The Irish Sailing Awards 'Sailor of the Year' SHORTLIST
With awards season in full swing the Irish Sailing shortlist for Sailor of the year has arrived! 2022 was a remarkable year for Irish Sailors on the water across the globe, with major achievements and adventures being explored all year.
There are 11 nominees this year, ranging from dinghy’s to keelboats to windsurfing:
Finn Lynch, Irish Team ILCA 7 Sailor:
Finn has been nominated of the back of his world ranking status in 2022. Finn came in ranked at World No. 2 in the newly published World Sailing rankings, this is the highest ever ranking for a male Irish Laser Sailor. The rankings are due to his silver medal at the ILCA7 World Championships in Barcelona last November 2021, his 4th place at the Princess Sofia Regatta in Palma in April this year, and his 6th place at the 2022 ILCA 7 Men's World Championship in Mexico in May.
Jones Family, J122 Jellybaby:
JellyBaby is a family run J122 40 footer that is campaigned at local, regional and national events throughout Ireland. It is a fully Corinthian ethos on JellyBaby in that all crew are family and club friends. Helmed by dad Brian or Son Cian. Taking both RCYC boat of the year and SCORA boat of the year.
Oisin Van Geldren, Windsurfer:
Nominated for his New speed record in windsurfing. At the Lüderitz Speed Challenge 2022 in Nambia he reached speeds of 49.89knots over a 500m stretch, the official GPS reading (new Irish Record subject to ratification by WSSRC.)
Laura Dillon, keelboat sailor:
Nominated for a stellar year of racing. Laura is passionate about promoting sailing and ensuring that many others can enjoy the lifelong passion that she has enjoyed. Laura is an Overseas Rear Commodore at the RORC and very keen to encourage more participation at all levels of our sport. For the fact is that she is highly ranked regardless of gender. In August she won both the Women's Trophy in Cowes Week and skippered the Class 1 overall winner in the Irish Sailing Women at the Helm event in Dublin Bay
Pamela Lee, Offshore Sailor:
Pamela has been nominated for her dedication got offshore sailing throughout the year and for her guidance and inspiration on the Irish Sailing Women Take the Helm programme where she mentored 3 women sailors in 2022. Pam lives and works in France, with her latest roles as Co. Skipper and boat captain of ‘Influence’ Class40 campaign and on ‘Team Technique’ for the Primonial Ocean50.
Pam’s objective is to build her own international Class40 campaign. She envisages using her project to create industry and offshore opportunities and to continue breaking down barriers and stereotypes within the discipline of offshore sailing whenever possible.
Pat Lawless: Golden Globe Race Sailor:
Pat is nominated for his incredible and relentless passion on his racing journey. Pat had a very impressive performance in the Golden Globe Race before having to take an early retirement to the race. However the preparation alone for this Solo Race around the world is an achievement of its own.
Ger Owens: Former Irish Olympian:
Ger this year is nominated for Irish Sailor of the Year for his repeated success at the 2022 Irish Sailing Champions Cup, taking home his 3rd win of the cup and second consecutive win.
Hannes Louet-Fiesser: WindFoiling:
Nominated for his record breaking Windfoil around Ireland. Many have sailed or walked around our Island. But WindFoil, this was a first and all in the aid of the RNLI. He raised just short of 12,000 over his 41 days around Ireland.
Kinsailor: Kinsale YC's U25 J24 Team
Nominated for their 3rd place in the J24 Europeans in their first season on the water together. A highly impressive achievement amongst a very competitive class for a young team moving into their first Keelboat event.
Tom Dolan, Offshore Racer:
Nominated for his top ten finish in the Solitaire Du Figaro. He finished in 7th place in the overall ranking and for the third time in a row in the top 10 of the most difficult race of the season. Congratulations Tom!
Zoe Mulvey, Powerboating:
Zoe is a young disabled sailor accessing powerboating through all of Irish Sailings programs, such as the Water sports Inclusion Games and the Winter Inclusion series. Mulvey has the proud accolade of being the only person to participate fully in every Watersports Inclusion Games since it’s inception.
She has continued to sail at every opportunity but her true passion is powerboating and chasing her need for speed, Zoe recently attended every session of the Winter Inclusive Series providing rescue boat support.
Despite Zoe’s physical and intellectual challenges, she is committed to logging her hours and is currently working towards attaining her National Powerboat Licence and planning on providing rescue cover in WHBTC at this year’s Games.
Congratulations to all and we look forward to seeing you at the awards!