Strong wind boost for Carlow's Lynch at Olympics
Carlow's Finn Lynch competing at the 2024 Olympic Games in Marseille, Photo: ©INPHO/Oceansport/David Branigan
Mistral-type winds on the bay of Marseille today (Saturday 3 August) brought better results for Ireland's Finn Lynch (National Yacht Club) competing in the men's one-person dinghy event of the Paris 2024 Olympic sailing regatta.
The Bennekerry sailor jumped ten places overnight to 15th overall in the 43-boat event thanks to a 12th and seventh place in the windy conditions.
"Today was better, I managed to get two solid results so I'm happy with that," Lynch said after racing. "The conditions were epic, huge waves and maybe 15 to 20 knots (of wind)."
After a disappointing opening two days, Lynch is relishing the forecast of Mistral winds for Saturday and fresher breeze for Sunday as a route back into the top ten places by Monday which would qualify him for Tuesday's Medal Race final.
"I wouldn't say it's my preferred wind range, but I feel like fitness is a strength of mine. So hopefully in the next few days this will help me and I can climb the leader board a bit," he said. "I'm optimistic now, a good day and just over halfway done in the regatta, let's see what I can do in the next few days."
Lynch is 12 points off the top ten with four races remaining in the fleet series.
Meanwhile, Olympic debutant Eve McMahon (Howth Yacht Club) didn't get the boost she was hoping for in the conditions and slipped from 15th overall to 17th in her event that is now back on schedule with three races completed in a long day afloat.
"We've had tough day today to be honest with you, I'm disappointed with my sailing," McMahon said. "I picked it back up in the very last race, but with the really tricky conditions, it wasn't the best today."
The Dublin sailor is nevertheless performing well within expectations for an athlete at her stage of development with her first Olympics appearance coming just weeks after winning the Under 21 World Championship title.
"I don't know if I'm one of the youngest or the youngest in this event, so these girls have a lot more experience than me. I can race a lot better than what I did today and I know I can beat a lot of those girls."
Racing continues for both one-person dinghy events on Sunday and Monday with two races daily scheduled to complete their series.
