Ireland’s Robert Dickson (Howth Yacht Club) and Sean Waddilove (Skerries Sailing Club) delivered a strong set of results and have moved from 15th to sixth place overall at the 49er class European Championship today (Saturday, 7th June 2025 - Thessaloniki, Greece). The Irish crew posted an eighth, fourth and fifth for the day in their 25-boat Gold Fleet series as the championship moves to its conclusion on Sunday.
Seb Menzies with George Lee Rush (NZL) are relative rookies in the 49er fleet, yet they have already secured the 49er title with a lead of 35 points.
The series has been beset by light winds all week, but Saturday saw the earliest start with light but steady wind that allowed a full schedule to be sailed.
"It was a good day out there, the boys sailed three solid races so we’re right back in the hunt,” said Matt McGovern, Irish Sailing's 49er coach. "Even with all the recalls, they won the pin (start line) every single time; they had the right format and the right formula - the starts were where the races were won and lost."
At least one more fleet race will be attempted on Sunday before the top ten crews sail a short, high-scoring medal race final to decide the podium.
"It's all to play for still so (we) need a decent day tomorrow going into the medal race," McGovern continued. "And hopefully be within striking distance after that."
Sitting in sixth overall, the Irish crew are mathematically capable of taking a top-three place. Of the top six crews, three are non-European so ineligible for prizes or championship titles and, as the scores stand on Saturday, Dickson and Waddilove are in the Bronze medal place behind Spain and Britain.
Nevertheless, Saturday's comeback marks a performance high-point for Dickson and Waddilove, according to their coach.
"I'm just really happy that the boys' head game and their starting game are completely back on point today," said McGovern. "No matter where they finish this regatta, today and two days ago they’ve been really back to their best in the light stuff so that's a big win regardless of results."
However, the top ten is currently closely packed on points, setting the stage for an exciting day’s racing on Sunday. Tomorrow’s racing is scheduled to start at 11:30am GMT.
The 49er fleet has a single gold fleet race followed by a medal race scheduled for the final day. There remain tight battles to make the medal race in the single opening series race and for the bronze medal.
