Solid start for Ireland's sailors at ILCA European Championships in Italy

Lining up for a start Day One - ILCA European Championships © Thom Touw Sailing Photographer

In spite of near calm conditions for the opening day of the ILCA 7 European Championships (Andora, Italy 12/3/23), Ireland's sailors that did have races delivered a good start to the six-day series.

Rio Olympian Finn Lynch (National Yacht Club) scored a fifth place in his qualification race while Ewan McMahon (Howth Yacht Club) sailed most of his race in the top ten before slipping to 14th at the finish.

A total of 191 entries are competing with the finals scheduled to begin on Wednesday for Gold, Silver and Bronze fleet splits.

"We had very light conditions, shifty and unpredictable with a lot of current that was the key factor today," commented Vasilij Zbogar, Irish Sailing's ILCA coach. "Both (Irish sailors) had quite good results though the race was very much on the limit from beginning to end; it was a good day and a good start to the event."

However, there was no racing for the women's ILCA 6 event although multiple attempts were made to get races away in the windless conditions.

"We had very light, fickle conditions," commented Rory Fitzpatrick, Head Coach with Irish Sailing. "No complete races for ILCA 6, lots of attempted starts and Black Flag disqualifications though none for Irish sailors."

The men's event was sailed in breeze of three to five knots with a one knot current running across the course area.

"Finn got out of the blocks well so he'll be happy to start the regatta with a nice counter," said Fitzpatrick.

An improved weather forecast is expected for Monday when both events are expected to sail three races to catch up on the regatta schedule.

To follow the competition and results please visit 2023-senior.eurilca-europeans.org