Laser 4.7 worlds story, by Colm O Regan
| 23rd of July, my birthday and I was off to France for the euro’s. Me and Daragh O’ Sullivan headed over a bit later (something like 2days) than ‘The Team’ (John Flynn, Mark Condy, Stephen Duke, Sian Kneafsey, Emma Cooney, Georgina Corbett, Shauna Golding, Fionn Lyden, Daragh McCormack, Cian Cahill and last but not least Guy Aplin). The others did two tough days training with ‘The Coach’ (Alistair Kissane) before the event. There were 29countries expected to be at the event, including 118 girls and 232 boys which later decreased to 231 because this giant over-sized dutch guy left. All the Irish luckily were staying in the same campsite except for Shauna. We were a 10minute drive or even a 5minute rib journey(Thanks to Austin) to the yacht club. We were launching off a beach each day and it was usually a late start because of the sea breeze. We didn’t launch each day till about lunch time and we launched off a beach which speeded things up a bit. Pretty long sail out aswell if you were on the far course. The boys were split up from the girls (unfortunetly) unless you were in the yellow fleet(which i wasnt once) . Alistair took turns at being on each course, but it ended up no-one wanting him on their course because he was bad luck. :) The sailing area was really shifty everyday. 2 races everyday, first race everyday usually was a light 4-10knots and it always picked up by the second race to an alright 10-15knots with short choppy waves. The event was 6 competitive days long. After 4 days we were split into Gold, Silver, Bronze and just for the boys, Emerald. The practise was on the 24th and we also got our boats measured
then. In oppies practise races was a competition of who could
commit the most penalties and who could be closest to the windward
mark by the time the race started. I thought it being lasers and
everyone being more mature maybe it would be serious enough, but
i was wildly wrong. It was usually around 27 degrees out on the water so we had to slap on the sun cream or else the parents would be chasing us. I actually thought I drank a 1000 litres of water a day! Everyday we had the sign in sign out system. On the first morning too many of the Irish sailors forgot to sign out which caused mahem! So from then on all you would in hear in the morning was 'Don't forget to sign!' 'Have you signed out?' So the parents were useful for at least one thing. :) Looking back at the event what stood out was how well everyone got on, on and off the water. When ever I got out to the course there would be all the Irish waiting for you to do a speed test and everyone would share their views on the races to help. All-in-all it was some eventto participate in. Thanking everyone that went and that helped to make my event
possible, Colm O' Regan |
Optimist nationals. Domination by the favourites
| Congratulations to Peter Mc Cann (RCYC) who is the senior open & national champion following a fantastic championships in waterford Harbour sailing Club. He was followed by Patrick Crosbie. In fifth overall, Sean Waddilove confirmed his great summer taking the third Irish spot on the podium. Daire Cournane (RCYC/KYC) dominated the junior fleet to win the open & national championships on a convincing 12 points. Robert Dicksson tried everything to break Daire's domination this year but settled once more with 2nd ahead of club mate Fergus Flood. |
Team Racing Europeans. The optimist team 6th by G Kingston
| Team:
Coach/Team Leader: George Kingston RCYC/KYC The 2010 IODA European Team Race Championships is in its third year and has gone from strength to strength since its inception in 2008. The competition is held in one of most breathtaking locations I've ever witnessed. Picture Cork harbour on a winters day blowing 20 knots, now picture the complete opposite - this is Ledro! It's a tiny lake in the Italian alps with the staggering mountain peaks and lush greenery providing a great backdrop for some serious team racing. The 2010 Team Race Irish Team was made up of the very successful group selected to represent the country at the fleet race Europeans in Poland earlier in the summer. I had met them all for training weekend before Poland, and I also did a Team Race session with them a week before leaving. The team of three boys and two girls proved a perfect mix. It allowed us to use a sub and rotate the team for the 4 V 4 team races. Team racing pushes the your boat handling skills, knowledge of the rules, and team work to new levels. In my opinion it is very often more exciting and action packed than fleet racing as each race lasts no more than 10 minutes! DAY 1: Wednesday AUG 24. We woke to blistering sunshine and
a flat calm Lake Ledro. The team was nervous at breakfast
but focused on the task at hand. We were the 9th ranked team
for the event and were up against the French (4th) and Italians
(1st) in our first two races, a tough start. |
