Towards the end of last September two of Courtowns laser sailors, Ciar�n Hurney and Ronan McGovern took part in the ISA Autumn Regional Squad Training in NYC, This involved 3 weekends and a week of training during the mid-term. The sessions were headed by Maurice O'Connell (Prof) who is training to go to the Olympics in the Star Class in 2008, other coaches over the sessions included many of the sailors also training to go to the 2008 olympics such as Ger Owens (470), Ciara Peelo (Laser Radial), Russell and Matt McGovern (49er), Rory Fitzpatrick (Laser) and his training partner in Athens Gavan Jones (Laser). Both Ciar�n and Ronan learned alot over the 11 sessions as these took place in different conditions to Courtown, such as stronger breeze and bigger requirement for a good wave technique.

The ISA Spring Regional Squad Training took place in NYC again but this time only Ciar�n Hurney attended. Again it was 11 sessions on the water but the coaches varied as Prof had to devote his time to his own training. The mid-term coaches were headed by Jon Lazenby a former Olympic sailor in the Laser, Ross McDonald (Former Radial Sailor), Gavan Jones, Tim Goodbody (Finn). Ciar�n learned a lot from these sessions and they were the last preparation before the Laser Munster Championships in Baltimore and ISA Youth Nationals in Kinsale. Between the two events the ISA Academy is chosen.

Both Ciar�n and Ronan will be representing Courtown at the Munster Championships with Ciar�n going on to the ISA Youth Nationals in Kinsale. Both events take place over the coming week. The results will be available on the ISA website shortly after. www.sailing.ie