The 2019 Optimist Worlds held in Antigua drew to a close this week with some really fabulous results from our Irish team, including 2 of our very own Royal Cork sailors James Dwyer Matthews & Ben O’Shaughnessy.
With 255 global sailors competing in the event they have really showed their class and determination to succeed. Coming in 13th overall for James was an amazing achievement along with some amazing results for Ben in his heats finishing as high as 6th in one race. Well done to you both, not forgetting the other 3 non RCYC Irish Team sailors whom achieved great results too, Rocco Wright (finishing 10th overall), Sam Ledoux & Luke Turvey. All in all Team Ireland did us proud once again, thank you for your hard work and devotion to first of all qualifying for the event and secondly for the commitment you showed during the event, very well done!
These World events are not for the faint hearted, with all those World Class Optimist sailors competing for positions and results in a country which they are totally unfamiliar with, all looking for victory. This is a daunting yet exciting task for any sailor, especially sailors so young as ours! Hopefully this event will hold them in good stead for future events and competitions in times ahead. With some amazing Champagne sailing conditions on some days, and other days very Irish conditions, they put on a great show of skill and determination as they raced through the various heats. Not a bad way to spend their summer really, sailing with the worlds top Optimist sailors in Antigua, great memories being made for sure!
Once again guys very well done, you made us all very proud! Welcome back to your home turf, enjoy the rest of your summer now and look back at some of your amazing memories with a smile and remember, it’s the Munster’s at Dunmore East this weekend!
Craig O’Neill
RCYC Optimist Class Captain
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