Rivals ‘back in hunt’ after off day for Mueller

With just two races remaining in the Brewin Dolphin Dragon Gold Cup at Kinsale, the leaderboard remains wide open after Germany’s Tommy Mueller had his turn on the receiving end of misfortune.

The series leader dropped from first place to fourth last night after he finished 27th in yesterday’s race.

Russia’s Dmitry Samokhin, with Andrey Kirilyuk and Aleksey Bushuev, stepped up to first place after placing second in a near faultless series — so far — in which their worst result has been a 10th.

Britain’s Lawrie Smith has worked back up to second overall after his 18th place on Monday caused by a serious knee injury received in Sunday’s high seas.

“When I’m sailing it’s fine, it’s just I can’t walk,” he said. “When I’m sitting on the boat, tacking is a little bit tricky but otherwise it’s perfect. We’re up to second so that’s all right.

“Luckily Tommy Mueller had a bad one so we’re all back in the hunt.”

So far in this no discard series, almost every pre-event favourite has counted a bad result, including Poul Richard Hoj-Jensen from Denmark who yesterday added a 17th to his 34th from Tuesday and will find it difficult to climb back from his position of 11th overall.

Best of the Irish fleet has switched back to Martin Byrne from the Royal St George YC in Dun Laoghaire, with Adam Winkelmann and Pedro Andrade, who placed eighth yesterday although the trio had been holding second place at one stage.

Yesterday’s race was won by Graham and Julia Bailey with Dylan Potter and 11-year-old Will Heritage.

This foursome also won Tuesday’s race and their score moves them into 10th place overall, relieving Kinsale’s Cameron Good of the lead in the Corinthian Division.

“It’s very much wide open and with no discard in the event and every day we have a new leader,” Good said last night.

“If you get one result in the 20s, you lose three or four places.”

Weather has played a crucial hand all week, though already Kinsale has proven itself as a worthwhile venue as the previous two Gold Cup events were only able to complete four of the six-race programme.

Winds are expected to be westerly today placing an emphasis on boat speed, while tomorrow could be a tricky day.

Whoever finishes on top will likely be the boat that makes fewest errors.

“In this class you can be very good one day and very poor the next, that’s what the Dragon Gold Cup is all about, it’s a great leveller,” said Good. “Tommy could have two good results in the next two days and could be back up there again.”