Lynch secures spot in squad

SAILING A BITTER northerly wind completed a four-day series for the ISA Mitsubishi Youth Nationals of Dublin Bay yesterday with…

SAILINGA BITTER northerly wind completed a four-day series for the ISA Mitsubishi Youth Nationals of Dublin Bay yesterday with close results across all classes though few matched the Laser Radial contest that saw Finn Lynch of the National Yacht Club emerge victorious in the final race.

At stake was the single place for the class in the Irish Squad for the ISAF Youth Worlds that will be sailed at the same venue in early July.

Strangford Lough’s Robbie Gilmore led the battle going into the final day along with added pressure from Norway’s Hermann Tomasgaard and Andrew McKenzie from New Zealand in a four-way battle at the front of this 68-boat fleet.

Lynch delivered a race win yesterday morning but followed by a 17th which he discarded.

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Gilmore had a seventh place and the trial came down to the final race where Lynch scored his third win from 11 races, taking the championship and the place in the Irish squad.

Sophie Murphy from Quoile Yacht Club was 14th in the Radials and best of the girls so joins Lynch for July.

Patrick Crosbie and Grattan Roberts from the Royal Cork Yacht Club were best of the Irish 420 sailors in eighth place so fill this slot for the squad as will Sean and Tadgh Donnelly from the National YC.

David Branigan

David Branigan

David Branigan is a contributor on sailing to The Irish Times