Sailing:The largest Olympic classes regatta (OCR) in more than 10 years reaches its epic finale tomorrow on the balmy waters off Key Biscayne, Florida. For many crews, however, today marks the deadline, as the last day of racing is reserved for the top 10 boats in every class, mimicking the new format in Qingdao, China, next year when just these boats will be medal contenders.
But the Miami Olympic classes regatta is preparing the 850-strong competitors in more than just the competition format. Winds have been unusually light for most of the week, closely matching the normal conditions expected at China's Olympic regatta venue.
Although useful practice, the light airs provide an extra challenge, especially when consistency across all conditions is the norm for the top placed sailors in every discipline.
More importantly, while Ireland have a combined attendance of almost 20 sailors competing, Miami OCR is the first of three selection events for the twin Paralympic crews battling out for the single place that has already been secured for the next Olympiad.
Veteran Sonar class skipper John Twomey, from Kinsale, with Brian O'Mahoney and Anthony Hegarty, opened the week in exceptional form by scoring a first and second place on the opening day.
Rival Paul McCarthy and his crew, Paul Ryan and Richard Whealey, all from Kinsale as well, appeared to falter in the 14-boat class, placing just seventh and eighth.
Then fortunes reversed on day two with a double-blow of two OCS (On-Course Side) penalties for starting early and suddenly, Twomey was under pressure.
In local sailing parlance, the trio went "from hero to zero" and have been recovering ground since.
Although McCarthy secured an OCS as well, a second and third place from the seven races sailed to date has him placed fifth overall and within distance of the podium tomorrow afternoon.
Meanwhile, ninth overall to date reflects poorly on Twomey's opening day form, his points advantage remains comfortable and he should retain his top-10 position and qualify for the final medal rounds with a chance to close the gap on his clubmate.
Elsewhere in the 12 disciplines, Irish sailors are competing in the 49er Skiff, Laser single-handed, Laser Radial single-handed, Finn single-handed, Star keelboat and 470 double-handed.
Of the group, Finn sailor Tim Goodbody is faring well in 14th place after seven races in this 50-strong fleet.
Just 14-points separate him from a place in the medal final.
At home, sailing was keeping Sports Minister John O'Donoghue busy. After the Dingle Skellig Hotel was announced as the new sponsor of the Dún Laoghaire to Dingle Race at the National Yacht Club in Dún Laoghaire, it was off to Farmleigh House where ISA Volunteer of the Year Carmel Winklemann received another honour from the Sports Council for her work in the sport here that started 40 years ago.
The 220-mile Dún Laoghaire to Dingle Race begins on June 10th and it will take the fastest boats just over two days to complete the course.
The race is intended as a feeder event to the cruising grounds off the southwest coast or for boats intending to compete in the ICRA National Championships and Sovereign's Cup events in Cork at the end of June.
