Competitors announced for Ireland’s premier sailing title
ISA All Ireland Sailing Championships this weekend
Ireland’s national sailing event will see the best of Irish sailors compete to be crowned the 2007 All Ireland Sailing Champion. The National Yacht Club, Dun Laoghaire will host this premier domestic championship this coming weekend (6th & 7th October 2007). The Senior competition will be sailed in the J80’s from the new ISA Sail Fleet and the Junior and Girls event will take place in Laser Radial dinghies.
“2007 Champion Peter O’Leary will be defending his title but he will have strong competition to contend with,” said Ed Alcock, ISA Racing Manager. “One interesting wildcard nominee is Ger O’Rourke who recently added the title of overall winner of the Rolex Fastnet Race to his list of triumphs for 2007.”
In the lead up to the 2008 Olympic Games it will be interesting to watch the two Olympic Squad nominees Gerald Owens, who earlier in the summer secured Ireland place at the 2008 Games in the 470 class, and Star campaigner Maurice O’Connell. Interestingly enough, the 2006 Defending Champion, Peter O’Leary, has begun competing internationally in the Star class.
Following on the success of 2007, this year’s championship will see an even stronger Girl’s presence within the Junior and Girl’s competition which takes place in the Olympic class Laser Radial dinghy.
Returning to defend her title will be Rachel Guy (2006 Girl’s Champion) however this year the girl’s fleet will include nine strong competitors, including local sailor Annalise Murphy who campaign’s her Laser Radial regularly on the Olympic circuit.
Last year there was a battle royal between Ben Lynch and Aidan McLavery as they chased the Junior title, which George Kenefick untimately clinched. Although Kenefick is not competing this year neither Lynch nor McLavery can expect plain sailing as the girls sail within the Junior fleet and can also aim for the Junior Title.
Seniors
Peter O'Leary - 2006 Defending Champion
John Hall representing Beneteau First 31.7
Noel Butler representing Fireball
Niall Henry representing GP14
David Crosbie representing ICRA 1
David Rose representing ICRA 2
Stefan Hyde representing J24
James Esprey representing Laser
Niall McGrotty representing Mermaid
Gerard Owens - Olympic Nominee
Maurice O'Connell - Olympic Nominee
Tom Fitzpatrick representing SB3 Sportsboat
Jonathan Craig representing Shannon One Design
Ger O'Rourke - Wildcard Nominee
Neil Hegarty - Wildcard Nominee
Junior & Girls
Rachel Guy - 2006 Defending Champion
Katie Tingle representing 420
Jordan Hunt representing Laser 4.7
Katie Malcolm representing Laser 4.7
Katie White representing Laser 4.7
Aidan McLaverty representing Laser Radial
Ben Lynch representing Laser Standard
Alan Ruigrok representing Laser 4.7
Aileen Boylan representing Mirror
Mark Boylan representing Mirror
Diana Kissane representing Optimist
Richard Harrington representing Optimist
Jenny Andreason representing RS Feva
Mattie O'Dowd representing RS Feva
Simon Doran representing Topaz
Maria Dolan representing Topper
Philip Doran representing Topper
Annalise Murphy - Wildcard
Rob Lehane - Wildcard
Maeve Leonard - Wildcard
Event website - http://www.sailing.ie/allireland/
Event sponsors include SLAM (http://www.slam.ie), Joker Boats (http://www.jokerboats.ie/)
More on ISA
The Irish Sailing Association (ISA) is the national governing body for sailing in Ireland.
As national governing body, the ISA promotes high standards and co-ordinates activities in competitive and leisure sailing in Ireland.
The ISA constantly monitors and reviews developments in sailing and boating and represents the interests of its members and other sailing and boating enthusiasts with government and international agencies.
The ISA also develops and administers a range of training and other services to support both members and all those involved in sailing and boating of all types, which currently includes:
Dinghy sailing; Sail cruiser sailing; Motor cruiser sailing; Motor cruising (Inland Waterways); Powerboating; Windsurfing; & Personal watercraft
Our Vision is that sailing and boating is recognised as a lifelong activity of choice for Irish people and one of Ireland’s leading international sports.
Our Mission is to lead the promotion and development of - “Sailing and Boating – The Lifelong Sport”
For more information contact:
Bernadette Fox, ISA Membership & Marketing Manager
Email: Bernadette@sailing.ie
Phone: +353 (0)1 271 0110 (Direct Line)
Mobile: 087 956 9012
Jennie Newitt, ISA Membership & Marketing Administrator
Email: isanews@sailing.ie
Phone: +353 (0)1 271 0111 (Direct Line)