The optimist class and Crosshaven sailor Cian Byrne added a line to what is now a superb summer for Irish sailing by bringing home the U12 open national title.

Traditionally, the youngster of the Irish high performance pathway are travelling to the open UK nationals. This year 24 juniors U12 and 8 juniors 13-15 travelled to Largs lining up alongside teams from the USA, France, Dubai, Holland, Spain and of course Great Britain. The U12 group raced in the 145 boats junior fleet whilst the 13-15 group raced the 109 boats senior fleet. ISA national coach Thomas Chaix was leading a strong coaching team composed by Italian Stefano Cherin, French Morgane Chaix and Irish Simon Rattigan and Alan Ruigrok.

After 3 days training together in Lough Derg YC, the team made their way to Largs in Scotland with great ambitions. The training race gave early indication of the Irish form with several kids at the forefront of the fleet, but the best was to come...

The initial day gave us 8-10 knots from the south. Peter McCann from Cork showed his talent and speed taking in style the initial race in his fleet. Cian Byrne and Sophie Browne took a 5th each but Sophie was found over the line and scored an OCS putting early pressure on her score board. the second race provided a great fight between Peter and a Spanish sailor which ultimately went to the Spaniard. Sophie responded well to the early blow to score a 3rd whilst Cian took 4th. 10 year old Niamh Henry raced well to take a 4th and the second race and 10th overall. the initial race in the senior group gave the Irish two top 10 with Patrick Crosbie (9th) and Rurai Finnegan (6th) but they found the second one harder.

The second day welcomed us in Gorgeous sunshine but no wind. After a 4 hours wait, our OOD gave us some slack and let the fleet enjoy a great afternoon of fun ( dolphin watching, banana boat and various visits around).

The breeze was back on day 3 allowing 3 races to be sailed. Peter Continued his great form to score 4th, 2nd and 1st allowing him to take the lead away from the Spaniard. Cian had a solid day with a 2nd, 8th and 2nd placing him 4th overall... the hero of the day was however Adam Hyland winning the two initial races back to back. Sean Donnelly confirmed promises showed at the Brasenmemeer regatta last Easter by scoring a 2nd, a 4th and 8th. Both sailors set into top 10 overall. The day finished with an Irish 1(peter), 2 (Cian), 3 ( Robert Dicksson) in the final race to the exitement of the Irish group. Rurai Finnegan was the most consistent overall in the seniors to settle in top 15.

Day 4 was the last day of the initial qualifying series in the juniors before the split to gold and silver. Peter did not slow down and started the day with a 4th and another impressive 1st when he took an incredible 2 minute lead, but the highlight of the day was surely his superb battle with team mate Cian on the final race. The two boys negociated perfectly the first beat to take an unsasisable lead to provide the most entertaining "mano a mano" display of the week which ultimately went to Cian. This is not to forget another set of impressive results from Sean Donelly (7, 4, 4), Adam (12, 10, 8), Sophie (10, 5, 10), Robert (8, 12, 12), Daire Cournane (17. 11, 6) and Erica Ruigrok (21, 6, 5). In the senior fleet. Consistency was not the name of the game, but Patrick Crosbie first ever race win at an event and Rurai's win put a smile on Stefano's face going back ashore.

Day 5 was surely very light and the forecast not the best, but the OOD managed to squeeze one race to start the finals. Sean Gambier Ross who had surprinsingly been discreet so far redeemed himself taking the lead in the gold. However he became victim of his speed when he caught up with the seniors who started ahead and could not manage to find clear air lane and control the two Americans hot on his tale at the same time and settled for 3rd. Another victim was Peter who was caught by seniors back markers at the leeward gate and could only recover to 16th. Cian had a solid race in 9th, Sean Donelly 10th. In the silver fleet, it was to be Ciaran Finnegan's day as he took the finish line gun. Tara Flood was the best finisher in the seniors taking a good 15th in the dying breeze.

Final day... with 3 races on the program, a 15-20kts forecast and rain, more rain and more more rain and many sailors still in contention for the title, it was to be a stressful but exciting day. The enthusiasm however got seriously wettened when Peter could not get off the start line and despite putting a great fight could only recover to 21st meaning the 16th collected the day before had to stand. Cian however displayed speed and abnegation to climb the fleet to take 3rd. Adam fought in the breeze to take 4th ahead of Daire (7th) and Sean Donnelly (10th). In the following race, Cian comfirmed he was growing in strengh by taking another 3rd while Peter once more had to play catch up to finish 7th. with just a race to go, 6 sailors could still get the title : 2 Americans, 2 british and our two Irish... the equation was simpler for Cian who was only 5 points adrift the american leader who seemed to find the breeze difficult. The task was more difficult for Peter who was now 7 points adrift... Cian took a superb start and seemed to take an early lead. However, his opposition was hot on his tail. At the windward, it was Sean Donnelly who surprised everyone with an impressive lead he increased on the downwind legs. Cian was 2nd with the American 6th, the two british respectively 3rd and 12th and Peter 13th. The second American was off the pace outside top 20 ending her chances. At the gate, the tension was huge with Cian still 2nd but under the pressure of the 3rd boat. The American had dropped a place and was under the direct pressure of Sophie Browne and Peter who had a solid run. The second British had been outpaced and dropped outside top 15. Sean took the gun, but Cian was just beaten and settled for 3rd. The anxious wait for American kid  finish was not too long. It was tight, very tight but Peter (5th) and Sophie (9th) managed to overtake him pushing him to 10th offering the title to Cian and Ireland. Then we had to wait to see if Peter had done enough to take the final podium position. Unfortunately there was still a point in it and he settled for 4th. Sophie was also chasing a podium position in the girls but settled for 4th as well only 3 points from a silver medal position.
In the Silver fleet, only two races were sailed. Jamie Tingle revealed in the challenging conditions to take a 4th and a 3rd closely followed by Ciaran Jordan (5th and 5th). Ciaran's good day earned him a 6th overall in the silver. In the seniors, the breeze suited Patrick Crosbie. He took another gun and ended his event with a 2nd climbing just at the door of a top 10 (11th). Rurai Finnegan fought well to save his 19th overall and Tara flood took 4th girl (27th overall)

Cian will now be the first Irish to add his name on the trophy alongside Olympians and great names of British and international sailing. Definitely a good reason for the parents and his team mates to sing the "fields of Athenry" when he received his award!

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