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Lynch making waves as final day looms

Ireland’s second ever medal at the Youth Sailing World Championships could be won this afternoon on home waters when Ben Lynch races in the Laser Radial Boys’ class at midday.

The Blessington sailor — who has declared for the National Yacht Club, had an eighth and a fourth in shifty conditions yesterday against a 58-strong fleet. American Mitchell Kiss leads with a 12-point advantage.

Lynch is on course for at least bronze though a light airs forecast could throw the class standing into disarray if poor conditions prevail.

In spite of forecasts suggesting light winds yesterday, the breeze fluctuated across all three race courses, varying in strength from eight to 16 knots with the added challenge of an ebb tide.

Patrick Crosbie and Grattan Roberts (RCYC) had their best result of the series when they placed sixth in the 420 Boys’ class. The Crosshaven pair had a 20th earlier in the day and they stand 15th in the 30 boat class but with a top 12 finish yet possible.

Meanwhile, Lynch’s counterpart in the Girls’ Laser Radial had her worst result in the opening race. Sophie Murphy from Strangford Lough’s Quoile Yacht Club discarded the 31st place and went on to score her second-best result of the series with a 12th place.

Elsewhere, Sean and Tadgh Donnelly (in the 29er skiff class) recovered to notch 18th after a starting-line capsize saw them place last for the first lap in the 24 boat class. The Dun Laoghaire pair went on to place eighth, one of their best results so far in the second race of the day.

The brothers are in 10th place with the final race set to decide their biggest international event to date.

Alex Rumball and Rory McStay in the SL16 catamaran maintained their consistent form with a sixth and ninth place respectively, though world champions Rupert White and Tom Britz from Britain won the gold with a race to spare thanks to straight bullets.

The five boat Irish squad lies 23rd by country in the event’s Nations’ Trophy series. Home

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