McNaughton and Cronin duo excel on the world stage

CORA McNaughton and Sean Cronin achieved an 11th place finish at the 2024 British 420 Nationals two weekends ago.

McNaughton, hailing from Old Bawn in Tallaght, alongside Cronin were one of two boats from Ireland competing at the event held in Dale, Pembrokeshire, South Wales.

Of the 12 races scheduled nine went ahead, with the strong weather conditions having an abject effect on proceedings.

One particular race on the Saturday garnered much controversy with too many boats crossing the line early due to a strong tide.

This prevented the race officer from identifying every boat ultimately resulting in the race being thrown out.

Unfortunately for McNaughton and Cronin, that particular race would have been their best position, a seventh place finish.

The event pushes boundaries year on year, given the unpredictability of the weather on any given day.

The wind conditions remained strong (15-25 knots) for most of the event which was favourable.

Technology is another boundary which the British 420 Nationals is looking to push through, with drone technology utilised this year in conjunction with race rules as a helping hand for Race Officers.

McNaughton and Cronin also broke new ground this year, improving on a 20th place finish in the 2023 British Nationals by nine spots in 2024.

There is no success without disappointment in any facet of sport, and this is no different for the pair.

Their success in South Wales is all the sweeter given the setback they suffered earlier in the year at the Open Europeans.

McNaughton was delighted overall with how the weekend panned out.

“The best bit was being up there with the best in the World and seeing what we can do to improve to stay up with them in the future and we learnt so much” Cora commented.

Eight position was the pair’s best individual finish of the event, a remarkable achievement considering the standard of some of the participants.

For context, the top five of the British Fleet are contesting for Podium positions in Some of the duo’s opponents ranged from a 4th place finisher at the Junior Europeans, a British 470 squad graduate(an Olympic Class boat), the 2023 British Champion, a former British Youth Champion and a 3rd place finisher at the Open Europeans.

After a 11th place finish this year, McNaughton and Cronin will be part of the standard bearers at next year’s competition.