Hundreds of young sailors battle on Belfast Lough hoping to become European Champions

360 young sailors from across the globe are battling in the ILCA 6 Youth European Championships.

360 young sailors from across the globe are battling in the ILCA 6 Youth European Championships.
Author: Hannah PattersonPublished 2nd Aug 2024
Last updated 2nd Aug 2024

If you're looking out onto Belfast Lough this week... you may well see hundreds of sailors in boats.

360 young sailors from across the globe are battling in the ILCA 6 Youth European Championships.

Co Downs Ballyholme Yacht Club is hosting the event - which is the biggest of its kind to ever come to the Island of Ireland.

Ballyholme won the bid to host the event, bringing hundreds to the city of Bangor for the week.

Locals lined the Seacliff Road last Sunday and clapped the competitors aged 15 to 18 years old, for the opening ceremony parade.

We spoke to some of the competitors at Ballyholme Yacht Club this morning:

Bobby Driscoll from Holywood told CoolFM/Downtown exclusively: “I’ve got a lot of tremendous pressure on myself; it is my home club as well. Today, I’ve had a mental reset, I’m trying to get my confidence back and I’m ready to show everyone I have it in me.”

Bobby Driscoll from Holywood

Paula Ruz (17) from Spain spoke of her love for the sport: “It’s just inside of me. The sailing, sea, and wind, I just love it. I’m kind of nervous, kind of excited and I hope everyone does well in the regatta.”

Paula Ruz from Spain

18-year-old Lorenzo Bogni from Italy said: “Today will be more windy I hope so it will be exciting! Northern Ireland is quite cold, but nice and green. I am just hoping to do my best today.”

Lorenzo Bogni from Italy

Speaking to Rob Mulligan, who is the commodore of Ballyholme Yacht Club and a part of the event organising committee, he said: “Many of us have been down here for two weeks since competitors started arriving, anyone in Bangor would have seen loads of boats arriving. The team started training here early last and week the numbers have steadily been building on site”

“The place is full and it’s absolutely buzzing, and I think most people we have been speaking to have never seen the place so full so it’s really really good for the community.”

“It’s good for the club, but it’s also filling the bed spaces far and wide, and people are spending money locally so it’s not just good for the yacht club its good for the borough and beyond.”

Tomorrow is the final day of sailing, with the award ceremony taking place tomorrow evening.