Martin Byrne’s Jaguar Sailing Team with Adam Winkelmann and Mark Pettit from Dublin Bay are lying seventh overall after day two in a 43-boat fleet of Dragons from 14 countries at the annual Régates Royale in Cannes.
After two days racing in a mixture of very light and very heavy breezes, the Royal St George team have scored 13, 5, 15 & 2 in the four races sailed. They are the only Irish team competing at this event ahead of the Dragon 90th Anniversary Regatta in San Remo in two weeks time where the entry stands at 163 Dragons so far with nine Irish boats among the number.
Byrne commented that he was pleased with the team’s heavy air performance when they returned a 5th & 2nd at the front of a very professional fleet with multiple world champions and Olympic medalists competing as usual.
“Starting well is a huge challenge when the lines are biased as they have been in the very shifty conditions but our top five results so far have been as a result of very good starts in the heavier breezes. In the lighter airs we have been struggling for speed against the very best professional teams so there is room for improvement there”.
The event continues until Friday with another six races scheduled.
