Three crews set for World Cup regattas

ROWING:Ireland coach Harald Jahrling has named three of the crews to represent the country at the World Cup regattas in June in Linz in Austria (1st-3rd) and Amsterdam (22nd-24th). Richard Coakley replaces Gearóid Towey in last year's lightweight men's four, while the men's heavyweight four and single sculler Seán Jacob have been given votes of confidence to continue where they left off last season.

At the conclusion of the weekend's first selection regatta at the National Rowing Centre in Cork yesterday, Jahrling said the aim for this year is to qualify boats for next year's Olympics at the World Championships in Munich in August/September, and he will take stock after Amsterdam to decide who goes on to the third World Cup in Lucerne in July and then on to Munich.

A lightweight women's double and the men's equivalent are likely to be chosen after a camp in Cork next weekend and a second selection trial at the end of the month. A men's quadruple scull and a heavyweight women's single or double may also be chosen, if they reach the required standard. The Ireland team will also take in Essen before the World Cup regattas.

Selection this year suffered from the windy weather, which caused the shortening of Saturday's and yesterday's programme, and the absence of Towey (taking a break), Tim Harnedy (injured), and the uncertain status of Sam Lynch. However, Jahrling says the standard of the senior group has not declined. "I think the standard is higher . . . There are just smaller numbers in the lightweight category."

Extensive trials over the three days did not suggest there are under-18 crews of the standard to go to the World Junior Championships. A squad will be formed with a view to creating a team for the Coupe de la Jeunesse, a European junior championships in July. There will be a second selection regatta at the end of June.

The decision to allow junior crews to be formed in the regions seemed a good idea on the evidence of the performance of the junior women's quadruple yesterday as the crew of Alison Lester, Hannah Johnston, Claire D'Urso and Laura D'Urso put over 10 seconds between them and a western selection.

The London Head of the River, scheduled for Saturday, had to be abandoned because of adverse conditions.

SELECTED CREWS (for Essen Regatta and World Cup One in Linz and World Cup Two in Amsterdam): Men: Four: C Folan, S O'Neill, S Casey, A Martin. Lightweight Four: R Coakley, E Coakley, R Archibald, P Griffin. Single Scull: S Jacob.