Conor Clarke's Embarr has finished second overall at the Melges 24 US National Championships in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin in a fleet of 47 boats.
It is Clarke's second attempt at this event in the same location, last time he lost out narrowly to US Olympic hero Bora Gulari by just one point in a match race finish on the same weeknd exactly 5 years ago in 2011.
On board the Irish boat Stuart McNay helming, David Hughes on tactics, Prof O'Connell trimming, Aoife English on bow and Conor Clarke, owner, in pit. Clarke's crew is in preparation for the World Championships in December.
A second in the penultimate race yesterday was very welcome but unfortunately it was behind regatta leader, Bora Gulari and he gained another step ahead of the sole Irish contenders before the last race of the regatta.
Clarke told Afloat.ie 'We needed a shocker from Bora to win and guess what? Bora was OCS (over the line at the start) and had to return to restart. We battled away with the rest of the fleet and had only to keep within 2 boats of Monsoon and finish fourth or better to win the regatta overall.
We managed to hang on to Monsoon but placed 6th so we allowed Bora to win by 2 points.
It is agonising to lose again but we have to look at the talent we managed to overcome. The fleet is littered with World Champions, Olympic medallists and names that are household in sailors homes so we should be proud. We also learned a lot this week ahead of the World Championships in Miami next month'.
Results are here.
