Producing a runaway lead following a second row start (scroll to timeline 2:46:00 on the video timeline below) in yesterday's Sailing World Cup medal race in Weymouth was a most impressive performance for Ireland's 49er pair Ryan Seaton and Matt McGovern until an unfortunate course error robbed the Belfast Lough sailors of a coveted Sailing World Cup medal race win.
After hitting the left hand corner to produce at times a 100–metre lead they showed some explosive boat speed and great boat handling but after two laps they mistook the finish line (scroll to timeline 3:08:00) and 'got stuck in the moment', according to helmsman Ryan Seaton.
Asked by media afterwards (scroll to timeline 3:14:00) who was responsible for navigation, crew Matt McGovern said: 'I think we all take a bit of responsibility; myself, Ryan and the coach'.
The Belfast pair recovered to finish seventh out of ten. It was a basic error they will want to forget but one better made now rather than in two months time in Rio.
Taking it in their stride and shrugging off the blunder, McGovern said he was not looking forward to the 'slagging' he was going to get when he got ashore.
Having raced so well, it was a big shame for Team Ireland not to have sealed the rare win but taking the whole race in context, Seaton and McGovern's performance was undeniably an impressive one and a great confidence boost for Rio.