Irish
international 49er and 49erFX teams competing in Weymouth, England
Lighter breezes than the fleet of international 49er
sailors had experienced in the earlier part of the week posed new and different
challenges for all competitors. In addition, the challenging and often large
swell was no longer a factor in the 10 to 12 knot breezes out in Weymouth Bay.
Ross Killian, Irish Sailing 49er Coach said: “With
the qualification series complete the team will all be competing in the silver
fleet in the 49er and 49fx classes. With the quality of the competition in this
fleet still full of top international teams who, like ourselves, know we have a
lot more to offer we have to use this opportunity
to stick to our approach and continue to improve.
“From a coaching point of view, it’s not easy to create some of the challenges
a top class regatta like the this presents, so we will continue use every
opportunity to improve the team’s skills in various racing situations we will
face for the rest of the week. The racing here in Weymouth has been top class
and the guys are looking forward to the remaining days competition.”
Ryan Seaton, from Co Antrim, and Cork sailor Seafra
Guilfoyle maintained their mid fleet position scoring two counting races with a
7th and 18th place recorded.
Olympic medallist Annalise Murphy and partner Katie
Tingle were back in action after their battles with the high winds of the day
before. The pair recorded a 25th 22nd and a 26th in racing today which see them
set to continue the regatta in the 49fx silver fleet.
Brothers Tadgh and Sean Donnelly are lying one place
behind, U23 World Champions Robert Dickson and Sean Waddilove, all from Dublin,
having scored a 17th a 6th and a 21st placing today. Dickson and Wadilove recorded a counting 14th
and 23rd . Both will compete in the silver fleet.
The 49er and 49er FX are a two-handed
high-performance sailing dinghy which have been recognised as Olympic sailing
classes since the 2000 Sydney games and the 2016 Rio games respectively.
400 of the best sailors from all over the world have
gathered in Weymouth and Portland’s world-class waters, home of the London 2012
Olympic sailing competition, in pursuit of the European crown.
