Friday's final day of the second Irish Olympic trial for Paris 2024 in the men's ILCA 7 will be a tight contest at the European Championships in Athens.
Trials leader Finn Lynch (National Yacht Club) is in 14th place, with his sole rival for Paris Ewan McMahon (Howth Yacht Club) in 17th, trailing in this regatta by just four points.
The fluky winds have led to a high-scoring regatta, so much can still change on the final day depending on how many races can be sailed.
After sputtering in the very light winds of today's first race, Lynch bounced back to form as the wind freshened steadily during the afternoon to score a third and a race win in his 47-boat qualification fleet. McMahon (Howth also had a good day, including third and seventh places, in addition to a 20th.
Among the overall championship contenders is Omer Vered Vilenchik from Israel, the current leader.
Despite being just 17 years old, Vilenchik has demonstrated remarkable skill, particularly in the previous light wind conditions, where he achieved impressive results (5-2). He continued his strong performance by clinching victory in the first race on Thursday and securing another commendable result (1-22-5).
First and seventh in the men's division are from so far unqualified Olympic Games countries, indicating that the standard at this regatta is missing some of the top names as the world's ILCA 7 leaders now focus instead on preparations for Marseille's Olympic regatta in July.
With a good forecast of similar conditions for Friday, organisers will attempt to sail three fleet races, but the weather-disrupted schedule means the Olympic-style medal race for the top ten boats has been cancelled.
Top 5 – Senior Europeans:
Omer Vered Vilenchik ISR 13 pt
Alessio Spadoni ITA 18 pt
Eduardo Marques POR 19 pt
Dimitri Peroni ITA 21 pt
Valtteri Uusitalo FIN 21 pt
Top 5 – Olympic qualification:
Omer Vered Vilenchik ISR 13 pt
Zan Luka Zelko SLO 23 pt
Oskar Madonich UKR 27 pt
Georgios Papadakos GRE 33 pt
Karl Martin Rammo EST 35 pt