The performance is a significant one for the Irish champion because all four results so far are in the top 16 whereas other top ten finishers will already be seeking to discard one bad result later today.
Hegarty successfully protested the Race Officer on Monday evening because of an incorrect procedure during an individual recall after he was judged to have crossed the starting line early.
Yesterday he was awarded his finishing position in that race (second in race two) plus 20% of the fleet, giving him a 16th place rather than a disqualification as a premature starter.
In a tightening of results Denmark's Frank Berg on 54.7 points has closed the gap on leader Marcus Wieser to within five points. Defending world champion Jorgen Schonherr (Denmark) is back in the top 15 after a 25th scored yesterday.
Hegarty sailing with Peter Bowring and David Williams are 16 points off the lead before a discard is applied after this morning's race five today (Wed).
A flooding tide was the biggest tactical consideration yesterday (Tues) and although Hegarty admits to having only got a second row start he had enough room in the 68–boat fleet to tack away.
An early decision to go right and avoid the strongest of the flood paid dividends and the Dun Laoghaire trio finished 11th after some blistering light air speed downwind.
It was a strong day for others in the 18–boat Irish team too with Don O'Donoghue taking fourth to place seventh overall. John Ross Murphy was one behind in fifth. The race was dominated by Gold Cup winner Thomas Muller of Germany, a former Irish Open Champion, who led around every mark. A mark roundings chart is posted by the organisers at www.dragonworld2007.com
So far it has been a high scoring regatta and Ireland have put in a strong performance to get three Irish boats into the top ten at the half way stage. In particularly Hegarty can assume a top ten overall if form continues in races five and six today.
Last night Portuguese entry Patrick Monterio de Barros was awarded average points by the International Jury when his claim that he had suffered from the wake of a race official's launch as the race started was upheld.
Dragon World Championships on Dublin Bay 2007 overall after four races: 1. M.Wieser (UKR). 2. F.Berg (DEN) 3. U. Pfluger. Top Irish: 3. N. Hegarty; 7. D. O'Donoghue; 8. A. Craig; 18. G .Treacy 19. S. Brien
ENDS
