Ireland's top hope for Paris 2024, Finn Lynch, worked back from disappointments on Thursday to finish tenth European and 13th overall in ILCA7 European Championships in Andora, Italy today.
Although Lynch will rue mistakes made in gear failure and rules infringement, the most important thing for the Rio Olympian is that he knows he is on the pace for the all-important Olympic qualifiers coming up in the Hague this summer.
“It was a very, very up and down week for me, a good start and a decent ending," Lynch said after racing ended. "I was happy with how I was sailing, but definitely lots of room to improve.”
The series had started with plenty of promise, including straight top five places in the qualification round, setting the National Yacht Club sailor on a good trajectory into the final round.
Lynch's rival for Paris, Ewan McMahon, ended the event in 45th overall.
Final Results – ILCA 7
European Championships
- Tonci Stipanovic CRO 41 pt
- Filip Jurisic CRO 42 pt
- Pavlos Kontides CYP 62 pt
- Nik Aaron Willim GER 67 pt
- William De Smet BEL 78 pt
- Philipp Buhl GER
- Duko Bos NED
- Jonatan Vadnai HUN
- Jean Baptiste Bernaz FRA
- Finn Lynch IRL
European Trophy
- Tonci Stipanovic CRO 41 pt
- Filip Jurisic CRO 42 pt
- Matthew Wearn AUS 48 pt