Awaiting Irish sailors Robert Dickson and Sean Waddilove is a significant day of possibility on Thursday as they embark for their final departure from Roucas Blanc Marina in Marseille. The two have captivated onlookers not just because of their victories but also their consistent second-place status throughout the four-day fleet event.
On Wednesday night, they remained in the limelight, ending a tension-filled final race that cemented their position as potential contenders for an Olympic award. The concluding day, however, was plagued by turbulent winds, causing trouble for the leading boats in the first two races, including Dickson and Waddilove.
Their positions slipped to fourth place overall, there was even a threat of not qualifying for medal race contention if they were to lose the last race. Demonstrating resilience in each race, they approached each one as a unique challenge and bravely opted for a calculated tactic for the final showdown. The strategy involved sailing to the right side of the course while the rest of the competitors chose the left.
The strategy worked wonders, leading to a magnificent performance that found them in the lead at the first mark and on track to mirror their achievement from the Tokyo final race, which they won. However, circumstances changed when the Croatian crew displayed blistering pace in the last downwind segment, stealing second place by the narrowest of margins at the finish line.
Describing the challenges of the final day, Dickson mentioned the difficulties in predicting the capricious wind which was extremely light. He mentioned the couple might have been unlucky, but emphasised the importance of perseverance and concentration on the task at hand.
The medal race final will not feature France and the Netherlands, both of whom have been world champions over the past three years. This kind of result would have been unimaginable the previous weekend, but it encapsulates the unpredictability of sailing and the inconsistent winds of Marseille’s mountainous landscape.
As the final unfolds, Spain is leading by five points, followed by Ireland with New Zealand trailing by three points. The top three places are up for grabs with seven nations vying for them, at least hypothetically. For Dickson and Waddilove to clinch the gold, they have to outperform Spain by four positions. It’s imperative for each team to sail their best, steer clear of issues such as dinghy-racing or starting penalties, effectively, something they have been focusing on all week. Alongside, there’s a reliance on the wind deities of Marseille to ensure a good breeze. The skiff medal race is scheduled for 1.43pm as per Irish timing.