Solid Start for Irish Crew at 49er European Championships in Greece
Ireland's Robert Dickson (Howth Yacht Club) and Sean Waddilove (Skerries Sailing Club) are lying fifth overall on the opening day of the 49er class European Championship in Thessaloniki, Greece. Despite concerns that light winds would prevent the race schedule from getting underway, three races were eventually sailed today (Tuesday 3rd June).
Conditions were nevertheless tricky for the 54 crews and the series was delayed ashore due to calm conditions. Eventually, the opening day's programme was sailed with a mixed but overall positive set of results for the sole Irish crew at the event.
The opening race saw Dickson and Waddilove start well but they were soon caught out by a windshift which left them in the back end of the fleet before steadily working their way into a creditable sixth place. The second race was similar until a minor collision with a New Zealand entry. The Irish crew were then obliged to take a penalty turn which resulted in them finishing in 14th place.
However, the third race saw them win a prime starting-line position and they duelled with a French entry for the whole race to finish second, earning them fifth overall and just a handful of points away from the top three.
"We had three very hot and light races... but not a bad first day, some really tight racing," remarked Irish Sailing's 49er coach Matt McGovern. "There were a lot of people having issues, hitting (boats) and shouting. We're keeping a close eye on the protest board."
Both Wednesday and Thursday will have three races on each day to decide the Gold fleet final round from which the top ten boats will decide Sunday's Medal Race.
Dickson and Waddilove will be concentrating on keeping their scores low to maximise their points going into the Gold fleet when all the top boats are joined from their respective qualifying flights.
Overall, while challenging, the light conditions will prove useful training for the Dublin crew who having been training to improve their performance in the tricky winds.