Mueller in lead as injury hampers Smith
Former British Olympian Lawrie Smith, declared for Glandore Harbour Sailing Club, dropped from the overall lead yesterday after a knee injury incurred in Sunday’s high seas worsened.
He now lies seventh overall after an 18th yesterday and with no discards available in this six-race event, regaining a podium place will require more than an overnight improvement to his injury.
Yesterday’s race of just under three hours was supposed to have been in lighter conditions but gusts of up to 28 knots once again delivered steep seas and surfing conditions.
Germany’s Tommy Mueller, the 2002 Gold Cup winner, revelled in the conditions and won with apparent ease to become the new overall leader.
Holding second overall for a consecutive night, Poul Richard Hoj-Jensen of Denmark is only two points behind with four races left.
Ireland’s hopes for strong result were boosted by a fourth place by Martin Byrne of the Royal St George Yacht Club in Dun Laoghaire, sailing with Adam Winkelmann and Pedro Andrade.
“We ended up with a good day as we were third at the top mark but unfortunately fouled Jurgen Schonherr in a port and starboard incident so we had to do two [penalty] turns that dropped us to 13th or 14th,” Byrne said.
“But we were sailing well and eventually managed to finish fourth so were delighted.
“We were gaining places on every single leg and downwind we were lightning fast.”
The Irish boat’s game plan continues to be conservative starts, avoid aggressively pushing for the line and allow boat speed to pick up places and hope to clock up good single figure places for the rest of the week.
Perhaps uniquely amongst International classes in Ireland, this Dragon class event deliberately opts for long, testing races.
“It was a good Dragon heavy day, at the top end of their range,” said principal race officer Alan Crosbie.
“While the weather forecast was accurate in terms of direction, it wasn’t so for wind strength.
“I think everyone was expecting maximum 15 or 16 knots but it got up to 28 knots; good, tough racing.”
This was exactly what Portuguese visitor Jose Matoso from Caiscais was hoping for, here for the first time and sailing his second Gold Cup after Denmark two years ago where there was barely any wind.
“The conditions are relatively close to home in terms of waves and wind but we have more sun!” he said.
Currently in 21st overall, Matoso would like a top 10 result but is hoping for a top 15 place at this stage and is relying on strong wind which his team prefers.
“The courses are fine, the wind is very fair and seas are large so the upwind is demanding for steering and the downwind is exciting for surfing,” said Dun Laoghaire competitors Andrew Craig.
Like Matoso, Craig would aspire to a top-10 finish but tactical choices on the first stage of the course have been their downfall so far but the Dun Laoghaire skipper is hoping for a few good results before Friday’s finale.
“The Gold Cup has it’s own rules as it is specially designed for long, long races,” he explained.
“The Dragon needs long courses in a big fleet to ensure separation at the mark roundings.”
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