SailingAfter the disappointing overall performance by the first wave of Ireland's Olympic sailors off Athens last month, two more boats enter the fray tomorrow in the opening races of the Paralympic Games in the Sonar and 2.4-metre classes.
Expectations for each boat are diametrically opposed with Kinsale's John Twomey leading his three-hander in a strong challenge for a medal placing while Howth Yacht Club's Fergal Kinsella fully expects to place to the rear of his single-handed fleet of 2.4 metres.
For Twomey, the Paralympic Regatta follows a season of solid performances, although some Cork magic from last weekend's All-Ireland is undoubtedly going to be a factor.
On arrival in Athens last week, he was dismayed to find that his new Sonar, on charter from the builder, had post-cured in the heat and was covered in hull blisters.
A lacklustre response from the builder led to an emergency reaction from Paul McCarthy, Twomey's main rival for the Irish team place who drove his own boat to Greece this week along with Francis Segretier and Eddie Mullins who have spent the last three days getting it race ready.
"It's a setback, but something that can be overcome - we've just got to get the head down," Twomey said this week. "We spoke to the builder last Wednesday, but since then he's gone to ground on us."
Also travelling to Athens in a last-minute dash was crew-member Seán McGrath, who, as the winning Cork team trainer, will be on form for the first race tomorrow along with Brian O'Mahony, the third crewman.
In spite of the loss of his new boat, a setback that almost ended their regatta before it had even started, Twomey is optimistic about the team's chances.
"We expect a medal and will settle for nothing less - that's what we've come here for," he said. "But after this problem, we'd settle for a bit of luck too."
But the Irish crew are still nine races from the podium and the Dutch 2003 World Champions, German 2002 World Champions plus British and Israeli runner-ups are all strong contenders.
Meanwhile, on the single-hand course, Kinsella is on his first Olympic adventure thanks to a wildcard place for the national team.
His objectives are to complete the regatta without making any "stupid mistakes" in the nine race-series and ideally finish in 15th place or better in the 16-strong class.
Kinsella's pragmatism in place of optimism appears justified as he cites the 2.4 metre as a particularly technical boat to sail.
Its diminutive size belies its complexity as the solo sailor sits into a hull no larger than the cockpit of a Formula One car and operates the helm and sail controls from a permanently seated position with his/her head just above the waterline.
For the Howth sailor, who famously won the ISA Helmsman Championships three years ago on home waters, the key to success in this class is maximising available time on the water, getting to grips with the technical demands of the boat.
Compared with the fleet leaders and likely medal-winners, most of whom sail full-time, Kinsella's ambition of simply competing in the games is progress a-plenty.
