HYC team (L-R): William Lacy, Sam Crawford, Jamie McMahon, Daniel Hopkins,
Eve McMahon, Alex O’Grady, Sophia Crawford, Shane O’Brien, Ruth Lacy, Max Kavanagh
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17 HYC sailors travelled over to the 2013 Optimist National Championships which were held at the National Yacht Club over 4 days between the 14th & 18th of August. 193 boats from Ireland, Great Britain, Germany, USA, India, Spain and Malta competed. The schedule of 10 races was completed by all fleets in testing conditions. Winds varied from flat calm on Day 1 of the event to gusts of 35knts on the Saturday.
HYC sailors Daniel Hopkins and Jamie O'Grady in the Senior Fleet got off to a great start on Day 1 with 3 top 10 results between them after the first two races. Daniel was lying 2nd overall and 7th after Day 2 but given a strong shifty south-westerly breeze the following days of racing proved tough for all sailors to maintain top consistent results.
With 60 boats competing in the Senior Fleet, the Senior Open Champion title was awarded to Milo Gill-Taylor (GBR-Spinnaker SC) who sailed consistently throughout the event, and second and third overall also went to UK sailors. Harry Durcan (RCYC) who finished 4th overall was crowned the 2013 Irish National Senior Champion. Daniel Hopkins finished 15th (10th Irish), Jamie O'Grady 22th, Alex O'Grady 26th, Shane O'Brien 46th.
90 boats competed in the Junior Fleet. Germany's Roko Mohr (PWV-PLAU) won the Open Junior tittle on count back from Jamie Harris (GBR). Places 2-9 were also taken by the strong overseas fleet who came to practice in the waters which will host the 2014 Optimist European Championships. Eight HYC sailors competed in the Junior Fleet. Jamie McMahon had a superb regatta finishing 14th overall, 4th Irish and first under 11 sailor counting eight top 20 results. Max Kavanagh finished 33rd in the Gold Fleet with three top 20 results. First timers to the Nationals were Dylan O'Grady 51st(6th silver), Eve McMahon 54th (7th silver), Jack McMahon 76th, Robert Cleary 83rd, William Lacy 85th and Sam Crawford 87th. All did exceptionally well in the tough and windy conditions and will have gained a lot from the experience. This year's Nationals was an event for those who enjoy breezy conditions!
5 HYC sailors competed in the Regatta Fleet of 43 boats. The sailors did a combination of coaching in the mornings and racing during the afternoons. By all accounts Michael Fitzgibbon, Ruth Lacy, Hugh Turvey, Aoife McMahon and Sophia Crawford all enjoyed their first experience at a major event. No doubt we will shortly see them all in the Main Fleet!
Tara Flood (HYC Coach)
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Sam Crawford
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Jamie O'Grady
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Daniel Hopkins
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Shane O'Brien-1452
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