A last-ditch effort by 2016 Olympic Games hosts Brazil may yet return the Star keelboat to the Olympic fleet.
The only Olympic keelboat was removed from the line-up in 2011 as the world body of sailing (ISAF) sought to reduce numbers at the Olympic regatta.
This month the Brazilian government asked the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to "reinsert" the class on the basis that it represents one of Brazil's most important medal chances: out of 18 sailing medals won by the hosts, six were in the Star class.
Medal drought
The class also represents one of Ireland's biggest chances of breaking a 36-year medal drought. with top Star helmsman Peter O'Leary of Cork a veteran of Beijing and London.
The president of Brazil, Dilma Rousseff, has moved to have the 22-footer reinstated for Rio de Janeiro. And Brazilian ambassadors around the world are seeking support from nations to “reinsert the oldest and most traditional class” into the Games in three years’ time.
In diplomatic correspondence from Brazil seen by The Irish Times, the hosts say the new ISAF president Carlos Croce, has already "requested the IOC the inclusion of an 11th sailing class in the next games to accommodate the Star".
If the reintroduction is sanctioned at this weekend’s IOC meeting it could give top Star helmsman Peter O’Leary, a veteran of Beijing and London, another chance at Olympic success.
The Cork harbour skipper is, at 31, still relatively young for Star competition but after the class was scrapped from the Olympic, O’Leary turned to other goals, in particular this summer’s Commodore’s Cup.
O'Leary won the Cup in 2010 and although there is still no official word on a much promised Irish team line-up, his third place finish at last week's top Key West regatta in Florida on board the New York-based Ker 40 Catapult is a growing indication of American influence in this July's three-boat team.
Five-ring circus
So, if the 22-foot keelboat returns to the five-ring circus, so might O'Leary.
The ground-breaking PStar design he sailed with David Burrows to such success in the early stage of London 2012 (the pair were in silver medal position after the opening races) has been mothballed so a two- year campaign for Rio could start almost immediately.
A decision is expected after the IOC executive committee meeting in Sochi, the Russian Winter Olympics venue, on Sunday.
