Please select your home edition
Edition
March April May June Leaderboard 2023

Podium beckons for Irish sailor Rocco Wright at ILCA European Championships in Italy

by Treasa Cox 16 Mar 20:27 GMT 12-17 March 2023
ILCA European Championships day 5 © Thom Touw Photography / EurILCA

After challenging conditions at the ILCA European Championships (Andora, Italy) defending title-holder Rocco Wright (Howth Yacht Club) faces a two-race challenge for Friday's finale with an almost certain prospect of a podium result.

Greek sailor Athanasios Kyfidis and Mattia Cesana of Italy edged ahead of Wright today but just seven points separate first to third places in their event, the ILCA 6 men's championship.

The leading sailors have opened up a large gap on the points table to the remainder of the 71-boat class that includes Fiachra McDonnell (Royal St. George Yacht Club) in eleventh overall.

However, the day ended with disappointment for top ranked world sailor Finn Lynch (National Yacht Club) who placed fourth in the day's first race for the senior men's ILCA 7 event. A protest by Australian event leader Matt Wearn against the Irish sailor for an alleged rules infringement saw Lynch accept an arbitration penalty ashore following the end of racing for the day.

The added points dropped Lynch to 15th overall and his best outcome for the championship would be a top ten placing on Friday.

"It's a back-handed compliment of sorts when the championship leader goes after you," commented Rory Fitzpatrick, Irish Sailing’s Head Coach. "If Finn was mid-fleet or not considered a real threat he wouldn't have bothered."

Meanwhile, Howth's Eve McMahon ended her penultimate day in 18th overall in her 56-boat ILCA6 women's senior event.

"It was all about no risk, no reward," commented Fitzpatrick. "Eve played the middle (of the course) but got passed on the sides. For both Rocco and Eve, the only form of defence today was attack."

Racing concludes on Friday with two races scheduled for all three events in the combined championship.

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

Related Articles

Irish sailing teams prepare for Allianz Regatta
But temporary setbacks for some team members Cancellation of the women's 49erFX event at this week's Allianz regatta in The Netherlands will be a temporary setback for Ireland's Erin McIlwaine with Ellie Cunnane as the pair build towards their first full international regatta. Posted on 30 May
Injury concerns end French Olympic Week for Irish
After a week of highs and lows in Hyères After a week of highs and lows at the French Olympic Week (Hyères, Cote d'Azur ) the Irish Sailing squad are returning home with firm resolve ahead of the main season ahead. Posted on 28 Apr
Silver lining for Cork pair at Hyerés
Ireland's Seáfra Guilfoyle with Johnny Durcan holding 5th in 49er Silver fleet After the disappointment of missing out on Gold fleet at French Olympic Sailing Week, Seáfra Guilfoyle with Johnny Durcan (Royal Cork Yacht Club) had a good outing in the 49er Silver fleet today in Hyerés. Posted on 27 Apr
Lynch secures Gold fleet place
At French Olympic Sailing Week An easing of conditions saw Ireland's Finn Lynch (National Yacht Club) regain some of his better form on the third day of French Olympic Sailing Week (Hyerés, Cote d'Azur Wednesday 26th April 2023) and the conclusion of the qualifying series. Posted on 26 Apr
Mistral winds blow to Irish hopes
On day 2 at French Olympic Sailing Week A second day of strong conditions at the French Olympic Sailing Week (Hyères, Cote d'Azur Tuesday 25th April 2023) proved exceptionally challenging for the three Irish crews competing. Posted on 25 Apr
Steady start for Lynch
As Mistral wind opens French Olympic Sailing Week High winds were the dominant force on the opening day of French Olympic Sailing Week (Hyerés, Cote d'Azur Monday 24th April 2023) where Finn Lynch (National Yacht Club) was the only Irish sailor in action, competing in the ILCA 7 event. Posted on 24 Apr
Investwise Irish Sailing Youth Nationals
Home waters victory for Rocco Wright occo Wright won the ILCA 6 Youth National Champion title at the Investwise Irish Sailing Youth National Championships on Sunday, hosted by Howth Yacht Club. Posted on 18 Apr
Disappointment for Irish sailors in Palma
But determination too, and working on several fixable issues is the next priority Gold fleet racing ended today at the Princess Sofia World Cup of Sailing regatta (Friday 7th April 2023, Palma, Mallorca, Spain) with no Irish crews through to medal race finals for the first time in several editions. Posted on 7 Apr
Blow to Irish hopes at Princess Sofia Trophy
Day 4 sees Tokyo Olympians appear to stumble in the lighter winds Hopes of a strong result for Irish sailors competing at the Princess Sofia World Cup of Sailing regatta were set back today (Thursday 6th April 2023, Palma, Mallorca, Spain) when light winds and handling errors proved costly. Posted on 7 Apr
Irish 49er sailors catapult into overall lead
On day 3 of the Princess Sofia Trophy A stellar day on the Bay of Palma today saw Dublin sailors Robert Dickson and Seán Waddilove take the overall lead in their 49er skiff event as they comfortably qualified for the Gold fleet final round at the Princess Sofia Trophy. Posted on 5 Apr