#aquecerio – A strong start for both Irish skiff crews at the Olympic test event in Rio sees Belfast's Ryan Seaton and Matt McGovern in sixth place overall in the 49er after counting a 9 and 5 in their 20–boat fleet yesterday. In the 49erfx class, Andrea Brewster and Saskia Tidey of Dun Laoghaire will be boosted by ninth position after three races in a fleet of 19.
After racing the Royal Irish duo (who have yet to qualify for next year's Olympics) said: 'A nice 10kt sea breeze came in for us for day one of racing. Guanabara Bay is a tricky venue with lots of factors to consider whilst racing but we enjoyed the challenge and had a solid start to our regatta scoring 5,11,13 to sit 9th overall'
Unfortunately, Laser sailor Annalise Murphy still struggles at the back of the radial fleet and lies 26th from 28 after four races so far counting a (28) 28 11 24. Hopefully, the prospect of more breeze on an outer course today can see an improvement for the National Yacht Club sailor. Belfast's James Espey, who, along with the Irish 49er duo, recently suffered a funding cut by Northern Ireland's sporting body, is 31 from 38 in the mens Laser. The Providence Resources sponsored team are in action again tomorrow.
For all the results so far click here
Rio de Janeiro's Olympic waters were packed full of exceptional sailing and athletic talent on Sunday 16 August with all ten Olympic events on show at the Aquece Rio – international Sailing Regatta 2015.
The Men's and Women's 470, 49er, 49erFX, Finn and Nacra 17 sailors joined their RS:X and Laser counterparts on the water for an exceptional day of racing. A southern breeze ranging from 6-10 knots was present as all six racing areas were utilised.
49er and 49erFX
Uno, due, tre. One, two, three. Um, dois, tres. Whatever the language, the score cannot be faulted as Italy's Giulia Conti and Francesca Clapcich came out hard in the 49erFX to set a good benchmark.
An opening race first was backed up with a second and then a third as they took the early lead and Conti was happy her pre-race planning paid off, "We went out with some strategy already as the pattern of the wind looks like it is the same every day and we talked with our coach about what to do.
"We had a clear idea of what to do and we stuck with it and the boat was fast and we sailed well. We had a good day."
Alex Maloney and Molly Meech (NZL) are second overall, a point off the Italians, after a 3-1-(15) whilst World #1 and ISAF Rolex World Sailors of the Year Martine Grael and Kahena Kunze (BRA) sit third.
A dying afternoon breeze meant that the 49er fleet sailed two out of three scheduled races.
Diego Botin and Iago Lopez (ESP) took the first race win and then a fourth which sees them lead. Nathan Outteridge and Iain Jensen (AUS) took the second race win but a 13th in the opening sees them in fifth overall.
The 49er have four races scheduled for 17 August to catch up on the schedule whilst the 49erFX will sail their scheduled three.
James Espey lies 31st
Laser and Laser Radial
Croatia's Tonci Stipanovic was full of smiles after racing in the Laser following a race win and a second. Stipanovic had a mixed opening day with a first and a 14th but bounced back by doing what he know best, sailing hard, sailing fast and at the front of the pack.
After his performance of the day the Croatian holds the leading spot on four points.
Francesco Marrai (ITA) was just as impressive as Stipanovic recording a 2-3 and as a result moves up to second. The days remaining race win went the way of Jesper Stalheim (SWE) who is tenth overall.
Gintare Scheidt (LTU) leads in the Laser Radial after picking up an eighth and a race win but displaying great consistency was Alison Young (GBR), with a 3-3, and Evi Van Acker (BEL) who picked up a 4-4.
For Van Acker, Rio's challenge is an exciting proposition as the fleet moved outside of Guanabara Bay on the Niteroi course. "Every course here is different," said Van Acker. "Inside the bay is flat and outside is bigger waves, but this way on different courses the best all round sailor can win it.
"Tomorrow we are on the Pai course which is really far away and I am really excited to race on that with a bigger breeze."
Racing is scheduled to resume at 13:00 local time on Monday 17 August. The RS:X fleets will enjoy a day off whilst the remaining fleets will resume where they left off today.
