Ireland’s Robert Dickson and Sean Waddilove narrowly missed out on the medal-deciding Final Series at the 49er World Championships in Quiberon, France. The North Dublin pairing finished 14th overall after the final day of Gold Fleet racing, ending their challenge eight points outside the top ten cut-off.
Light winds again disrupted racing on the Bay of Quiberon, with several fleets delayed ashore before racing eventually got underway. Dickson and Waddilove adapted well to the changing conditions and posted results of 10th, 12th and fifth in their final three races.
The strong finish capped a steady climb up the standings after a difficult opening day left the Irish crew chasing the fleet.
“Overall, we’re quite happy with our performance,” said Dickson. “Unfortunately, the opening day left us on the back foot, but we improved steadily throughout the week, gaining places each day and finishing within touching distance of the medal series.”
The pair will now return home briefly before resuming preparations for Kieler Woche and the upcoming European Championships.
Ireland’s women’s skiff crew of Erin McIlwaine and Ellen Barbour also completed a positive week at the senior world championship level. The Royal St George YC/Newcastle YC and County Antrim Boat Club duo finished 12th overall in Silver Fleet after scores of 10th, 11th and third on the closing day.
Coach Matt McGovern praised the crew’s handling of the varied conditions throughout the championship. “The composure and ingenuity Erin and Ellen have shown throughout is a huge positive for their future sailing careers,” he said. “Their resilience and handling of the huge range of conditions we’ve experienced here will certainly stand to them as we head on to Kiel next.”
Attention now switches to Croatia, where Ireland’s ILCA sailors begin their European Championship campaign with Eve McMahon, Finn Lynch, Ewan McMahon, and Fiachra McDonnell all competing.
