Steady Performances Keep Irish in Hunt for Olympic Qualification. On Sunday the 3rd race of the six race series took place at the World Championships of the Star sailing class in Miami, Florida. The event has additional importance as it is the 2nd and final opportunity for qualification for the 2008 Olympic Games. 4 nation spots are available and there are three crews competing to secure one of the spots for Ireland.   

Miami, April 11 to April 17 (scheduled to finish Thursday)

SUNDAY, APRIL 13

DAY 3, RACE 3

4 Olympic Places available in Florida in 6 Race Championships

The racing conditions were difficult and produced podium places for France, Brazil and New Zealand. The three Irish crews all battled hard to make up ground throughout the race. On a day when some competitors found their championship hopes blown away the Irish performances kept them in the hunt for a high finish and the coveted Olympic place.

Peter O'Leary & Stephen Milne, race 3, 35th, overall 13th,

Max Treacy & Anthony Shanks,  race 3, 17th, overall 33rd,

Maurice 'Prof' O'Connell & Ben Cooke, race 3, 21st,  overall 44th.

The 104 boats in the fleet will sail all six races as one fleet. The final placings will be determined by the best 5 of the 6 races with one discard score. O'Leary & Shanks overall placing keep Ireland very much in the hunt for one of the four Olympic spots. However, the position will be much clearer after race 4 when the discard will be included in the calculation of scores.

Monday is a reserve day with race 4 scheduled for Tuesday.

12 Nations qualified already in the Star class for 2008 Olympics. 

11 from 2007 worlds in Portugal, Australia, Belgium, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Sweden, USA and the host China.

Ireland has already secured 3 nation places in 11 of the competition categories for the 2008 Olympic regatta: Finn, Laser Radial and 470.

More information at

   http://www.starworlds2008.com/