FIN COCHRANE YORKSHIRE LAD SAILING STORY
I am an ultra keen 16 year old British Youth ILCA 7 (Laser Standard) sailor. Passionate about sailing, I am absolutely determined to be the best sailor I can be!
Having discovered sailing in August 2020, aged 11, when completing my Scout Adventure Challenge, I was hooked.
A Yorkshire lad; Yorkshire Dales Sailing Club is my Home Club. I am hugely grateful to the legends at Yorkshire Dales, who inspired, coached and supported me, right at the beginning of my sailing journey.
From 2022 - 2024 I trained with some first class ILCA coaches:
Alastair Goodwin & Ali Young @ North & Midlands Regional Training Group (RTG) 2022/2023
Steve Irish & Steph Harding @ Draycote Academy Training 2023/2024
Iain McLaughlan & Clem Thompson @ RYA Scotland ILCA Class Academy Training 2023/2024
I have been training with ♦️Coach Charlie Linsell since February 2024. In May 2024 I was very fortunate to be placed with Charlie on the Performance Academy Mentee Programme, which gives me regular, personal, mentee support. I also work with 🤜 Coach & Senior ILCA 7 sailor Alastair Brown, at the Performance Academy.
Since February 2024, I have trained regularly with 💪 ILCA Coach Pablo Marí. In August 2025, I was incredibly proud to be selected for a place on the Real Club de Regatas de Alicante (RCRA) ILCA Youth Race Team, in Spain, with Coach Pablo. This is a fantastic opportunity for me to train and race in Spain, with a brilliant ILCA coach and team, at a fabulous club!
FIN COCHRANE YORKSHIRE LAD SAILING JOURNEY
I progressed from novice sailor aged 11 to European competitor aged 15.
13/08/2020
Aged 11: I sailed for the first time ever, in a Topper, to complete my Scouts Adventure Challenge. I sailed a Topper for 18 months.
26/02/2022
Aged 12: I was very lucky to get my first ILCA 4, thanks to a legacy from my Gran & Grampa C. I sailed an ILCA 4 for 14 months.
16/04/2023
Aged 14: I made the transition into the ILCA 6 Class. I sailed an ILCA 6 for 2 years.
29/07/24
Aged 15: I qualified for and competed in the 2024 ILCA 6 Youth European Championships, in Ballyholme, Ireland.
13/04/2025
Aged 15: I qualified for and competed in the 2025 ILCA 6 Youth European Championships, in Vilamoura, Portugal.
01/07/2025
Aged 16: I made the transition into the ILCA 7 Class. I am currently working hard to adapt my skills and build my strength to meet the demands of the larger rig.
FIN COCHRANE Yorkshire Lad Sailing SUCCESSES
ILCA 7 ILCA UK NATIONAL OPEN (QUALIFIER) RACING EVENTS
• In October 2025, at Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy (aged 16) I competed in my first ILCA 7 National Open event.
• I was chuffed to be placed 25th out of 44!
I am super proud of the progress I made in the ILCA 6:
ILCA 6 YOUTH (15-18) EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS
• In August 2024, in Ireland (aged 15) I was placed 39th in Emerald fleet.
• In April 2025, in Portugal (aged 15) I jumped up 41 places, and was 53rd in Bronze Fleet.
ILCA 6 ILCA UK NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
• In August 2023, at Hayling Island (aged 14) I was placed 35th in the Silver Fleet and 92nd Overall.
• In August 2024, at Weymouth (aged 15) I was 48th in Gold Fleet and 48th Overall. Having made 44 places improvement since the previous year’s Nationals, I was the most improved male in the ILCA 6 fleet.
ILCA 6 ILCA UK NATIONAL OPEN (QUALIFIER) RACING EVENTS
• In September 2023, at Paignton (aged 14) I was placed 28th in Silver Fleet and 65th Overall.
• In September 2024, at Plas Heli (aged 15) I was 17th in Gold Fleet and 17th Overall.
FIN COCHRANE YORKSHIRE LAD SAILING rya DINGHY INSTRUCTOR
QUALIFICATIONS
In August 2025 I qualified as an RYA Dinghy Instructor.
I have the following relevant, up to date RYA qualifications:
- Power Boat 2
- Safety Boat
- First Aid
- Safe And Fun.
EXPERIENCE
I have experience shadow instructing on two RYA courses at the Andrew Simpson Centre in Portland :
- RYA Adult Level 1/2
- RYA Child Stage 4.
Last summer I completed two weeks of work experience, with children from Nursery age to Year 6, in a Primary School in Bradford.
GIVING BACK
There are a lot of people in sailing who have been really good to me. It was volunteers who taught me to sail.
I would love to do some dinghy instructor work, to give back to the sailing community. To help make sure that others can have some of the amazing experiences that I have had.
TRUE TO THE BRITISH YOUTH SAILOR CORE VALUES
I believe in and am true to the five core values that all British Youth Sailors are expected to demonstrate:
- I am passionately ambitious; I strive to be the best I can be.
- I am curious; I am fascinated with the process of learning.
- I have courage and determination; I never give up.
- I take ownership; I take responsibility.
- I show respect and I have integrity; I do the right thing.