Irish sailors aiming for Gold fleet at ILCA European Championships in Hyères
by Treasa Cox 17 Nov 2022 23:50 PST
16-21 November 2022
Irelands's Rocco Wright at the ILCA 6 European Championships in Hyères © David Branigan /
www.oceansport.ie
As the local Mistral wind whipped up conditions for the 300-boat ILCA European Championships at Hyères today (Thursday 17th November 2022), Irish sailors are poised to take Gold fleet places with one day of qualification racing remaining.
Rio 2016 Olympian Finn Lynch (National Yacht Club) continues to deliver the strongest showing of the Irish Sailing athletes competing on the Côte d'Azur in the ILCA7 class this week. Although he had a 13th place which he discarded as four races have been sailed, he returned with his best result of the series in fourth place.
The world Silver medallist now lies 14th overall but is closely matched with all the top sailors with a spread of just six points between his position and the podium.
"I wouldn't say that I'm pleased (with the day) as I had one counter and a 13 which wasn't a great race," said Lynch after racing ended for the day. "I'm still in the game which is the goal for these long, six-day regattas.
"You just need to be within 15-20 points of the leader then you're still in the game."
The Carlow sailor had been in the leading group of boats but lost ground at a busy mark rounding as winds gusted close to 30 knots for a time. "The conditions were very tricky, very unpredictable and super-attritional - I'm sure there are lots of sore bodies after today!" he said.
Meanwhile, the ILCA6 Women's event sees Ireland's Eve McMahon (Howth Yacht Club) inside the cut-off for Gold fleet after a very consistent day in which she produced 13th and 14th places. She has to finish inside the top 55 boats in her 110 strong event and she lies 41st overnight.
In the ILCA6 Men's event Rocco Wright retained his overnight lead of his 48-strong event. A second place followed by an eighth means he has a ten-point lead at this early stage of the regatta.
In other Irish results, Ewan McMahon (Howth YC) enjoyed improved form for the second day when he placed ninth in the breezy opening race followed by a 20th. His overall standing at 66th leaves him trailing Gold fleet qualification on Friday with a 20-point gap to overcome.
Event website and results: 2022-senior.eurilca-europeans.org/results