SAILING Final Day the most challenging for Sailors in West Cork

The ISA Youth Nationals & Junior Pathway Championship 2009 concluded in Schull, Co Cork today (Friday 17th April) after yet another exhilarating day's racing.

In an easterly force 4 to 5, frequently gusting over 20 knots on Roaringwater Bay, the top boats in the Youth fleets were able to attain their maximum speed on all legs of the course.

James O'Callaghan, ISA Performance Director commented: "The final day proved to be the most challenging, which is apt, given the standard throughout the whole week. I've been most impressed with the quality of boat handling and seamanship"

Laser 4.7
The top five boats had 20 points each going into the last day of racing. Michael Molloy (East Down Yacht Club) claimed the title when he won the final race of the day. This placed him just one point clear of both Wesley Brownlow (Royal Cork Yacht Club) and Henry McLoughlin from Carlingford Lough Yacht Club. However it was Brownlow who claimed 2nd place, when the tie break kicked in.

420
Timmy O'Laoire & Brian Kelleher (Howth Yacht Club & Royal St George Yacht Club) maintained their overnight lead when they won all their races today, to finish on 13 points. In 2nd place was Rob Lehane & Iarlath Kennedy (Royal Cork Yacht Club) on 21 points despite two 2nd places and a 4th in today's racing.

Laser Radial
Oliver Loughead (Ballyholme Yacht Club & Royal Ulster Yacht Club) won all three races today to take the Laser Radial title. In fact he won 6 of the eleven races sailed during the championship. Chris Penney, from East Antrim Boat Club took 2nd place (20 points) just ahead of Matthew O'Dowd (Royal St George Yacht Club) on 24 points.

On the inner course in Schull Harbour, where the Junior Pathway fleets were racing the conditions were very testing however all the young competitors afloat displayed impressive sailing skills.

Topper
Finn Lynch (Blessington Sailing Club) was on form all week to decisively take the title following 7 race wins out of a possible 11. His two discards were a 2nd and 3rd place, which is certainly impressive for the young sailor. On the water today both Lynch and Stephen Duke of Courtown Sailing Club scored a 1st and 2nd place.

As the younger Topper 4.2 fleet did not race today Conor Sherriff (Courtown Sailing Club) takes the title when he counts 5 race wins in the series.

RS Feva
Sailors from Royal Cork Yacht Club took the top six places in the RS Feva 13 boat fleet. Richard Roberts & Paul Martin (14 points) were clear ahead of Isabella Morehead & Conor Deegan (28 points). The title of RS Feva Junior Pathway champion is only open to those under 15 years which meant that 3rd placed Julie Tingle & Dermot Lyden claimed the national title.

Detailed results are available here: http://www.sailing.ie/youthsail/inside/default.asp?pageId=686

ISA Youth National Champions 2009

Laser Radial
1st Oliver Loughead, Ballyholme Yacht Club & Royal Ulster Yacht Club
2nd Chris Penney, East Antrim Boat Club
3rd Matthew O'Down, Royal St George Yacht Club

Laser 4.7
1st Michael Molloy, East Down Yacht Club
2nd Wesley Brownlow, Royal Cork Yacht Club
3rd Henry McLoughlin, Carlingford Lough Yacht Club

420
1st Timmy O'Laoire & Brian Kelleher, Howth Yacht Club & Royal St George Yacht Club
2nd Rob Lehane & Iarlath Kennedy, Royal Cork Yacht Club
3rd Cian O'Regan & Mark Boylan, Kinsale Yacht Club & Skerries Sailing Club

ISA Junior Pathway Champions 2009

RS Feva (Pathway Champion under 15years)
1st Julie Tingle & Dermot Lyden, Royal Cork Yacht Club
2nd Alexandra Morehead & Mark Roberts, Royal Cork Yacht Club
3rd Kelly Myles & Roddy Fitzpatrick, Lough Ree Yacht Club

1st (on the water ) Richard Roberts & Paul Martin, Royal Cork Yacht Club
2nd (on the water) Isabella Morehead & Conor Deegan, Royal Cork Yacht Club
3rd (on the water) Julie Tingle & Dermot Lyden, Royal Cork Yacht Club

Topper
1st Finn Lynch, Blessington Sailing Club
2nd Stephen Duke, Courtown Sailing Club
3rd James O'Hare, Carlingford Lough Yacht Club

Topper 4.2
1st Conor Sherriff, Courtown Sailing Club Sailing Club
2nd Alison Dolan, Blessington Sailing Club
3rd Rachel Duke, Courtown Sailing Club