Another strong performance by Tokyo 2020 Olympians Robert Dickson and Sean Waddilove resulted in a Gold fleet place for the finals round at the Allianz Sailing World Championships off The Netherlands on Sunday.
Another race win plus a second place looked set to be joined by another podium place for the final race of the round as the Dublin crew port-tacked the fleet with Ireland’s second 49er skiff sailed by Seafra Guilfoyle with Johnny Durcan.
Leading the fleet, both boats suddenly found the only calm patch in an otherwise breezy day and slipped back to the fleet.
Dickson and Waddilove placed 12th to finish the nine race round in sixth overall. Guilfoyle and Durcan placed 14th but an earlier disqualification for early starting ended their hopes of making the cut for Gold fleet.
“The first cut off point was making Gold fleet so it’s great Rob and Sean have achieved this,” commented James O’Callaghan, Irish Sailing’s Performance Director. “Séafra and Johnny will be frustrated as they had speed but boat handling errors ultimately cost them.”
Today features a rest day for the 49er skiffs before the final round starts on Tuesday with the medal race for the top ten boats on Friday. Coincidentally, just ten nation places are available for qualification to Paris 2024 at this event and with 12 countries in the current top 15 places, achieving a place on Friday will be essential.
