Day 1 Report ISA Youth Pathway National Championships

At noon today (24 April) some of Ireland's top young sailors began competing in Dublin at the annual four-day ISA (Irish Sailing Association) Youth Pathway National Championships hosted by Howth Yacht Club. Only the Laser Radial and 420 classes had racing today but they will be joined tomorrow by the Laser 4.7, Topper and Optimist fleets bringing the total number of sailors on the water to over 250 for the rest of the weekend.

In the Laser Radial class it was the Corkonians that commanded the top spots today. Séafra Guilfoyle from Royal Cork Yacht Club in Crosshaven took a three point lead after the initial three races. He had a 3, 1, 1 putting him in pole position ahead of Kinsale's Ross O'Sullivan and fellow Royal Cork and ISA Academy teammate Cian Byrne.

Taking charge of the two-person 420 fleet were local Howth duo Robert Dickson & Sean Waddilove. They won the first two races and finished second in the final race of the day. They lead Harry Whitaker & Grattan Roberts and Peter McCann & Arran Walsh, both teams hailing from Royal Cork.

Tomorrow there will be three separate race areas north of Irelands Eye in order to accommodate the large number of competitors. Up for grabs at the most prestigious annual youth sailing event on the domestic calendar will be the coveted places on summer squads and teams for international events. Each day over 100 volunteers will be on hand to cover race management, rescue, mark laying and jury. This will including a fleet of over 35 powerboats and RIBs, nine yachts and committee boats and an additional 40+ support RIBs.