CLYC Sailors get Results Away

Photo: Action at the start line in Baltimore.

Despite no racing at the club for two weekends,CLYC sailors have been busy. At the Munster Championships in Baltimore on 22nd and 23rd April, Henry McLaughlin and Paul McParland sailed in the Laser Radial class while Dara O’Connor and Helen McParland sailed in the Laser 4.7 Class. Three races were sailed each day in variable breeze and sunshine. The magnificent vista of Baltimore bay provided an ideal location for this important world ranking event. McLaughlin started the first day well with a 3rd and a 7th. A seemingly safe tenth in the third race disappeared with a capsize at the last leeward mark costing him five places. With an 11th, 17th and another 15th on day two he finished 9th overall and 6th youth. This gives him a ranking of 6th among Irish Junior Radial sailors and should be enough to give him a place in the World Championships this summer in La Rochelle. McParland in his first trip to Baltimore gained valuable experience to take with him to the Irish Youth Nationals held at Dun Laoghaire last weekend. In the 4.7 fleet Helen McParland did well to finish 30th in the 60 strong fleet with a best result of 9th in race 1. O’Connor settled for 40th overall and both will surely improve at the youth nationals.

While all this racing was going on, back at the club ace sailor Finbar Bradley was coaching 18 promising juniors in the art of race technique. The Orr Trophy, due to start soon, will obviously be very hotly contested this year.

The Mitsubishi Irish Youth Nationals were held from Friday 29th April till Monday 2nd May and final results were not available at the time of going to press. Conor O’Farrell was lying in 5th place overall in the Topper class after a bullet in race 6, O’Connor had a best result of 17th in the very competitive 4.7 fleet and was lying in 28th overall. Helen McParland was in 33rd position again after 7 races.

No racing last Sunday as very strong winds but Wednesday sailing starts again on 4th May and Orr Trophy on Tuesday 10th May. See website for details.