The OSG met on 30th April to select a crew for the Star class following the recent successful Star World Championships in Miami USA at which Ireland secured a nation place at the 2008 Olympics.

Colm Barrington, Chairman of the OSG, commented "The three crews in contention for the place demonstrated enormous skill and great determination in their campaigns. While it is very disappointing for the 2 crews who miss out, the OSG unanimously selected O'Leary & Milne. They have demonstrated that they have the best chance of success in the Olympic regatta in 2008".

James O'Callaghan, ISA Performance Director, stated "Obviously we were delighted with the performances of all three crews throughout the campaign. They all knew the selection process in advance and the competition between them drove them all to strong performances."

* This is a very controversial decision by the ISA and we are going to appeal it because we truly believe that our record stands for itself.

Without reflecting on any other sailors, Anthony and I won outright on the water, we alone qualified the country, we are the highest placed Irish Star sailors in the World Rankings, we won the nominated events by an indisputable margin, we were 4th in the Grade 1 Spring Europeans last year against virtually all of the current nominated countries for the 2008 Olympics, we are the only Irish sailing team this year across all classes to have attained the status of 'World Class Athletes' with the Irish Sports Council.

We are still in shock and cannot believe that the ISA could make this decision.

Max Treacy and Anthony Shanks