Congrats to the two Irish sailors who medalled at the EurILCA European Masters this week in Hayling Island. Mark Lyttle (formerly of NYC) won Gold in the ILCA 7 Grand Master fleet while our own chairman Sean Craig (RSGYC) won Silver in the ILCA 6 Grand Master fleet.
Here is Sean’s debrief after the event:
“It was a brilliant event. Sunny and nice sea breezes every day. Very unexpected for a UK venue. Indeed the possibility of mixed weather had put off some Southern Europeans which reduced turnout and meant all age categories raced together. I had never done that before. Normally it’s 50-70 Grandmasters on our own course.
However, nearly all the top Master sailors in Europe made the trip. For example, the final top ten 6 Rig overall had 2 pro ILCA coaches, 2 others who are Olympic gold medalists, a girl just off the Olympic circuit and another who is the founder of Rooster Sailing (as well as a multi-class World Champ).
Sean Craig (3rd from left) enjoying some time off the water with Olympic Gold Medalists Nogeur (Flying Dutchman, Moscow 1980), Doreste (Finn, Seoul 1988) and Van Der Ploeg (Finn, Barcelona 1992).
Personally, I had a great start to the week, almost winning the first race but put myself under big pressure with a bad Day 2, when I had U Flag DSQ when one boat went early pulling 8 or 9 of us over the line early, followed by a 17th. I wasn’t too down though because the 17th was actually a good scramble up from the 30’s. But the U flag meant I had to start very conservatively for the rest of the week. I had very good boat speed upwind and I also felt I was going well downwind, usually gaining places on the runs and reaches. The waves seemed to suit me on the run. It must also be down to trying to keep up with our young guys offwind at Irish Regional and Sprint events this season ! Anyway, I kept it together and was delighted with my final day.
We lost racing on Thursday, the only day the sea breeze didn’t show up, so that meant 3 long races in the breeziest conditions, on Friday. Despite those mediocre starts, I had sussed the left would pay upwind, found good lanes and was getting around the top mark in top 10-15 all day, with main rivals behind me. I had started that day 1 point ahead of 3rd GM only and 4 ahead of 4th, but with that U flag hanging over me like a dark cloud ! It was satisfying to end up 19 points ahead of the 3rd Grandmaster.
I never felt like I could snatch Gold from the legend himself, Steve Cockerill. Mind you, he had a 26 on his scorecard and was covering me quite closely, including starting right beside me each race. Ironically this helped me avoid another U-flag so I was happy to see it – I knew Steve wouldn’t pull the trigger early, dragging me into that “red” zone. It was great – and a surprise – to improve on my bronze from 2022 and it was also great that ex-pat Mark Lyttle (sailing for GBR) sailed brilliantly to take the 7 Rig Grandmaster Gold, adding to his much larger medal collection ! “
Click here to get the full post-event wrap and results from EurILCA.
