Optimist : Daire Cournane 3rd at UK nationals 2010
The UK nationals were sailed this year in Weymouth off the futur Olympic center. It must be said if we may disagree with some aspect of the British organisation at times and the cost of things, it was to be be a championship to be remembered with superb racing and a world class quality of organisation we should really look like at trying to achieve. Team Ireland was once more numerous with 39 sailors in the two main fleets. The event was probably the strongest I have ever attended with entries from USA, FRA, ESP, GBR, IRL, JPN, BER, GER, UEA, SUI, BEL and NZL. It must be noted that the USA team was actually their top team as they had opted out of the worlds. The Spanish team also had their top sailors lined up. The Junior squad was coached by myself, whilst 3 other groups where coached by Aidan McLaverty, Maeve Leonard and Rachel Guy. Junior tails... The juniors had a big legacy to fullfil after last year's win and the superb team overall achievement and they started the defence of the title well with solid results inside top 10 in the qualifying serie courtesy of Daire Cournane (9/2/2/4/1/2), Robert Dickson (3/10/5/5/5/3), Conor O Beirne (9/8/8/14/6/8) and Fergus Flood (7/7/8/13/14/17). This 4 entered the finals well on course to secure a top 10 by the end of the regatta. They were joined in Gold by Richard Hogan (10th in race 3), Megan Parker (10th in race 2), Daniel Raymond whose solid qualifying series placed him at the door of the top 20, Aoife Hopkins who was yet to deliver her potential, the very consistent Cliodhna Ni Sullivan, Ronan Cournane, Donal Collins (ensuring their was represenation from the Connaught province), Harry Craig and the highly spirited Richard Thompson just about squeezing in. Just missing out were Ana Kelly, Sorcha Donnelly, Jamie Tingle and Ciaran Finnegan. These 4 left their disapointment behind them and had their eyes set on silver fleet silverware. The first day of final saw Daire mooving up to 3rd with a further 3 top 10 (6/2/7) just to unfortunately see the two leaders pulling away with superb results. Robert (17/7/13) was keeping up the pace with amazing downwind speed settling inside the top 10. Conor (13/37/4) and Fergus (37/8/12) lacked some consistency but were definitely climbing towards the top 10. It was to be a little further behind than the gains were obvious as it seemed the gold fleet suited our U12 better with Richard hitting 10th on two occasion, Megan ending the day with a 15th. The best of the day came from Aoife with a superb 2nd. Indeed in the final race of the day 7 Irish sails were crossing the line in top 15! Not to forget the silver fleet sailors scoring top 10 keeping their quest of winning the fleet well alive wirh Ana and Sorcha now well installed inside the top 10 and Jamie knocking at the door. The second day of the final was also full of excitment Daire trying every tricks of the tactics and strategy book to get back in contention for the title scoring a 2nd and a 3rd. This was unfortunately not enough to close the gap but it opened an insaisisable gap behind securing him 3rd before the last day racing. Robert (8/12) dowwind speed once more kept him touch with a potential 4th overall as points remained tight. Conor's good day (15/7) gave him a taste of the top 10 (just about in 10th) just ahead of Fergus (18/8). Megan (17/10) discreetly climbed the fleet into 25th and 5th girls floolwed by Richard and Aoife who now lies as 8th girls having climbed 30 places since the end of the qualifying series. Daniel is finding it more difficult in gold but learnings are invaluable. In Silver, A spanish sailor seems to be running away with the lead but Ana is still well in touch to take 2nd. The final day provided a bit of a different configuration with a long wait before we could actually get the race under going in lighter breeze. in was not to be a great race most Irish finding themselves on the wrong side of the main shift in the final beat excepted Richard collecting a deserved 14th. In Silver, Sorcha ended her challenge with a great 3rd unfortunately with her direct opposition near by. Junior GOLD, 77 selected (18 girls)
Junior Silver, 76 selected (28 girls)
And in seniors... The fleet was as competitive as ever but the team was pretty confident coming back from a great europeans. Too confident maybe, or a bit tired I would say. Anyway the domination was not green but with a more southerly accent with 3 spanish sailors in top 5 and the indecent domination of Silvia Mas Depares who scored 4 bullets in a row in the final series. On the irish side it was inconsistency that came out with some superb display at times unfortunately followed by a series of costly mistakes. Peter McCann with 3 bullets eventually took 6th at the end ahead of team Mate PAtrick Crosbie (11th). Sean Waddilove was surely a good satisfaction for coach Aidan McLaverty taking a solid 23rd. Sophie Browne was our best girk in 42nd and 8th girl. GOLd fleet, 82 selected (23 girls)
SILVER fleet, 79 selected (33 girls)
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