In arguably the finest performance of any Irish sailors in 2001, Peter Bayly (18) and his cousin William Atkinson (13) became Ireland's youngest sailing world champions when they lifted the Mirror dinghy world championship trophy in August.

The freshwater-based pair mastered the tricky waters off Howth in their 10 foot 10 inch craft to dazzle a fleet of 98 boats drawn from six nations.

In a consistent manner over a 10-race regatta, the Lough Derg Yacht Club duo counted three race wins, two seconds, a third and a seventh before taking the biennial title that the pair intend to use as a springboard for a 2008 Olympic campaign.