Jane BUTLER, Jenny ANDREASSON and Matthew O’DOWD have successfully earned selection for the prestigious Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championship.

BUTLER and ANDREASSON will compete in the Girl’s 420 double handed sailing discipline, while O’DOWD will sail in the Boy’s Laser Radial single handed discipline.

Winning the nomination to represent Ireland at the Youth Worlds is a two-part process. Initially sailors have to win the Irish Sailing Association (ISA) nomination series, which combines class specific Munster championships and the ISA Youth Nationals. The second criterion is the attainment of a defined international standard at pre-identified events.

James O’CALLAGHAN, ISA Performance Director, commented, “I’ve been involved in ISA Youth Nationals since 1992 and without doubt 2009 was the most competitive I have witnessed. Great credit goes to both teams selected today; they worked hard over the winter and produced some magnificent sailing over the two events. “

All three sailors are members of the Royal St George Yacht Club and active participants in the Club’s Youth Sailing Scheme (YSS).

O’CALLAGHAN continued, “I’m excited about the potential they have to produce something special in Brazil and indeed about their long term prospects in the Olympic programme.”

Further teams in the Boy’s 420 double handed, Girl’s Laser Radial and Hobie class may be confirmed at a later date.

As O’CALLAGHAN explained, “A couple of teams need to complete the final bit of the jigsaw to secure selection, I’m extremely optimistic we will be announcing more team members shortly!” 

ISA Squad 2009

Event	Equipment	Team Member
Boy’s One Person Dinghy	Laser Radial	Matthew O’DOWD
Girl’s One Person Dinghy	Laser Radial	TBC
Boy’s Windsurfer	RS:X with 8.5m2 sail & 60cm fin	Not entered
Girl’s Windsurfer	RS:X with 8.5m2 sail & 60cm fin	Not entered
Boy’s Two Person Dinghy	420	TBC
Girl’s Two Person Dinghy	420	Jane BUTLER and Jenny ANDREASSON
Open Multihull	Hobie 16 with Spinnaker	TBC

Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championship – www.sailing.org/youthworlds