The scattered strands that comprise the Irish sailing scene will be drawn together in two weeks' time when the Eagle Star Champion of Champions event will be staged at Howth Yacht Club. In just a few years, this series has transformed its appeal to a wider cross-section of the sport, with keelboat and one-design helms - in addition to its more traditional dinghy following - now taking part.

The event takes its participants from nominations by each of the major racing classes, generally national champions or the next best available sailor. They then compete in a sail-off in a nominated boat - a Puppeteer 23-footer has been chosen for the next two events. The system is by no means perfect, but at least it does establish a single national figure who can be considered a benchmark.

Mark Mansfield, the defending champion from 1999, will be back to compete once again, despite just completing an intensive 15-month campaign for the Star class at Sydney 2000. This will be his final event before taking a break from sailing before deciding how best to continue. The fact that he, like many of the other champions, has never sailed a Puppeteer 23-footer raises the prospect of a true showdown off Howth. From a basic nomination list of 17 helms, several possibilities emerge. These will include Irish Olympian Maria Coleman and Tom Fitzpatrick, who emerged as the 1720 National Champion on Xerox. Racing on home waters may prove useful for Fitzpatrick, and with three previous victories under his belt, he will be keen to oust Mansfield, a feat worthy of a title in itself.