Irish duo set sights on Sydney Olympics

In a fresh development in Irish Olympic sailing, veteran campaigner Mark Mansfield has declared his candidacy for nomination to the national squad for Sydney 2000 following the Star class European Spring Championship in Austria. Former European and world champion David O'Brien has joined the Cork helm for the campaign and the pair recorded a 12th overall, including a fourth and fifth as their best results.

The duo reported their satisfaction with the Spring Championship event, particularly as it was O'Brien's first outing in a Star and the first time sailing with Mansfield. It was also the latter's first time in the class since his last race at Savannah in 1996. "It was a training process right from the start and we had an objective of a top-half result," Mansfield told The Irish Times on Saturday. There were about 70 boats in the fleet.

The event is a Grade 1 regatta according to the ISAF calendar and the pair will claim this as the first of two required Olympic nominating standard results. They must also qualify in the class for the Games, which can be done at either of two world championships between now and Sydney. Next stop on the campaign trail is Kiel Week in Germany later this month and the worlds in Italy in August.

The remainder of the training programme depends on funding according to O'Brien. Officials within the team have indicated their satisfaction that a competitive keelboat with proven crew may be joining the squad. Rumours of the Star campaign have been circulating for several months now, but the first result finally confirms their intentions.