The Irish teams benefited from home field advantage for races 8 and 9 of the J/24 European Championship hosted by Howth Yacht Club. In winds between 8-10 knots, the top three in both of Friday’s matches were comprised solely of boats from Ireland. However, it wasn’t enough to knock the Greek team of JMania helmed by Stelios Sotitiou from first place (now with 42 net points). By way of two bullets on the day, Cillian Dickson’s Headcase (IRL) leapt into the runner-up spot with 48 net points. Stefan Karsunke’s Schwere Jungs (GER) sits another two points back in third. Dickson’s Headcase leads the 21-boat Corinthian Division, trailed by David Hale’s Cacoon (GBR) and the Kinsale Yacht Club group led by Micheal O’Suilleabhain (IRL). The 34 teams waited ashore with a two-hour postponement while enough breeze filled in. Dickson’s Headcase won the day, although Tadhg O’Loingsigh’s Janx Spirit (IRL) wasn’t much off that pace, lodging a second and third. Mark Usher’s Headgehog (IRL) placed third in Race 8, and David Bailey’s Hard on Port (IRL) was second in Race 9. Six nations are represented: Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Ireland, Italy and the United States. Racing concludes Saturday, and 10 total races are planned. Complete results may be found at https://hyc.ie/j24-european-championships-2022#event-378, and photos are available on the International J/24 Class Facebook page.
International Class Association
