WHAT A MAGNIFICENT DAY FOR IRISH SAILING! To-day, August 11th, Ger Owens and Phil Lawton in the Men’s 470 Class scored a superb win for Ireland in Race 2 of the series
On their first day of competition at Qingdao Owens and Lawton commenced racing in 10kts of wind and after a somewhat shaky start in Race One finishing 22nd, upped the ante for Race 2 to take the winning gun. After two races they are now lying in 9th position overall with France in first place followed by Spain. This race win must be truly encouraging for the whole Irish Squad.
In the International Finn Class Races 5 and 6 have been completed and Tim Goodbody had results of 17th in Race 5 and 16th in Race 6. However, with a discard now applying he is lying in 21st position overall. Ben Ainslie of Britain is leading on 17 pts and Zach Railey of the USA is in second position just one point behind followed by Guillaume Florent of France on 27 pts.
There are some rumbles of discontent emerging from the Qingdao sailing area with suggestions that the wind speed is being over enthusiastically reported as onlookers would have expected a little more rock and roll from the boats at the reported wind speeds. There is also media wrath at being excluded by a large distance from the racing and finding themselves trying to secure their photographs and footage from behind a line of coach boats.
However, nothing can take from the joy of the Irish sailors to-day at the success of the 470 sailors to whom we offer many congratulations.
To-morrow, August 12th, Ciara Peelo joins her fellow sailors and will compete in Races 1 and 2 in the Laser Radial Class. Races 3 and 4 for the 470 will also be sailed while the Finn will have a lay day and will have Races 7 and 8 on Wednesday.
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