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Optimist Ace James Dwyer Matthews Takes a Tack in an Olympic 49er

13th October 2020
James Dwyer Matthews of RCYC takes a spin in a 49er with Chris Bateman of Monkstown Bay James Dwyer Matthews of RCYC takes a spin in a 49er with Chris Bateman of Monkstown Bay Credit: Bob Bateman

Despite Royal Cork Yacht Club's Seafra Guilfoyle's super efforts at the sharp end of Ryan Seaton's 49er campaign for Tokyo 2021 next year, there's been little in the way of Olympic skiff sailing going on in Guilfoyle's home port for the past two seasons. 

These fast and tricky skiffs are a handful for most and this has put them on a downward spiral in Cork Harbour

So it was interesting to spot Optimist and Laser 4.7 ace James Dwyer Matthews of RCYC trying out a 49er (one of two in active use), with Chris Bateman of Monkstown Bay as his crew. 

Guilfoyle, a 2014 world youth silver medalist, meanwhile, continues his campaign for selection in the 49er and is vying with a Dublin crew to win a single Irish berth against stiff competition for one of the final slots available for Japan.

Published in Optimist
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