SAILING Irish 13 year old takes Silver Medal at Sailing's Topper World Championship

26 Jul 2009

 

  • Irish 13 year old takes Silver Medal at Sailing's Topper World Championship
  • 13 year old Finn Lynch took 2nd place in Austria today at the Topper World Sailing Champion.

 

13 year old Finn Lynch from Blessington Sailing Club achieved a major milestone today (24/07/09) at the 2009 Topper World Championships in Austria where he placed second overall.


He returns to Ireland tomorrow as a World Silver medalist. Lynch's results included three race wins and three 2nd places in the nine race series. The event was won by Great Britain's Andrew Bridgman.


Barry McCartin, ISA Topper Squad Coach was elated with his sailor's performance: "Finn showed maturity beyond his 13 years on a tense final day and kept his composure to improve his overall position in a highly competitive fleet."


Entering the final day of competition Lynch was lying in 3rd bronze medal position just 4 points behind the leader in the 94 boat fleet. Lynch took second place in the final two races, which meant he secured the silver medal.


ISA Performance Director, James O'Callaghan said: "I'm thrilled for Finn and all his family, they have been active participants in our Performance Pathway for a number of years, so this is a terrific reward."


Commenting on the significance of this achievement, O'Callaghan continued: "This result, along with our recent Europa Cup victories, and the Irish win in the Star Eastern Hemisphere European Championship shows that the investment in the ISA Performance Pathway is yielding results. Next year, all sports will face a budgetary challenge; these results will surely strengthen our case with the Irish Sports Council."