Congratulations to Darragh, Mark, Noel and Roisin McCormack and Tadhg O’Loinsigh from Foynes Yacht Club who qualified to take part in the 2018 J/24 World Championships in Lake Garda in August of this year.
The Championship started on Monday 27th August and continued until Friday 31st August. Almost 100 boats lined up at the start-line, a most beautiful testimony of how the J/24 Class is ever more alive and that characterised by the simple and genuine passion of the crews who do not necessarily seek the latest technological innovations but live sailing in the essence of pure seafaring.
It was a very challenging start-line with boats fighting for their place, steep learning curves for team “Stouche” but the sailing conditions were perfect and the location idealic. As the week progressed their performance improved finishing with a very credible 21st in the last race. They placed 57th overall, competing against some of the best in the world and against professional sailors also. They gained vast experience, made a lot of friends and are looking forward to their next championship.
It was a record-breaking J/24 World Championship, in its 40th year, held successfully in the waters of Riva del Garda by as many as 89 crews representing Australian, Brazil, Denmark, Estonia, France, Gran Bretagne, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Holland, Sweden and the United States of America.
A huge THANK YOU to their Sponsors i.e. Komatsu Ltd., Niaron Construction & Civil Engineering Ltd., Padraig Crowley Haulage & Plant Hire, Din-Form Construction Ltd. Killeline Leisure, Con Brouder Fitted Kitchens, Twomeys Bakery, Nearys Bar/Ardagh,
Whelans Bar/Newcastle West, Joshs Bar/Askeaton, Foynes Inn/Foynes and Carna Tyres, without your help and support it would not have been possible.
The support they received in Foynes before they went to Lake Garda, and the many members and friends who travelled to Lake Garda to support them was just incredible.
It was a great honour for Foynes Yacht Club to be represented for the first time ever in a World Championship and thank you Darragh, Mark, Noel, Roisin and Tadhg on “Stouche IRL4215” for making us all so proud.
A taste of what’s to come from this club in the future!!
