Sailing: An impressive set of three wins for the Israeli pairing of Gidi Kiger and Udi Gal have rocketed them to the front of the Gold fleet of the Bord Gais 470 European Championships on Dublin Bay, writes David Brannigan.
Previous leaders and 1996 gold medallists from the Ukraine, Eugeniy and Igor were reported to have only average upwind boat speed in the half-metre waves and this was reflected in their results - two 11th placings and a 12th placing - that dropped them a massive 20 points behind the leaders to fourth place.
A very consistent straight sevenths for Italians Gabris Zandona and Andrea Trani were enough to move them into second, though Sunday's race win and also a second placing show their potential.
Yesterday's weather proved tricky enough for Ireland's crew in the women's event.
Ciara Peelo and Karena Knaggs were unlucky to have capsizes in both races of the day which resulted in maximum points for did-not-finish results.
Sydney 2000 gold medallists Jenny Armstrong and Belinda Stowell also suffered a capsize in the final race which gave them their worst result, an 11th - now discarded.
Ireland's men are midway up the Silver fleet following a 20th, 15th and a seventh score for the day. Gerbil Owens and Ross Killian are settling into the class after a month into their campaign - this is the first time ever that this crewman, the latter, a former Mirror class champion, has sailed on a trapeze boat and is adapting quickly.
Bord Gais 470 European Championship (Royal St. George YC): Overall to date - Gold fleet: 1, Kiger and Gal (Israel) 12.00; 2, Zandona and Trani (Italy) 24.00; 3, Martinez and Cantero (Spain) 30.00; Silver fleet - 1, Manuel and Paz (Spain) 5.00; 2, Plummer and Hawkley (Britain) 16.00; 3, Mercier and Boudgrourd (France) 26.00; Irish results: 14, Owens and Killian, 62.00; Women's: 1, Bekatourou and Tsoulfa (Greece), 14.00; 2, Armstrong and Stowell (Australia) 22.00; 3, Via-Dufrense and Azon (Spain) 24.00; Irish results: 35, Peelo & Knaggs, 222.00.
Athletics: Mark Carroll will have another shot at the enduring 1,500 metre national record when he runs the distance at this evening's Stockholm Grand Prix. Ray Flynn's 19-year-old clocking of three minutes 33.5 seconds has so far proved a little far outside Carroll's range, but his recent form is sure to see him go close.
With nine Kenyans in the field, including the in-form Bernard Lagat, the opportunity is ripe at least an improvement on his personal best of 3:34,91.
The 5,000 metres is still Carroll's target for the World Championships in Edmonton - now just over a fortnight away. Carroll is assured of his place on the team although the selections will not be finalised until immediately after this weekend's National Championships in Santry.
