Finn Lynch Second as Elimination Series Opens in Dún Laoghaire
With the ILCA 7 Men’s World Championship taking place just outside our door in Dún Laoghaire, Viking Marine is following the racing throughout the week, with particular attention on the Irish sailors competing against the world’s best.
Ireland’s Finn Lynch remains firmly in contention after a challenging third day of the championship on Dublin Bay.
Two races were completed as scheduled, opening the Elimination Series and bringing the championship total to seven races.
The fleet raced in persistent rain and a steady breeze of approximately eight to 11 knots. A one-metre swell at the beginning of the day eased as racing progressed, while a left-hand wind shift added another tactical challenge.
Lynch entered the day as overall leader but recorded 31st and tenth-place finishes in the Gold fleet. With his 31st discarded, the National Yacht Club sailor moves to second overall on 26 net points.
Singapore’s Ryan Lo takes over the championship lead on 24 points after winning the first race and finishing seventh in the second. Hungary’s Jonatán Vadnai is third on 27 points.
Britain’s Elliot Hanson and Michael Beckett, together with Croatia’s Tonci Stipanovic, are tied on 31 points in fourth, fifth and sixth respectively.
Finley Dickinson of Britain was one of the day’s strongest performers, climbing to seventh overall with fifth- and fourth-place finishes. Australia’s Zachary Littlewood moved into eighth, while reigning Olympic champion Matt Wearn is 12th after a difficult opening day in the Gold fleet.
Ireland’s Ewan McMahon recorded 14th and 23rd-place finishes and is now 32nd overall in the Gold fleet.
In the Bronze fleet, Fiachra McDonnell is 103rd overall, Tom Coulter 115th, Roger Craig 123rd and Bobby Driscoll 132nd.
Four further Gold fleet races remain before the championship moves to its final stage. Two races are scheduled for today, with the first warning signal planned for 12 noon.
View the latest provisional results from the 2026 ILCA 7 Men’s World Championship.
Viking Marine has been supporting Ireland’s sailing community from Dún Laoghaire since 1987. We stock an extensive range of ILCA ropes, fittings and replacement hardware, available online and from our Dún Laoghaire store.