Eight members of HYC competed in the 1st leg of the IODAI Optimist Trials 2009 which was held at RCYC on 17th - 19th April. The Trials are used to determine teams for the European Championships in Slovenia, an International Development Team who will travel to the French National Championships and an U-12s Squad who will go to the UK Championships in Largs. Those sailors who qualify in the top 5 may opt to travel to the World Championships in Brazil.
Under the watchful eye of coach Alistair Kissane, HYC was represented by Tara and Fergus Flood, Alex Delamer, Cillian McGreer, Robert Ferris, Craig Campbell, Erica Ruigrok and Xander Morrison. Racing over the first two days was held up towards Cuskinny in a 12-18 knots easterly breeze. The third day of racing was on the Curlane Bank in considerably lighter southerly winds which gave a balance to the overall conditions sailed.
Philip Cowman acted as PRO and got the full schedule of 8 races sailed. At the half way point Peter McCann (RCYC) is leading followed by Colm O'Regan (KYC) and Alexander Rumball (RStGYC).
Of note from HYC in this very competitive 62 boat fleet was Xander Morrison who made his intensions known by claiming 6 top places over the first two days including a fine race win in Race 5 and is lying 4th overall. Tara Flood had a very consistent start with 3 top 10 placings, lies 12th overall and remains in contention for one of the 3 girl slots on the European Team. Robert Ferris is lying 17th overall and had an excellent 2nd day with a 5th in Race 5 having lead all the way round until caught at the finish. Robert had 4 top 20 finishes as did Cillian McGreer. Craig Campbell had 3 top 20's.
This is just the half way stage in the Optimist Trials with another 8 races scheduled for Lough Ree over the May Bank Holiday weekend from the 2nd-4th May.
We wish all our sailors the very best at Lough Ree and hope that their efforts will be rewarded and that the wind shifts are favourable.
The overall results can be seen on www.iodai.com in the results section.
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