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 key people who have supported me on my sailing journey. The legends at Yorkshire Dales, who inspired, coached and supported me right at the beginning. As well as the first class coaches who I have worked with since.
At age 16 I was proud to be selected for a place on the Real Club de Regatas de Alicante (RCRA) ILCA Youth Race Team, in Spain.
MY JOURNEY FIN COCHRANE YORKSHIRE LAD SAILING
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 SUCCESS SO FAR
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 believe it is important to give back to the sailing community, to help make sure that others can have some of the amazing experiences that I have had.
I would love to do some dinghy instructor work soon.
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.