Please select your home edition
Edition
Barton Marine 2019 728x90

Bronze medal for Irish sailor Rocco Wright at ILCA European Championships in Italy

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

After an eleven race series at the ILCA European Championships (Andora, Italy 17/3/23) defending title-holder Rocco Wright (Howth Yacht Club) emerged with the bronze medal for his event after a close final day of racing.

Mattia Cesana of Italy edged ahead to become the new ILCA6 men's champion.

Along with Greek sailor Athanasios Kyfidi who took the silver on tie-break, the leading trio had enjoyed a week long duel at the front of their 71-boat event in a range of conditions. Although winning second in one of the final day's races, a race win would have been needed to dislodge Cesana.

"Rocco was getting caught in a group on the starts today when he needed to do his own thing," commented Rory Fitzpatrick, Irish Sailing's Head Coach. "He also hadn't been sailing for four weeks as he was recovering from illness."

The ILCA 6 event also saw Fiachra McDonnell (Royal St. George Yacht Club) place ninth overall with some very solid performances over the series that augurs well for the future.

In the men's senior ILCA7 event, Finn Lynch (National Yacht Club) worked back from twin disappointments on Thursday to finish tenth European and the 13th overall in his event.

"It was a very, very up and down week for me, a good start and a decent ending," he said after racing ended. "I was happy with how I was sailing but definitely lots of room to improve."

The series had started with plenty of promise including straight fifth places in the qualification round, setting the Carlow sailor on a good trajectory into the final round.

"Today we tried to be at least top ten of the Europeans and we managed that, it's a good result, a good average but obviously we wanted to be in the fight for the medal," commented Irish Sailing Laser coach Vasilij Zbogar. "But a bad race and a lost protest makes that almost impossible in this tough fleet".

"There are good signs - we're always there (in the top results) which is most important."

Although Ewan McMahon was able to comfortably qualify for the Gold fleet, including a race when he placed second behind Lynch in an unusual 1-2 result for IRL sail numbers, the Howth sailor ended the event in 45th overall.

Meanwhile, his sister Eve rounded off her regatta in the ILCA 6 women's event in 14th in the European Championship. The 19-year old is on her first full season at senior level and is making steady progress after her triple Gold medal season in 2022.

"Eve had a good day and is definitely making progress in the fleet and learning a lot with more to come," commented Rory Fitzpatrick, Irish Sailing's Head Coach. "She doesn't have as much time in the boat as the older seniors but is getting faster and just needs to improve her speed."

The Irish squad are next in action at the Trofeo Princesa Sofia in Palma, Mallorca at the start of April.

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