Dún Laoghaire completed the first half of an exceptional period of international sailing on Sunday as Hungary’s Jonatán Vadnai was crowned ILCA 7 Men’s World Champion and Ireland’s Finn Lynch finished eighth after a week in which he was firmly in the medal hunt.

More than 140 sailors competed on Dublin Bay in one of the most significant Olympic-class sailing events staged in Ireland in recent years, jointly hosted by the National Yacht Club and Royal St George Yacht Club.

Lynch provided the home storyline from the outset.

The two-time Olympian opened with a first, second and fourth from his opening three races and remained in medal contention through the early stages of the Gold Fleet, sitting second overall and just two points from the lead.

Friday proved costly. Finishes of 33rd and 43rd dropped Lynch to 13th and outside the ten places progressing to the Medal Series.

His response was impressive, with sixth and second on Saturday lifting him back to tenth and securing the final place in Sunday’s showdown.

With points halved for the finale, Lynch finished sixth and third in the two Medal Series races to climb to eighth overall.

Vadnai won the final race to secure his first senior world title ahead of Australia’s double Olympic champion Matt Wearn, with Britain’s Michael Beckett taking bronze.

Ewan McMahon finished 40th for Ireland, while Fiachra McDonnell of the Royal Irish Yacht Club and Bobby Driscoll of Ballyholme Yacht Club gained valuable experience against a world-class senior fleet.

For Lynch, there will inevitably be frustration after spending so much of the week close to the medals, but also considerable encouragement that his speed is there to challenge the world’s best.

 

Focus Turns to the Women

There is little pause for Dún Laoghaire before the international spotlight returns.

The ILCA 6 Women’s World Championship takes place from September 5-12, again hosted jointly by the Royal St George and National Yacht Club, and will be the first time the event has been staged in Ireland.

A field of more than 100 sailors representing over 40 countries is expected, with Ireland represented by Eve McMahon, Annalise Murphy, Sienna Wright and Lucy Ives.

McMahon competed at the Paris Olympic Games and is now an established member of Ireland’s high-performance generation.

Murphy brings one of the most distinguished records in Irish sailing, headed by her Olympic silver medal from Rio 2016. Their presence together on home waters provides a compelling Irish dimension, while Wright and Ives will gain invaluable experience against the world’s best.

 

Sport for Business Perspective

Hosting the men’s and women’s World Championships back-to-back represents an important showcase for Dún Laoghaire and Irish sailing.

It brings competitors, coaches, officials and supporters into the local economy while demonstrating the ability of Irish clubs, volunteers and governing bodies to deliver major international competition.

Lynch carried the Irish challenge during the first. From Saturday, McMahon, Murphy, Wright and Ives get their opportunity to do the same.
 

 

 

 

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Image Credit: Irish Sailing

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