Dolan on crest of a wave after winning bronze medal

A 15-year-old Irish sailor has made history by winning a bronze medal at the Laser Radial World Championships in Brisbane, Australia.

Alex Dolan, from Kinsale Community School and Royal Cork Yacht Club, finished third in the U17 category, the highest placing ever achieved by an Irish sailor in this competition.

Dolan, a member of the Irish Sailing Association’s Youth Academy, has shown exceptional form this year, finishing second in the South American championships in Brazil in February, against competitors up to four years older than him.

He has also represented his country on two European Optimist teams.

“I am over the moon,” his father Mark admitted yesterday. “He has a tremendous passion for sailing and this is a wonderful achievement. We could not have imagined this kind of result.”

“He is in transition year and the school has been fantastic and they have accommodate his schedule in Brazil and Australia.

“The people in Australia were magnificent also,” said Mark. “I just had to pay for the air fare and he was met at the airport by a family who took him home and treated him like a king and sorted out the boats and everything.

“Ironically, after the third day he was in second place. Over the last two days he slipped back into third and he is disappointed with the result!

“He is very dedicated kid. He has been sailing since he was ten and is very dedicated.”

Alex comes from a strong sailing background, as his older brother, Jarod, and sister, Katy, are both in training for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China.

Alex returns from Australia today and is expected at Cork Airport shortly before 11am.