Sailing Olympic Trials: Last weekend's conclusion to the annual Miami Olympic Classes Regatta brought a fresh announcement to the line-up for Athens 2004 after a two-event trials series in the Sonar class. Sydney 2000 Paralympian John Twomey and his crew have been confirmed as nominees for the class after a narrow result between two Kinsale boats.
Veteran Twomey along with Brian O'Mahony and Seán McGrath defeated Paul McCarthy with John Paul Ryan and Chris Thomas by a slim, 15-point advantage after the trials, combining points gained from Miami along with the pre-Olympic event in Athens last summer.
Although McCarthy and his crew will be disappointed with missing selection by such a close margin, that a trial was required in the first instance marks the significant progress being made in this area of sailing, spear-headed by their own club and followed by fewer than half a dozen others around the coast.
The focus for the next seven months is tactics and also to increase O'Mahony and McGrath's body weight, as the breeze in Athens is far from certain to be light. Sails and other options in the technical area are also under the spotlight.
Meanwhile, Miami marked the first major Grade One event of the year that saw the International Sailing Federation's world rankings list revised. This week's announcement brought mixed news for Irish boats.
Up one place to third in the world is Mark Mansfield with Killian Collins in the Star keelboat. The Cork pair locked horns afloat with rivals Max Treacy and Anthony Shanks in the first of three trials regattas. While a 24th at Miami was untypical of Mansfield's form, their Dun Laoghaire opposition slipped from 16th to 20th in the rankings, adding to the psychological advantage.
Confirmed Europe class nominee Maria Coleman remains unchanged at 10th overall, though her season has yet to get under way in earnest. Similarly, the Finn single-handers are preparing for the Gold Cup in Rio de Janeiro next week and Aaron O'Grady and David Burrows remain unchanged in 29th and 32nd respectively.
