National Yacht Club

Finn Lynch Bio (19) I have been sailing since I was 8 years old, following in the footsteps of my older brothers Ben and Rory, I was crazy for sailing!. I attended CBS Carlow and was competitive in many sports at a younger age before focusing completely on Sailing at the age of 16. Since I started training hard I’ve been breaking records. I am a 4 times ISA Youth Sailor of the Year and some of my career highlights are listed below. Toppers – 2nd and 4th place at World Championships in 2009 and 2010. These were the best Irish results in a topper at the time. – I was also the first Irish boat to win the British Nationals. In more recent years I’ve had more success than ever. Laser Radial – 2nd place at the 2012 ISAF Youth World Championships in Dublin. This was the best Irish result ever at the ISAF Youth Worlds. – I also came 1st under 17 in the 2012 European Championships in Belgium – 1st place under 21 World Championships 2013 – 2nd place senior Europeans – 3rd place senior Worlds Laser Standard – 1st under 19 in World Championships 2014 – 4th under 21 in World Championships 2014 – 4th under 19 in the European Championships 2014   I finished the Leaving Cert in June 2014 and since then have been training full time with my goal to represent my country and club at the Olympic Games in Rio 2016. I spend most of time travelling between events and training camps in Europe. This winter I spent a lot of time in Croatia training with Olympic and World medallists alike under the tutelage of Jozo Jakelic, one of the best Laser coaches in the world. I have made huge progress in this environment.   The Irish trials for the Olympics are in full flight right now. I have just competed in Rio, where I placed just a single point short of my main contender (…and that was with a dislocated shoulder from an accident on my training bike). Next are 2 big events in Palma in March and Mexico in early May. The best score from these three events will represent Ireland in the Laser Standard in Rio 2016.   I currently have no financial sponsors, and scrape by with the help of my family, some generous friends, the National Yacht Club members, and with support from the Irish Sailing Association (who provide good coaching and conditioning support, but no financials). I estimate that to get me to Palma and Mexico, and ultimately Rio, requires about 25,000 euros. This is a major concern going forward…the guys I compete against are all very well funded.   Representing the National Yacht Club is something I take very seriously and I would be honoured to represent not only Ireland but NYC at the Olympics in Rio 2016.   To have any chance of qualifying, I urgently need to raise 25,000 Euros, and sincerely hope that you can help me.   Send your donations to Finn Lynch, c/o National Yacht Club, 01-2805725   Finn Lynch, Feb 9th 2016 (Mobile – 085-7348298, email finnlynch@hotmail.com).