Malahide Yacht Club

Scott Flanigan, who has just qualified for the 2012 Olympics with 470 partner Ger Owens, took a couple of days off from overseas training at home in Malahide last weekend, and found time to pop down to the Broadmeadows pen to chat with MYC Optimist sailors who were going out on the water with coach David Bailey and coaching assistant Colm Roche.

Scott told the sailors that he had learnt to sail on the Broadmeadows and that he was delighted to see the new clubhouse, as it’s important to be able to get warm, have hot showers, and hot chocolate after a day on the water!

A number of enthusiastic sailors had questions for Scott, and in response he told them that he and Ger are heading next to compete in an event in Holland. After that, it will be full-on training in preparation for the Olympic Regatta at Weymouth in August.

Scott has just turned 19, and was sailing Optimists until 4 years ago when he began sailing Lasers and then 420s. He told sailors to sail everywhere and everything that they get the chance to, to learn from all sailing experiences, and to remember to eat well and keep fit.

Sailors, coaches and parents joined Commodore Bob Sugrue in congratulating Scott on his achievements so far. We all wish Scott and Ger well in their Olympic campaign, joining the 2012 squad that includes another MYC sailor David Burrows who is competing in his fourth Games.

Scott becomes the seventh Malahide YC Olympian, along with Robin Hennessy, David Wilkins, Robert & Peter Dix, David Burrows and Ciara Peelo. With the exception of 1984, MYC has been represented at every Olympic Regatta since 1972!