Dun Laoghaire (IRELAND) – 13 August 2021
The penultimate day of the ILCA 4 Youth World Championships lived up to expectations and provided our sailors with an incredible back to back test of physicality and the mental toughness required to be a world champion. Another day of strong winds in Dublin Bay greeted the battle hardy competitors and the persistent 18 – 22 knot conditions proved a test of readiness for all concerned.
Mixed fortunes in the Boys Gold fleet today has compressed competitors scoring and although Martins Atilla (LAT) holds on to 1stplace ahead of the final day of racing, he is now only 7 points ahead of Massimiliano Antoniazzi (ITA), who continues his climb up the leader board, and 9 points ahead of Alexandros Eleftheriadis (GRE) in 3rd who could only manage a 16, 19 today. 4th is held by Joan Ravie (ESP) and Hidde Schraffordt (NED) is in 5th place.
In the Boys Silver fleet, Irish sailor Oisín Mac Sweeney (IRL) has been displaced from the top of the overnight leader board by Antonio Pascali (UK). Benjamin Reeser (USA) remains in contention in 3rd and only 7.5 points split the top three. Its all to play for and Oisín will have the county behind him.
Emma Mattivi (ITA) managed an impressive 4,3 the remain on the top spot in the Girls Gold fleet but is now being pursued closely by fellow country woman Gaia Bolzonella (ITA) in second and Petra Marednic (CRO) slipped from 2nd yesterday back to 3rd today after posting a 13, 11. 4th place is held by the ever-consistent Roos Wind (NED) and 5th goes to Claudia Adán Lledó (ESP).
In the Girls Silver fleet, the Guatemala sailor Cristina Castellanos (GUA), continues to dominate and has scored an unassailable 1,1,3,1 in the final stage of the series in really challenging conditions. Arwen Fflur (UK) is in close contention in 2nd, and Donna-Tinke Huijsmans (NED) is in 3rd. No more than 8 points separate the top three in this hotly contested fleet.
Rocco Wright continues to post consistent results and is top Irish boy (58th) followed by Archie Day (59th) and James Dwyer (68th). Anna O’Connor (38th) has managed to climb just ahead of Eimer McMorrow Moriarty (41st) in the supper talented Girls Gold Fleet.
First U16 Girl is Adriana Castro (ESP) and first U16 Boy is Alexandros Eleftheriadis (GRE).
See full results for both the boys and girls, gold and silver fleets.
Lighter conditions with a South Westerly 5 to 6 knots forecast for tomorrow and this will be a welcome change from the strong winds and rough seas from the last two days. As teams may be looking to push hard for the final two races we are sure the regatta race management team will be keenly watching the start lines and looking for those who may be trying to sneak an early gain.
The closing ceremony is scheduled for after racing tomorrow and we will wait to see which nations and sailors will be crowned 2021 ILCA 4 World Champions. The regatta has already been an incredible week of racing, a test of skills and perseverance and regardless of who is victorious, everyone will take home tall tales from Dublin Bay and contacts for their many new friends and ILCA 4 comrades.