Robert Dickson and Sean Waddilove eighth at European Championships

In a nail-biting penultimate day of finals racing, Ireland's Robert Dickson and Sean Waddilove have held their top-10 position at the 49er European Championships in Portugal.

The Dublin crew lead the standings for the single Paris 2024 nation qualification place being decided at this regatta.

Italy are now the main challengers and trail the Irish boat by a slender three point margin after the close racing today.

Both the Belgian and German crews also seeking the place for the next Olympics slipped down the leader board though Monday's finals day could yet hold some surprises.

Racing throughout this championship has been beset by light winds and organisers are unsure whether the full programme will be possible.

The medal race final which counts for double points is scheduled for Monday afternoon after the final fleet races that decide the top ten boats that go forward for the podium decider.

Dickson and Waddilove are currently eighth overall after counting a fourth plus two weighty 14th and 15th places for the day, slipping from sixth overnight.

The Italian's Simone Ferrarse and Leonardo Chiste are now ninth having improved from 11th.