There was an historic 1, 2, 3 result for the club at the second and final leg of the Optimist Trials in Dun Laoghaire last weekend. The trials which are to decide the Irish representatives at the European Championships, French Nationals and British Junior Championships concluded yesterday with the Royal Cork filled five of the seven places available on the European Team, a further five of the ten French team slots and two of the Under 12 Squad.
The trials was won in convincing fashion by Peter McCann (RCYC) who won 4 of the thirteen races sailed and had the luxury of being able to discard a 3rd place. Hot on his heals came Seafra Guilfoyle (RCYC) who showed remarkable skill and determination in to bring the challenge to Peter on the last weekend with a further 4 wins. Patrick Crosbie (RCYC) completed the podium with Sean Donnelly of the National YC pipping John Durcan (RCYC) for the final European Team slot.
Sophie Browne (TBSC/RCYC) was the best of the girls and qualified for the European Team with Jil McGinley (RCYC) also sailing very well and easily making the team. Erica Ruigrok of Skerries SC completes the girls’ team for the Europeans.
Of the thirteen races sailed, 12 were won by Royal Cork sailors and the first three places were filled by Royal Cork sailors on 9 occasions. Other race winners from Crosshaven were Patrick Crosbie (2 wins), John Durcan and Philip Brownlow.
The team for the French Nationals has five Royal Cork sailors. John Durcan was unlucky to miss out on selection for the European Team finish in 5th place overall was top qualifier for France. Daire Cournane (KYC/RCYC) was easily the best Junior sailor and qualified for both the French National and Under 12 Squad. Philip Brownlow had a great last day (1,3,3) to cement his place in 8th overall. Harry Whitaker’s place was never in doubt with a string of consistent top ten results in 9th. Eoin Lyden sailed really well, particularly in the second weekend of the trials, to ensure selection in 11th overall and qualify with several points to spare.
The under 12 squad for the British Junior Championships includes Daire Cournane and Jamie Tingle from the Royal Cork.
The complete results are available online here. Photos of the 2nd leg of the trials can be found on FotoSail.com here.
Much of the success of the Royal Cork sailors was down to the excellent support they got from our coaches Stefano Cherin from Trieste in Italy and Donagh Good (and George Kenefick who came to Dublin for the weekend to support the team). Stefano, George and Donagh (along with Maeve Leonard and Katie Tingle) have been working with this group of sailors almost every weekend since February. This coaching, together with the superb support they gave the sailors on the water over both weekends of the trials, helped the sailors to achieve these wonderful results for themselves and the club.
The full teams are
European Team
Peter McCann RCYC
Seafra Guilfoyle RCYC
Patrick Crosbie RCYC
Sean Donnelly NYC
Sophie Browne TBSC/RCYC
Jill Mc Ginley RCYC
Erica Ruigrok SSC/HYC/RSC
International development Team (French Team)
John Durcan RCYC
Sean Gambier-Ross KYC
Daire Cournane KYC/RCYC
Philip Brownlow RCYC
Harry Whitaker RCYC
Adam Hyland RStGYC
Eoin Lyden RCYC
Sandy Aplin RStGYC
Megan Parker SSC
Niamh Henry RStGYC
Under 12’s Squad
Daire Cournane KYC/RCYC
Sandy Aplin RStGYC
Robert Dickson LRYC/SDC/HYC
Fergus Flood HYC
Richard Hogan HYC
Megan Parker SSC
Niamh Henry RStGYC
Cliodhna Ni Shuilleabhain KYC
Conor O’Beirne RStGYC
Aoife Hopkins HYC/NYC
Sorcha Donnelly
Donal Collins
Jamie Tingle RCYC
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