ABOUT FIN COCHRANE YORKSHIRE LAD SAILING
ULTRA KEEN PASSIONATE DETERMINED
I am an ultra keen 17 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.
FIN COCHRANE YORKSHIRE LAD SAILING COACHing & support
PABLO MARÍ @ REAL CLUB DE REGATAS DE ALICANTE, ALICANTE, SPAIN
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, with Pablo.
This is a fantastic opportunity for me to train and race in Spain, with a brilliant ILCA coach and team, at a fabulous, supportive club!
CHARLIE LINSELL @ THE PERFORMANCE ACADEMY, WEYMOUTH & PORTLAND NATIONAL SAILING ACADEMY, UK
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 Coach / Mentee Programme.
This gives me regular, first-rate, personal coach / mentee support.
FIN COCHRANE YORKSHIRE LAD SAILING SUCCESSES
ILCA 7 ILCA UK NATIONAL OPEN REGATTAS (QUALIFIERS)
October 2025: at Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy (aged 16) I was placed 9th U19 and 25th Overall.
March 2026: at Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy (aged 16) I was placed 3rd U19 and 8th Overall.
ILCA 7 CLASIFICACIÓN DE ILCA ESPAÑA / ILCA SPAIN RANKINGS
Febrero de 2026: Clasificación Nacional ILCA 7: 5º U19 18º General
February 2026: ILCA 7 National Ranking: 5th U19 18th Overall
Marzo de 2026: SOMVELA Ferderació Vela Valenciana Clasificación: 4º General
March 2026: SOMVELA Valencian Sailing Federation Ranking: 4th Overall
ILCA 6 EURILCA YOUTH (15-18) EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS
August 2024: in Ireland (aged 15) I was placed 39th in Emerald fleet.
April 2025: in Portugal (aged 15) I jumped up 41 places, and was placed 53rd in Bronze Fleet.
ILCA 6 ILCA UK NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS (QUALIFIERS)
August 2023: at Hayling Island (aged 14) I was placed 35th in the Silver Fleet and 92nd Overall.
August 2024: at Weymouth (aged 15) I was placed 48th in Gold Fleet so 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 REGATTAS (QUALIFIERS)
September 2023: at Paignton (aged 14) I was placed 28th in Silver Fleet and 65th Overall.
September 2024: at Plas Heli (aged 15) I was placed 17th in Gold Fleet so 17th Overall.
FIN COCHRANE YORKSHIRE LAD SAILING JOURNEY
FROM NOVICE SAILOR
TO EUROPEAN COMPETITOR
TO EUROPEAN COMPETITOR
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 Granma and Grampa C. I sailed an ILCA 4 for 14 months.
TO EUROPEAN COMPETITOR
TO EUROPEAN COMPETITOR
TO EUROPEAN COMPETITOR
16/04/2023
Aged 14: I made the transition into the ILCA 6 Class. I sailed an ILCA 6 for 2 years.
29/07/2024
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.
TO EUROPEAN COMPETITOR
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 TRAINING 2022-2024
RYA NORTH & MIDLANDS REGIONAL TRAINING (RTG)
RYA NORTH & MIDLANDS REGIONAL TRAINING (RTG)
RYA NORTH & MIDLANDS REGIONAL TRAINING (RTG)
From 2022 - 2024 I trained with some first class ILCA coaches:
Alastair Goodwin & Ali Young @ RYA North & Midlands Regional Training (RTG) 2022/2023
DRAYCOTE ACADEMY TRAINING
RYA NORTH & MIDLANDS REGIONAL TRAINING (RTG)
RYA NORTH & MIDLANDS REGIONAL TRAINING (RTG)
Steve Irish & Steph Harding @ Draycote Academy Training 2023/2024
RYA SCOTLAND ILCA CLASS ACADEMY TRAINING
RYA NORTH & MIDLANDS REGIONAL TRAINING (RTG)
RYA SCOTLAND ILCA CLASS ACADEMY TRAINING
Iain McLaughlan & Clem Thompson @ RYA Scotland ILCA Class Academy Training 2023/2024
FIN COCHRANE YORKSHIRE LAD SAILING CORE VALUES
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 genuinely enjoy the challenge of learning new skills.
- 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.
fin cochrane Yorkshire lad sailing sportS
CYCLING
WINDSURFING
WINDSURFING
Buying a great adult bike, in May 2025, was a brilliant descision for me.
My fitness has improved significantly, the speed is thrilling, and I feel fantastic!
WINDSURFING
WINDSURFING
WINDSURFING
I completed the RYA Start Windsurfing course in April 2026.
I am thoroughly enjoying being on the steep learning curve that comes with mastering a new skill.
FIN COCHRANE YORKSHIRE LAD SAILING RYA DINGHY INSTRUCTOR
QUALIFICATIONS
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
QUALIFICATIONS
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
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 others have some of the amazing experiences that I have had.