Tom Coulter crowned Irish sailing champion

PORTRUSH Yacht Club's Tom Coulter is the newly crowned ILCA6 Irish National Sailing champion!
The Ballymena Academy student was thrilled at taking the coveted crown, admitting it 'was tough racing in challenging conditions.'
“But the big winds suited me,” he said. “It is especially pleasing to win the Championship after missing out on International events in the summer due to injury.”
Coulter, who turns 19 next month, said he was hoping his fitness had not suffered too much after rehab, and intended to give it his all in search of success.
“It is great to end my Youth Sailing on a high,” he said, after what was his last major event at this level.
He now turns his attention to the full rig ILCA7 Laser Dingy as part of the Under-21 programme.
Next up is some training in Marseille, alongside the Irish Senior Sailing Team, who are preparing for Paris 24 Olympics, followed by the Under-21 World Championships in Morrocco in October.

Howth YC

Meanwhile, at the 2023 ILCA National (Open) Championships at Howth Yacht Club in Dublin 120 competitors took part in three separate classes.
This is a hotly contested Championship and with the remnants of Storm Betty creating strong winds and rough seas the three day event provided plenty of action.
With winds of up to 25 knots, the fleets braved the choppy conditions and embarked on a challenging race course which certainly tested their resilience.
For local sailor Coulter the pressure was on.
This was his first event after suffering a significant back injury in June which forced him to miss out on International events over the summer, including the World Championships in Poland.
Following a period of rest and rehab he was determined to come back with a bang.
As the starting gun sounded, Coulter was straight out of the blocks, and it was clear that one of the main contests would be between Coulter and his Irish Performance Academy teammate Fiachra McDonnell, from Royal St George in Dun Laoghaire, who was defending his title of National Champion.
Around the course the two sailed in close company edging ahead from early on. Others near the front end included Rocco Wright, under 21 European Champion on his home turf, and Sam Ledoux, Irish Academy sailor from Dun Laoghaire.
Coulter however kept his cool, and despite consistent pressure and testing conditions he bagged first place in all three races on day one.
The next morning saw the winds moderate slightly with Coulter in Gold position overnight going into the final day of racing.
He donned the leader’s bib and set his sights on holding on to his placing for the remainder of the Championship.
With four races scheduled, Coulter came out strong again, and fought hard, achieving a two second positions and a third. Neck and neck on points with McDonnell, the teammates battled fiercely in what was becoming a two-boat race for Gold.
It came down to the final race however Coulter held his nerve and took the crown of ILCA6 Irish National Champion 2023.