SAILING:Today sees the final race of the Palma Olympic Classes Regatta reduce in size from 1,010 boats to just 110 as the top contenders from each discipline compete for the medal race this afternoon, writes David Branigan.

Maurice O'Connell with Ben Cooke secured the only Irish place on the final day thanks to an eighth place in yesterday's single light airs race in the Star keelboat class.

The Dun Laoghaire pair were tied for 10th on points with an Italian entry but made the final on tie-break.

Late yesterday the jury at Palma has permitted a substitute for O'Connell's crewman Cooke, who has been suffering from a stomach bug.

The one-off replacement for the medal race will be Anthony Shanks, crewman to Max Treacy and rival contender for the single Star class nomination.