Southside sailor up for top award

A SOUTHSIDE sailor is among eight nominees from Dublin in contention for this year’s prestigious Irish Sailing Association (ISA) Annual Awards.

A total of 20 nominees have been announced across five categories with the Dubs up for all five titles.

Hundreds of members and supporters of the Irish sailing community come together for an evening of celebration when the winners will be announced at the ISA 8th Annual Awards Ball in the Royal Marine Hotel, Dun Laoghaire.

The female star of Irish sailing, Annalise Murphy from Rathfarnham, is one of those up for an award.

Annalise had an outstanding year in 2013 when she kicked off the summer season with two gold medals in as many weeks, first at the Italian Olympic Week and then in Holland at the Delta Lloyd Regatta.

A month later she took bronze at Sail for Gold in Weymouth, the home of her bitter disappointment 12 months prior.

Up next was the Laser Radial European Championship in September but the pressure was really on for Annalise to perform.

After all it was being hosted in her own club – the National Yacht Club in Dun Laoghaire.

With all eyes on her she certainly didn’t disappoint, scooping gold with a staggering 22-point lead.

Paving the way for future international and Olympic successes are the 91 talented youth sailors who are rising through the ranks of the ISA Performance Pathway Programme.

Among them is 17-year-old Finn Lynch, who sails from the National Club in Dun Laoghaire.

Finn has become a fierce competitor on the international circuit.

Improving on an ISAF Youth Worlds Silver medal in 2012 was always going to be a big ask but the young Laser sailor had a tremendous season of competition last year where he dominated at a number of international events.

Victories in the U21 Men’s Laser Radial World Championships, the U21 Men’s Laser Radial European Championships and bronze in the Men’s Laser Radial Senior World Championships added another three major international medals to Finn’s trophy cabinet.

The Instructor of the Year award, supported by Parasol Sun Care, has a total of five nominees with three representing Dublin clubs.

Ben Fusco is currently Head Coach at the Royal St George Yacht Club in Dun Laoghaire. He comes from a strong sailing family and is a member of the UCD team that won the Student World Championships in 2012.

Graeme Grant is the Sail Training Manager at Howth Yacht Club. He develops and delivers training programs and pathways for members.

Jill Roy from Loughlinstown began sailing an Optimist in Dun Laoghaire 14 years ago. She became an instructor in 2008 and has worked in Sutton Dinghy and Greystones Sailing Club as well as the National Yacht Club in Dun Laoghaire.