Dutch masters in total control

SAILING: With typical speed that characterised their performance throughout the week, Albert Kooijman and the crew of Just 4 Fun won the Alfa Romeo-sponsored J24 European Championship at Dun Laoghaire. As winds gusted to gale force at times yesterday, the conditions took their toll on numerous boats. Kooijman's scoresheet of five wins, a second, third and sixth places allowed the five-man Dutch crew a massive 20-point lead by the ninth race.

Although principal race officer Tony O'Gorman had hoped to complete the series with a 10th race, his decision to end at lunchtime proved correct as winds gusted to almost 50 knots in the afternoon. A win followed by a third place for German national champion Leif Tom Loose gave the Rotoman crew second place overall with a one-point edge over the Italian Revenue Police on Guardia di Finanza.

A crop of Irish boats featured in the top end of the 52-boat fleet. Best of the bunch was Barry O'Neill's Jazz from the Royal St. George YC who sailed a very consistent series to end eighth overall. Clubmate Desmond Fortune with Hard On Port scored a third in yesterday morning's race to take ninth but also had the honour of being one of just five race winners of the series.

Bryan Maguire and the crew of Cries of Passion from the Royal Irish YC took 10th place while the National YC's Enda O'Coineen on Kilcullen finished 11th. Maurice O'Connell, helming British entry Crew Clothing, achieved his objective of a top-15 result when he ended in 12th overall.

Yesterday's racing involved an amount of mishaps in the brisk conditions.One boat lost control and hit another two J's; a crew member was washed off another while Rob Henshall's Jurassic from Lough Erne was dismasted when its backstay was released as the spinnaker filled.

Ashore, the crew of Carmelo Savastano's Italian entry Korus were contemplating their decision to withdraw from the event on Thursday after receiving two disqualifications for illegal propulsion. The crew are planning to appeal to the FIV, their national federation, for what they claim was unfair treatment by the International Jury (ISAF appointed). Co-owner Giovanni Pinelli insisted that their actions were simply legitimate sail trimming motions.