SAILING: A whistle-stop tour of Europe this week reveals a large contingent of Irish crews spread around half a dozen major dinghy championships.

Wind, or rather the lack of it, appears to be a common feature of many events. At the Finn Gold Cup in Greece, racing was cancelled yesterday as light airs once again dogged this "world championship". British Olympic medallist Ben Ainslie has once again shown his mettle by moving into the overall lead.

Ireland has three contenders aiming for selection for the Athens 2004 Games: Sydney 2000 Olympian David Burrows has recently rejoined the fray and is currently 29th overall after four races and counts an 18th as his best score. Baltimore's Youen Jacob lies 37th, while Dún Laoghaire's Aaron O'Grady is 53rd. Ninety boats are taking part.

In nearby Italy, boats from six nations are competing in the Laser 2 European Championships on Lake Como. A good effort by the Irish class association to send a large squad is paying off with three Irish boats listed in the top 10 going into today's finals. In a light 10 knot breeze, yesterday's race seven began with a pin end bias that took those going left into a favourable wind bend off the land.

Conor and James Clancy led from the start, slowly pulling away from the fleet to finish in first. The Clancys hold third place overall but are under pressure from team-mates Peter O'Donovan and Robbie O'Sullivan just one point behind in fourth.

Across the Atlantic in Ontario, Canada, Howth's Ciara Peelo has moved into third overall at the Laser Radials women's event. Debbie Hanna is now fifth overall. No fewer than 11 Irish helms were taking part across all three disciplines.

Meanwhile, in Tallin, Estonia, on Sunday, Gerbil Owens and Ross Killian start their 470 European championship.