Ireland’s Philip Doran is 1st in his final race at the ISAF Youth Worlds

Young Irish Laser Radial sailor Philip Doran of Courtown Sailing Club proved he is a force to be reckoned with at the final day’s racing of the ISAF Youth Worlds in Zadar, Croatia.

Doran took charge of the 15 knot north-westerly from the beginning of the race, leading the fleet from the first mark. Competitors from Belgium, the UK and Australia tried to challenge him at the leeward mark but Doran continued to master the previously unseen wind conditions in this championship. On the second beat he exerted all his physical and mental strength and stormed in to the lead leaving the rest of the fleet to battle it out for second place. Doran ended the final race of the championship with an extraordinary first place win and finishing 10th overall, having also claimed five top 10 results during the course of the competition.

His ISA Coach Rory Fitzpatrick was deservedly complimentary of his performance “It hadn’t been going Philip’s way at the half way stage in the event. He was sitting towards the back of the fleet but he fought hard over the next few days and finished in the top 10 which just shows the level of determination and mental strength he has”.

But the success story doesn’t end there. Royal St George Yacht Club and Quoile Yacht Club Laser Radial sailor Sophie Murphy placed 23rd in her final race which saw her finishing 11th overall. This is the best result Ireland has ever had in the girl’s single handed competition since Ireland began competing at the ISAF Youth Worlds in 1971. Unlike her teammate, Murphy found the conditions tough today but she fought tooth and nail putting in her best personal performance at an international event so far in her career. Similarly to Philip Doran, she also had one race win and five top 10 results during the course of the championship.

Murphy’s ISA Coach Rory Fitzpatrick exuded enthusiasm about her future prospects declaring “This is Sophie’s personal best at an international event and the best we’ve ever had at the Youth Worlds but she’s only going to continue to grow and strengthen”.

Cork natives Emma Geary from Royal Cork Yacht Club and Niamh Connolly from Baltimore Sailing Club put in another strong performance in the 420 class today. They made good tactical decisions on the water which saw them finishing the race in 12th and finishing the championship in 17th overall. The girls showed their fineness in the stronger wind conditions of the past two days placing a 9th, a 6th and today’s 12th.

Their ISA Coach Ross Killian was delighted with their progression through the championship. “Overall the girls worked really hard learning new skills and improving throughout the event. They put in a really good performance.”

Results and news of the 2011 event is available on http://www.isafyouthworlds.com