Robert Dickson and Sean Waddilove have secured a place in Gold Fleet racing at the 49er World Championships in Quiberon, France, after surviving a punishing third day of competition.
The Howth Yacht Club and Skerries Sailing Club pairing delivered a fourth-place finish in the only men’s skiff race completed on Thursday. The result leaves the Irish crew 20th overall heading into the Elimination Series.
Day three racing was dominated by strong winds, heavy seas and powerful currents in Quiberon Bay. Conditions worsened throughout the afternoon, forcing organisers to limit the 49er fleet to a single race.
At times, crews struggled simply to bear away around the windward mark. Some teams abandoned conventional downwind sailing altogether as gusts and steep waves triggered multiple capsizes across the fleets.
Despite the chaos, Dickson and Waddilove stayed composed to secure their Gold Fleet berth ahead of the final qualifying phase.
49erFX
The Irish women’s skiff crew of Erin McIlwaine and Ellen Barbour also endured a dramatic day after racing was cancelled on Wednesday. Four races were completed in winds reaching 25 knots.
The Royal St George YC/Newcastle YC and County Antrim Boat Club pairing opened strongly with a fifth-place finish before difficult starts and shifting conditions complicated the remainder of their day.
Coach Matt McGovern praised the crew’s determination in the demanding conditions.
“The conditions out there today made it a real test of survival and boat handling at times,” McGovern said.
“The girls showed great determination throughout the day and despite making life a little difficult for themselves with a few starts, they fought back well in each race.”
He added: “Considering the stage they are currently at and the conditions they were facing, it was a very encouraging performance and an important step forward for them.”
Austria lead the 49ers
Internationally, Austria’s Keanu Prettner and Jakob Flachberger continue to lead the 49er standings, while Britain’s Freya Black and Dun Laoghaire's Saskia Tidey of the RIYC moved to the top of the 49erFX leaderboard.
Racing resumes on Friday with the Elimination Series ahead of Sunday’s medal-deciding Final Series.
