Rio Olympic veteran Finn Lynch leads the Irish effort at the European Laser qualification regatta in Vilamoura, Portugal.
The prospects for a third boat representing Ireland at the Tokyo Olympics is up for grabs, with Lynch scoring a 28th and a fifth in breezy conditions off the Algarve coast. Seventeen nations are chasing just two places remaining for the Tokyo games.
The programme for the 139-strong fleet was delayed by several hours as the sea breeze built during the afternoon. The fifth place for Lynch was in the windiest range of the day but wind patterns were difficult to read.
Ewan McMahon from Howth YC had a consistent day with a 28th and a 25th and lies 50th overall. A strong opening race for Liam Glynn from Ballyholme YC delivered an 11th place but a weighty 49th in race two dropped him down the fleet to 57th.
Meanwhile, the same event in Portugal is also a qualifier for the women's Radial class. Ireland has qualified already and will be represented by Rio silver medallist Annalise Murphy. The Dun Laoghaire sailor was in action on Monday along with Howth’s Aoife Hopkins and Eve McMahon, sister to Ewan.
Murphy was best of the trio for the day with a 29th and an eighth to lie 34th overall.
