All the fun of the Park

DIGEST/MOTOR SPORT:The weekend's free Phoenix Park races continue a tradition that dates back to 1903 when speed trials were held in Dublin's famous venue during the week after the Gordon Bennet Cup race, writes Brian Foley.

All races are sponsored and will be over the compact but nonetheless challenging 2.784km Oldtown Circuit. The Formula Libre cars of Dan Daly, Ken Fildes and Simon McKinely will the fastest cars and lots of close and exciting racing is expected in the various formula, saloon and sportscar races.

The meeting is organised by the Leinster Motor Club in association with the "Park Drivers" and fingers are crossed for fine weather.

High winds for Fastnet

SAILING:Seven Irish entries are among the 300 boats confirmed for the 608-mile Fastnet Race, which starts tomorrow, including two Round Ireland winners, writes David O'Brien.

Royal Cork's Cavatina, skippered by Eric Lisson, starts as an unlikely favourite against some of the world's top racing machines because the 38-footer is an old and slow boat.

On handicap, however, she has a significant time advantage.

Smaller still at 32-foot is Dún Laoghaire's Teng Tools, skippered by Eamon Crosbie, which also won the 704-mile Round Ireland.

By Tuesday winds are forecast to be similar to the 1979 Fastnet Race with gusts of 50 knots.

O'Keeffe wins silver

ATHLETICS: Ireland's Eileen O'Keeffe yesterday won the silver medal in the women's hammer at the World University Games in Bangkok, with a throw of 68.46 metres, writes Ian O'Riordan. Darya Pchelnik of Belarus took gold with a throw of 68.74 metres, while Ledvinova of the Czech Republic won bronze with 65.66 metres.

O'Keeffe, who is studying theatre nursing at the Royal College of Surgeons, said: "I'm delighted; it's brilliant, obviously it was very close but its just a great to win a medal at this level. It's a huge boost heading into the world championships in Osaka in just two weeks time."

Ailis McSweeney qualified for today's 100m semi-finals with a season's best of 11.92.