Croatia Sailing news

[Mislav]

With Yan Chekh and Ivan Zotov in first and second place respectively overall in the four races run to date neither have finished outside the top three.

With today’s blue skies over Dublin bay, it was a picturesque sight as 262 white sails took to the water, all helmed by teenagers from around Europe. That another two races have been completed by all four fleets in the European Laser 4.7 Championship despite the light wind conditions was impressive.

For the second day running starting was postponed by International Race Office Jack Roy as he held all fleets ashore to wait for the forecasted breeze to fill in. Dublin Bay provided sunshine and blue skies for this international fleet, with north east winds of 10-12 knots. However conditions proved quite shifty for the young sailors as the wind swung around during the day.

Roy commented “In contrast to yesterday’s clean starts, today saw enough people over the line for a number of general recalls. With 8 races scheduled I found it necessary to be strict with the competitors and flew the Black Flag.”

A Black Flag flown during a starting sequence warns competitors to stay off the course in the final minute of countdown, with disqualification the penalty for those who infringe. With a strong tide flowing a lot of the young sailors are now carrying this penalty.

Commodore of the National Yacht Club Con Murphy explained, “Now that four races are under the belt some familiar faces are beginning to appear regularly at the front of the fleet.”

Again the Italians, who travelled in numbers, are setting the pace in the female fleet with another race winner when Serena De Luga won race four and with her second place from yesterday’s she now holds an overnight lead. Earlier Croatia took line honours when Lina Stork won race three.

The highest place Irish female sailor is Katie White who lies in 7th place overnight after taking a sixth in today’s last race.

Meanwhile yesterday Katie White’s father and brother decided to sail across from Malahide to watch her race. However they missed out on the action when instead they came to the rescue of a trawler who needed towing to Bullock Harbour after engine failure occurred right by the windward mark.