Skiff pair sail close to the wind

When the Irish 49er skiff hit the windward mark in Saturday’s medal race final of the Princess Sofia regatta in Mallorca, Ryan Seaton and Matt McGovern exchanged the briefest grimmace at one another.

They were leading the race and on course to win Gold at the Palma Olympic classes regatta but this error could prove costly.

With no time to lose, they quickly got clear of the inflatable mark and sailed into their penalty turn, a 360-degree manouevre that stalls boat speed.