Ireland's Robert Dickson (Howth Yacht Club) and Sean Waddilove (Skerries Sailing Club) are lying fifth overall on the opening day of the 49er class European Championship in Thessaloniki, Greece.
Conditions were nevertheless tricky for the 54 crews, and the series was delayed ashore due to calm conditions. Eventually, the opening day's programme was sailed with a mixed but overall positive set of results for the sole Irish crew at the event.
The opening race saw Dickson and Waddilove start well, but they were soon caught out by a windshift which left them at the back end of the fleet before steadily working their way into a creditable sixth place. The second race was similar until a minor collision with a New Zealand entry. The Irish crew were then obliged to take a penalty turn, which resulted in them finishing in 14th place.
However, the third race saw them win a prime starting-line position, and they duelled with a French entry for the whole race to finish second, earning them fifth overall and just a handful of points away from the top three.
"We had three very hot and light races... but not a bad first day, some really tight racing," remarked Irish Sailing's 49er coach Matt McGovern. "There were a lot of people having issues, hitting (boats) and shouting. We're keeping a close eye on the protest board."
Keanu Prettner with Jakob Flachberger (AUT) were locked in a light air duel with defending European Champions Hernan Umpiere with Fernando Diz (URU). The two teams were tipped by their fellow competitors as the ones to watch in light winds and delivered.
2028 is the first time we’ve been able to focus on Prettner/Flachbaker as they served as the understudies to Bildstein/Hussl for years in the Austrian apprenticeship system.
In very challenging conditions with wind speeds varying and quite big shifts, they sailed consistently in their 27-boat split-fleet to score three top 5 finishes, setting themselves up wonderfully for what is expected to be a light air battle all week.
“It was really hard to see the pressure changes coming, as the brightness on the azure water sparkles everywhere,” said Dickson. Their coach and class president, Matt McGovern, tipped both the Austrians and Uruguayans as pairs to watch for ahead of racing. “They both are class in light air and have been sailing well,” said McGovern.
“Lots of teams were going fast today, and it was easy to miss shifts or puffs.” All together just great racing and lots of fun to be out with the fleet,” said Diz (URU), who sit in second overall, and are seeking to defend their 2024 European title.
Both Wednesday and Thursday will have three races on each day to decide the Gold fleet final round, from which the top ten boats will decide Sunday's Medal Race.
