Lynch Eighth At Dublin Bay Worlds

Paris 2024 Olympian Finn Lynch finished eighth overall at the ILCA 7 Men’s World Championships in Dún Laoghaire following a dramatic Medal Series that saw Hungary’s Jonatan Vadnai crowned champion, Australia’s Matt Wearn take silver and Britain’s Michael Beckett bronze.

“I have mixed emotions after that,” Lynch said. “For four of the six days, I was sailing well enough to win a medal, but sailing is a sport that demands consistency. The Laser is a tough boat to master and it takes a long time to fully understand and get right.

“To see the Irish crowds here in Dún Laoghaire cheering the sailors in was fantastic, and it has been so nice to have family and friends close by throughout the championship.

“Although it wasn’t the result I wanted, it has lit a fire under me because I genuinely feel I could have done better. The next World Championship is only four months away in Brazil, so all eyes are on that now.”

Women’s Racing Begins

The Carlow sailor began the day in tenth, finished sixth in the opening race, won by Wearn, then took third in the closing race, where Vadnai came through as the wind eased on the penultimate leg to seal his first senior world title.

Irish Sailing Development sailors Fiachra McDonnell and Bobby Driscoll finished sixth and 16th, while Ewan McMahon (Howth Yacht Club) placed 40th overall.

Lynch now begins winter training in the Southern Hemisphere ahead of the Los Angeles 2028 qualifier in Fortaleza, Brazil, in late January 2027.

Attention turns to the ILCA 6 Women’s World Championship on Dublin Bay from 7 to 12 September, where Paris 2024 Olympian Eve McMahon, world number two and 2025 World Championship bronze medallist, is joined by Lucy Ives, Sienna Wright and Olympic silver medallist Annalise Murphy.