of the Allianz Youth Sailing World Championships in The Netherlands tomorrow (Schevingen, The Hague Thursday 14th July 2022) on top of their respective events.
Two race wins plus a third place for Eve McMahon on Wednesday leaves the Howth Yacht Club sailor with a commanding 14-point lead of the ILCA6 dinghy class.
The day started off quite light but the wind steadily increased to deliver nice sailing conditions that McMahon excelled in.
"Eve did what she needed to do - she stayed really focussed and managed to do all three races in the top three," said Vasilij Zbogar, Irish Sailing's Laser coach. "When the wind picked up, it really made a difference so we're really happy with her sailing."
Meanwhile, McMahon's club-mate Rocco Wright is in a three-way tie for his event in the One-person Male dinghy event. After posting a consistent day of two seventh places and a sixth, he is currently second overall on tie-break.
"I'm super-impressed with Rocco - he's 15 and still managed to be second overall after two really tough races with strong wind," said Zbogar. "He did the best he could to be able to fight for the top three positions. Depending on how many races we'll make a plan for each scenario - one, two or three races."
Meanwhile, Ireland's third boat at the event features Emily Conan and Lauren O'Callaghan (Royal St. George YC) are 18th overall in the 29er skiff event who count an eighth place on Sunday as their best of the regatta so far.
The championship is an annual event that marks the pathway to senior level for prospective Olympians.
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12 July
No sailing today.
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11 July
Irish sailors atop leaderboards at Allianz Youth Sailing World Championships
After two days of racing at the Allianz Youth Sailing World Championships in The Hague, (The Netherlands, Monday 11th July 2022) two Irish boats are showing strong early performances at this key pathway event.
Following on from her European championship win in Greece last week, Eve McMahon (Howth Yacht Club) leads her one-person dinghy event counting two race wins from the nine-race series so far.
Light winds dogged Monday's schedule, delaying the fleet ashore and only allowing one race to be sailed in near calm conditions.
Despite the strong current, McMahon showed steady nerve as she benefitted from a clean start into clear air in her 56-strong event.
Her clubmate, Rocco Wright also had a good day and after a clean start was able to maintain a good position in the leading group to finish fourth. A second place from Sunday leaves him second overall in his one-person male event.
"Both managed the day well in very difficult conditions and with first and second overall they are in strong places," said Vasiij Zbogar, Irish Sailing's Laser coach. "Still, three days to go so let's see what tomorrow brings."
The Scheveningen venue is an important test regatta ahead of next year's combined senior World championships that will be the first qualification opportunity for Paris 2024.
"Eve's performance soon after her European championship victory demonstrates the importance of our top athletes carefully following their competition schedules - including rest and recovery periods," commented James O'Callaghan, Irish Sailing's Performance Director. "Coming so soon after completing her Leaving Cert exams, Eve has impressive determination."
Meanwhile, Ireland's third boat at the event features Emily Conan and Lauren O'Callaghan (Royal St. George YC) are 18th overall in the 29er skiff event who count an eighth place on Sunday as their best of the regatta so far.
See full results - HERE