Ireland's Eve McMahon is on course to retain her 2024 ILCA 6 Under 21 World Championship after another race victory on Saturday to bring her tally to four race wins with all scores in the top four (1,1,3, (4), 1, 4, 2, 1) after eight races sailed in Viana do Castelo, Portugal.
The Irish Sailor of the Year from Howth Yacht Club has taken control of the 80-boat fleet since Thursday and now, on 13 points, has a ten-point winning margin going into the final races.
Netherland's Roos Wind lies second overall but was disqualified from Saturday's race eight (after a collision with McMahon), with one-time championships leader Evie Saunders of Australia third on 25.
Saturday's schedule began on time at 11:45, with the D Flags up for the yellow ILCA 7 and ILCA 6 fleets. Excellent but challenging racing conditions were experienced where the wind was nearly identical to Friday at 330º, starting at 10 knots and building up to 18 knots by the second race.
As the fleets completed scheduled two races, today marked the end of the qualifier series, setting the stage for the finals.
McMahon won the title last year in Tangier, Morocco, before securing Olympic Qualification for the ILCA 6 class.
McMahon is competing in Portugal, just weeks before she makes her Olympic debut in Paris 2024.
Fiachra McDonnell of the Royal St. George Yacht Club is lying 63rd in the ILCA 7, and Tom Coulter of East Antrim Boat Club is 95th.
The sailors continue racing on Sunday.
