A Lough Ree Yacht Club crew have been crowned J24 European champions after six races sailed in Hungary at the weekend.
The |rish Corinthian J24 crew of Headcase (and reigning Irish champions), skippered by Cillian Dickson, with Ryan Glynn, Marcus Ryan, Louis Mulloy and Sam O'Byrne, finished top of a 42-boat fleet by a margin of two points.
With eight nations, 42 boats and 210 competitors, the event took place over five days with five valid races out of the planned 10. Due to challenging wind conditions, no races were possible on the final day, so medals were awarded based on the standings from the fourth day.
Cillian Dickson, skippering Headcase, secured the European Championship title for Ireland. Schwere Jungs, led by Stefan Karsunke, claimed the silver medal for Germany. Meanwhile, Hungarian team iJroncat, helmed by Gábor Sallai, proudly took home the bronze. All three groups competed as all-amateur teams, among 37 of the total entries.
The fifth and last race day faced adverse wind conditions, reducing the Championship from the initially planned ten races to five. Thanks to the exceptional efforts of the Balatonfuredi Yacht Club's organisers and the Race Committee, led by Danish PRO Peter Lubeck, the event remained valid after five races and the possibility of one eliminated race.
The top 10 teams were awarded at the European Championship, with a special acknowledgement for the amateur category. Cillian Dickson, skipper of Headcase, expressed their happiness, exceeding expectations and prevailing in a highly competitive field.
