Laser Munster Championships 2019
While very many of you were enjoying your Easter break, 95 sailors from all over Ireland made their way to Baltimore, in West Cork for the Laser Munster Championships. 21 of these sailors represented the RSGYC. Every fleet of Laser had a smattering of George sailors, across all age profiles, all of whom did very well, in spite of some very challenging weather conditions. Baltimore is an amazing part of Ireland but given the topography it can lead to either glorious or trying conditions, this weekend was the latter. The wind was a no show for most of the event, and the mist, which makes Baltimore a photographer’s dream, frustrating every sailor there.
The Radial fleet was the most populated with 38 sailors competing. It is from this highly competitive fleet the Irish youth sailors will be chosen to represent Ireland at the Youth World championships this summer. Jack Fahy won his ISAF slot from this fleet at the Pathway Nationals in RSGYC last year. 5 RSGYC sailors had top 20 finishes in this fleet – Kate Fahy was 9th overall and 4th Lady, Sean Craig 10th and First Master, In 12th place and 2nd Master was Conor Clancy, with Finn Walker and Sarah Fogarty finishing just behind in 13th and 15th respectively, with Sarah 5th Lady. Also competing in this fleet for the ‘George were Judy O’Beirne, Cian Lynch, Shirley Gilmore, Brendan Hughes and Sean Flanagan.
The 4.7 fleet was 31 in number and it was our seasoned exOppie sailors, many of whom are also ex International sailors, who made their mark here! Alana Coakley, recently returned from sailing her 29er in Weymouth, battled admirably to win the First Lady prize and finish 5th overall. She was closely followed by 2nd and third Ladies Iseult Hogan and Kitty Flanagan, in 7th and 9th place respectively. Other RSGYC sailors in this fleet were Kei Walker, Oisin Hughes and Charlie Lydon. We would like to wish these, and all our, Radial and 4.7 sailors the very best of luck on behalf of the club, as they now travel to RCYC in Crosshaven, where they battle it out for Youth World’s, Irish team and Irish Sailing Academy places. It promises to be a very windy event and will challenge everyone, including their supporters!
The Standard fleet at 26 strong, had some great RSGYC sailors There was some neck and neck sailing and RSGYC sailors finishing in 10th, 11th and 12th positions were Gavan Murphy, Ross O’Leary and Marc Coakley. As with all the other fleets, this is a tough one, particularly hard and frustrating in no wind! The sailing was great and the standard fierce, as with the younger sailors there were many ex ISAF, National Champions and Olympic contenders competing here!
Well done everyone – Good luck in RCYC!
