There was a setback for Irish sailors when the Final series started on Saturday at the 2022 EurILCA Senior European Championships & Open European Trophy in Hyeres, France.
The wind was unstable in both race areas, forcing the Race Committee to adjust the courses frequently before and during the competition.
That added to several failed starts and general recalls meaning that the day ended with only one race for the ILCA 6 Women, no new races for the ILCA 6 Men, and two new races for the ILCA 7.
Any lessons learned in the shifty conditions will be important for the fleet to consider, as this Cote D'Azur race course is approximately 60 km from the 2024 Olympic sailing venue of Marseille.
Finn Lynch
Rio 2016 Olympian and world silver medallist Finn Lynch (National Yacht Club), whose main aim was to 'stay in the game', had been hoping that the first day of Gold fleet racing would lead to a 'breakthrough' from 15th overall into the top ten. Instead, he was on the wrong side of early windshifts, and he placed 41st and 44th, which dropped the Paris 2024 campaigner to 28th overall.
Lynch's main rival for the single Irish Olympic place, Ewan McMahon of Howth, lies 45th overall in the 169-boat fleet. Jamie McMahon is lying 100th and Royal St George's Tom Higgins 133rd.
No matter the weather or sailing conditions, nothing seems to change the solid performance of Michael Beckett GBR these days in Hyeres.
After winning another race today (the 4th out of 7), the reigning 2021 Senior European champion in Varna is comfortably leading the ILCA 7 fleet with 9 points.
The second place is now for ascendant Jonatan Vadnai HUN with 29, closely followed by Hermann Tomasgaard NOR with 32 points.
Pavlos Kontides CYP and Lorenzo Chiavarini ITA complete the European Top 5 with 34 and 36 points, respectively.
It was a terrible day for the overnight vice leader and 2020 champion Elliot Hanson GBR, scoring a 53-31 today and dropping to the 8th European place.
ILCA 7 Provisional European Top 10:
- Michael Beckett GBR 9
- Jonatan Vadnai HUN 29
- Hermann Tomasgaard NOR 32
- Pavlos Kontides CYP 34
- Lorenzo Chiavarini ITA 36
- Jean Baptiste Bernaz FRA 41
- Niels Broekhuizen NED 46
- Elliot Hanson GBR 47
- Sam Whaley GBR 50
- Tonci Stipanovic CRO 52
Full results are downloadable below
Eve McMahon
In the ILCA6 women's event, Ireland's sole campaigner for Paris, Eve McMahon (Howth YC), ended the single race in 24th place and 29th overall.
The Women’s fleet has a new leader, and that’s Canadian Sarah Douglas CAN, who finished 3rd in the Gold fleet and leads the Open European Trophy with 14 points.
Olympic champion Marit Bouwmeester of Holand is lying fifth overall at the ILCA 6 2022 EurILCA Senior European Championships & Open European Trophy in Hyeres, France Photo: Yepa Photography
The reigning 2021 Senior European champion Agata Barwisnka POL wants to repeat the title obtained last year in Bulgaria, leading the European championship in second place overall with 23 points after finishing 12th today.
Overnight leader Hannah Snellgrove GBR scored a bad 38th today and dropped to the 8th European position.
Emma Plasschaert BEL is second European with 32 points, followed only 1 point behind by Maud Jayet SUI and Matilda Nicholls GBR.
Marilena Makri CYP won the single race today, climbing to the 19th European position.
ILCA 6 Women Provisional European Top 10:
- Agata Barwisnka POL 23
- Emma Plasschaert BEL 32
- Maud Jayet SUI 33
- Matilda Nicholls GBR 33
- Marit Bouwmeester NED 35
- Maria Erdi HUN 35
- Daisy Collingridge GBR 43
- Hannah Snellgrove GBR 48
- Vasileia Karachaliou POR 49
- Line Flem Host NOR 56
Rocco Wright
In the ILCA6 Men's event, Rocco Wright (Howth YC), in second overall, was leading the only race of the day until the wind changed, so the race was abandoned. Nothing further was sailed after five hours afloat for either ILCA6 women's or men's events.
There will be a bid to sail three races on Sunday, the penultimate day of the championships, with results critical for Monday's final outcome.
