Eve McMahon has lost her early lead in the defence of her U21 ILCA 6 World Championship title in Viana Do Castelo, Portugal.
The Irish youth star is competing in Portugal, just weeks before she makes her Olympic debut in Paris 2024.
Australia's Evie Saunders won both races to lead by a point from McMahon now on five points overall. Ginevra Caracciolo Di Brienza of Italy is third on 12. Results are below.
Thursday was another gorgeous day for sailing at the Portugeuese coastal resort, conditions were warm and sunny with a good breeze of about 13-15 kts.
The day once again began at 11:45 with the D Flags up for the yellow ILCA 7 and ILCA 6 fleets. The wind was moving in from 330º, starting at 10 knots, and built up to 17 knots by the second race. All fleets completed both races.
The Irish Sailor of the Year is the only sailor in Viana who will be competing at both events this summer, an indication of the depth of the HYC star's ambitions.
McMahon won the title last year in Tangier, Morocco, before securing Olympic Qualification for the ILCA 6 class.
Fiachra McDonnell of the Royal St. George Yacht Club is lying 61st in the ILCA 7, and Tom Coulter of East Antrim Boat Club is 96th.
Meanwhile, at home, the Irish ILCA Class has praised McMahon's abiltity in pre-Olympic good wishes but unfortunately, her club's planned Olympic send-off party is on hold due to the recent increase in Covid cases.
The sailors continue racing on Friday.
Current Leaderboard
ILCA 6
1st Evie Saunders (Australia)
2nd Eve Macmahon (Ireland)
3rd Ginevra Caracciolo Di Brienza (Italy)
