Irish Olympic sailor Finn Lynch enters the Sailing World Cup in Hyères this morning writes Nathaniel Ogden.
The World Cup is considered a vital piece of preparation for the Olympic Games, towards which Finn is hoping to continue his Tokyo 2020 campaign.
The youngest ever sailor to represent Ireland at Olympic level, he currently holds a world ranking of 66 in the men’s Laser class. Although slightly below his personal high of 59th position in January of this year, Finn has seen an exceptional rise through the ranks of the Laser fleet during his short adult career, training under the renowned Croatian coach, Jozo Jakelic.
This is his first time competing in Hyères, on the Côte d'Azur, although he is no stranger to the European circuit. Earlier this month he finished in seventh place in the Split Olympic Sailing Week, up from his eighth place position at the same event last year.
Finn will be joined in Hyères this week by fellow Irish sailors Aoife Hopkins and Aisling Keller of the women’s Laser Radial fleet, and Jade O’Connor from the IKA Formula Kite fleet.
The only French meeting of the circuit, Hyeres was awarded the prestigious Sailing World Cup label in 2013 by World Sailing, and it is now an integral part of the Cup.
Running from the 23rd - 30th April the 10-day long The Sailing World Cup - Hyères TPM brings together the finest international dinghy competitors to make it France’s largest sailing event, both in terms of its number of participants and international recognition.
The Sailing World Cup is a flagship event attended by all the greatest athletes in men’s and women’s Laser, Laser Radial, 470, 49er, Finn, IKA, Nacra 17 and RS:X classes, as well as the 2.4 metre disabled class. This year 541 sailors in 406 boats will be representing 52 nations across all classes.
Finn says he’s anticipating some sun and plenty of hiking during the regatta, we wish him and all the other Irish entrants the best of luck in the coming days!