SAILING/Commodore's Cup: Ireland's Rolex Commdore's Cup team at Cowes are facing a tough problem today as ideas on how to improve the performance of the third member of the squad are to be considered, with just three days of racing remaining.

Yesterday saw team captain Colm Barrington and the crew of Flying Glove produce their third consecutive first place in the series after another windward/leeward course victory yesterday morning. This was followed by success last night in the long inshore race.

Eamon Crosbie's Calyx Voice & Data was again under pressure in Class Three when her week-old sistership Fair Do's IV once more won her class, outpacing her year-old Irish rival.

Concern now focuses, however, on the team big boat, DK46 footer Fidessa Fastwave, the adopted third boat with a 50 per cent national crew composition.

A poor opening race in the series on Tuesday with a sixth place was followed yesterday morning by a disappointing last place when the team was ruled in breach of the one-minute starting line infringement rule.

Late last night provisional results indicated that Team Ireland continued as overall leaders by a half-point margin from Britain Team Black.

Fidessa Fastwave were able to produce a creditable fourth place overall in the Long Inshore race. Calyx Voice & Data placed third, while Flying Glove were first overall in Class Two.