Kiel Week is one of the largest sailing regattas in the world, with the greatest diversity in fleets and the greatest number of competitors. For the senior ILCA fleet, it is a critical event in the calendar as the LA 2028 cycle ramps. Therefore this was a key test, in challenging sailing conditions for Team Ireland.
Carlow’s Finn Lynch of the National Yacht Club in the ILCA 7 demonstrated his continued consistent progress winning a Bronze overall for the event. His third place for the event was only surpassed by a stellar race win on the last of the Gold Fleet races prior to the Medal Race. Watch here:
He entered the Medal Race with only a few points to spare in the battle for third, and could have ended up in seventh overall. It was an interesting start for Finn with Philip Buhl his closest rival for the medal making it uncomfortable for Finn, even before the start of the race. But a really solid 3rd place secured the medal for Finn after an epic week in a fleet with 148 boats competing.
Speaking to ILCA Ireland just after the race Finn said, “The week went well. I had a tough first day with a black flag and then slowly battled back. The medal race was the most intense I’ve been a part of in a long time and I’m happy to come away with a medal.”
Also competing in the ILCA 7 was Ewan McMahon (Howth), Fiachra McDonnell (RIYC), Tom Coulter (EABC / PYC) and Dan McGaughey (BYC). Ewan finished in 23rd overall, with his best results including a third place in the first gold fleet race following qualification.
In the ILCA 6, Eve McMahon (Howth) finished in 16th overall, with four top ten finishes across the week, including a bullet in her last qualification race.
Congrats to all the Irish ILCA sailors for a great week on the water.
