Irish Sailor Finn Lynch wins U19 Laser Standard Worlds in France

by Rachel Solon 23 Aug 2014 21:36 BST 16-23 August 2014

Aspiring Olympian Finn Lynch is the new U19 Laser Standard World Sailing Champion. The Carlow native and member of the ISA's Development Squad made a comeback this afternoon (23 August) at the U21 Laser Standard & Radial World Championship in Douarnenez, France to win Gold in the U19 category.

The regatta began on Monday (18 August) and after 10 races in varying, shifty conditions Lynch lay 8th overall in the 101 boat fleet and 3rd U19. The final race began this afternoon and Lynch, with his eyes on the prize, got off to a great start and battled it out at the top of the fleet throughout the 40 minute race. He crossed the line to finish 3rd, comfortably ahead of overnight U19 leaders Joel Rodriguez from Spain and Maxim Nikolaev from Russia, to claim the U19 World title and Gold medal. He narrowly missed out on the U21 Bronze, finishing 4th overall.

This is a significant achievement for Lynch, having only graduated to the senior Laser Standard class earlier this year. In less than three weeks' time he will compete alongside fellow Laser Standard sailor James Espey from the Irish Olympic Sailing Team - Providence Team IRL in Santander, Spain at the first 2016 Olympic qualifier event. During this championship, Lynch will be aspiring to finish within the top 23 nations in order to qualify Ireland for the Rio Games.

ISA Performance Director James O'Callaghan comments "Another podium finish at the Worlds makes it one of sailing's most successful seasons. For Finn the achievement is even more remarkable given that it's his second World title in as many years".

His fellow teammate Fionn Lyden from Cork finished an impressive 11th overall. Meanwhile in the female Laser Radial class, Tipperary local Aisling Keller also narrowly missed out on a medal finishing 4th in the U19 category and 22nd overall.

www.douarnenez-voile.fr/mondial-laser-2014-douarnenez