Please select your home edition
Edition
CollinsonCo 728x90 TOP

Irish Sailing Legend to compete in Chicago this weekend at the Independence Cup

by Mary Ann O'Rourke 26 Jul 2023 18:44 NZST July 27-30, 2023
John Twomey © Mary Ann O'Rourke

Irish Sailing Association president John Twomey was a fierce cyclist in his teens, competing in the Rás, Ireland's annual international cycling race. However, a bicycle crash at the age of 15 left him paralysed from the waist down. The accident could not dampen his natural competitive spirit, though.

This weekend, not only will Twomey compete in the Independence Cup for sailors with disabilities taking place July 27-30 at Burnham Harbor, he will also serve as Guest Speaker at the 33rd Annual Independence Gala on July 28.

An Irish sailing legend, Twomey has represented Ireland at 11 consecutive Paralympic games winning medals at three of them. As a helmsman, he has competed in the triple handed Sonar, a 23-foot keelboat in the 2000 Sydney Games, 2004 Athens Games, 2012 London Games and 2016 Rio Games and the doublehanded SKUD-18 in the 2008 Beijing Games. At the 2015 ISAF World Championships in Weymouth, his team won the bronze medal in the Sonar Class.

"To me, sailing is simply chess on the water," says Twomey. "It's a highly tactical sport - sailor against the wind. As such, the sport is a great equalizer for those with disabilities."

The County Cork native, Twomey is the first disabled person to become president of the 20,000-member Irish Sailing Association.

The Independence Cup is hosted by the Judd Goldman Adaptive Sailing Foundation (JGASF), a Chicago-based non-profit organization that enables disabled adults as well as at-risk youth to learn the sport of sailing. All boats used in the Independence Cup are specially designed for disabled sailors. The boats are JGASF-owned and are available to the entrants at no cost. In addition, out-of-town race participants are offered complimentary stays at the Palmer House Hilton, a major sponsor of JGASF. Transportation is provided by Illinois-Cook Corporation. Shirley Ryan AbilityLab physicians are on hand for medical advice and attention during the race.

For the Independence Cup, Twomey will compete with two crew members on a Sonar.

"I look forward to coming to Chicago because the Judd Goldman group is so accommodating," says Twomey. "They have a great fleet of boats and a terrific group of volunteers."

Related Articles

Eve McMahon to carry Olympic Flame
Irish sailor selected to take part in the Olympic Torch Relay in Marseille Celebrations are about to get under way in Marseille, France today as the city prepares for the arrival of the Olympic flame to French soil. Posted on 9 May
Top ten finish for Finn Lynch
In the 2024 ILCA 7 Men World Championship With just six months left to the Paris 2024 Olympics, Ireland's Finn Lynch has ended his ILCA7 class world championships in ninth overall earlier today, his third top ten result at this level in four years. Posted on 5 Feb
Double bronze for Ireland in Youth Sailing Worlds
The most successful year ever for the Irish Sailing's Performance programme Irish sailors have secured two bronze medals at the conclusion of the Youth Sailing World Championships rounding off the most successful year ever for the Irish Sailing's Performance programme with a total of 12 medals. Posted on 17 Dec 2023
49er FX one year in!
In September 2022 Irish Sailing created a new development team in the Female 49er FX In September 2022 Irish Sailing created a new development team in the Female 49er FX Olympic class. Posted on 4 Dec 2023
Irish Match Racing takes the international stage
In full swing especially as we head into December Irish Match Racing is in full swing especially as we head into December. Posted on 4 Dec 2023
49er Europeans update
Dickson and Waddilove secure qualification for Ireland at Paris 2024 After six days battling light winds off Portugal's Algarve coast, Robert Dickson and Sean Waddilove have won the single nation place for the Paris 2024 Olympics at this year's 49er European Championship. Posted on 13 Nov 2023
Dickson and Waddilove holding in top ten
Irish pair in top ten as 49er European Championships reaches finale Ireland's Robert Dickson and Sean Waddilove are holding a top ten place as the 49er European Championships (Vilamoura, Portugal Sunday 12th November 2023) enters its grand finale on Monday with an Paris 2024 place at stake. Posted on 12 Nov 2023
Irish crew move up to sixth in Gold fleet
Robert Dickson and Sean Waddilove shoot up the leaderboard at 49er Europeans Ireland's Robert Dickson and Sean Waddilove shot up the leaderboard at the 49er European Championships (Vilamoura, Portugal Saturday 11th November 2023) as the Paris 2024 hopefuls improved from 13th to sixth place overnight. Posted on 12 Nov 2023
Marseilles test event marking the countdown
Ireland will have an entry in three classes, ahead of the Olympics With just over one year before the Sailing events of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games get under way, the Marseilles venue is preparing to stage a full rehearsal regatta for all involved next week (7th-16th July 2023). Posted on 4 Jul 2023
Watersports Inclusion Games with Irish Sailing
More than 1100 trips were made on the water this weekend More than 1100 trips were made on the water this weekend in Wexford Harbour by people of varying abilities and disabilities. Posted on 27 Jun 2023
Lloyd Stevenson - AC Alinghi 1456x180px BOTTOMMotomuck SaltyMuck Static 728 x 90 px BOTTOMTNI Pindar SW Ads_728x90px-5 BOTTOM