Lynch is best of Irish squad in testing conditions

SAILING ISAF YOUTH WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS:LIGHTS winds and an ebb tide delivered a challenge for many crews across the eight classes competing in the Four Star Pizza Youth World Sailing Championships on Dublin Bay yesterday.

In the Laser Radial classes for boys and girls, the River Liffey added to the difficulty until the breeze freshened towards the end of the two-race day.

Blessington sailor Finn Lynch is best of the Irish squad taking part in the event that has 350 sailors from 63 nations competing.

A three-way battle for the lead at the front of his 58 strong Laser Radial boys fleet is being led by American Mitchell Kiss though Norway’s Herman Tomasgaard had the better day and stands to close the gap from third to the lead if his form continues.

Lynch discarded a 24th place yesterday and had a 16th in the second race of the day as the breeze built quickly from around six knots to almost 20 in sustained gusts.

His counterpart in the Girls’ Laser Radial Sophie Murphy had a 13th and a 20th and lies in 16th place overall in her fleet that is being led by Line Flem Host from Norway who had a 21st place followed by a second reflecting the opposite conditions experienced across all three race courses.

In the double-handed classes, Patrick Crosbie and Grattan Roberts lie 16th overall, just below the halfway mark in their 420 class while Seán and Tadhg Donnelly have continue in 12th place overall, halfway up the 29er skiff class. Britain’s Rupert White and Tom Britz delivered two wins yesterday and have a growing lead.

After seven races completed, the crews rest today before five races between tomorrow and Friday’s finale.