Green make good on French slip

SAILING COMMODORE'S CUPAFTER SIX hours of racing offshore in the English Channel, a delicate balance was emerging for Irish hopes in the Rolex Commodore's Cup last night. Britain's Red team was starting to emerge as a clear favourite. Though, with a light wind forecast, the standings will remain unclear until about lunchtime today following the conclusion of this high-scoring mid-event race.

A slip by second-placed France Blue saw the Ireland Green team pull up the ranks thanks to the squad's smallest boat, No Naked Flames, that was leading its class.

That result was carrying Eamonn Rohan's Blondie IV and Tim Costello's Tiamat, who were both mid-fleet.

It was a similar story for the other Irish squad. Anthony O'Leary's Antix Eile was proving her worth at the head of the fleet of 45 boats yesterday, lying fourth on the water but first on corrected handicap time.

But racing for the Ireland White relies on the two other boats, which were both mid-fleet, and the team's overall standing hadn't improved beyond fifth place last night.

Conor Phelan's and Eamon Crosbie's entries, Jump Juice and Teng Tools, were 10th in their respective 15-strong divisions.

Overall, as last night's provisional results stood, Britain Red was pulling away from the chasing fleet with high results across all three divisions. Ireland Green was leading the pursuit but only by a slim margin of 10 points compared to the leader's 23-point lead.

Today's outcome could yet alter if the fleet is becalmed overnight.

Meanwhile, after allegations that Irish boats have been targeted to force them to take penalty turns that would alter the race standings, Irish Cruiser Racing Association officials in Cowes will be watching tomorrow's next round of inshore races carefully.

The incidents do not carry penalties for the boat alleging infringement but rely on the jury boat afloat being elsewhere on the course while witness evidence purportedly coming from team-mates.

In past events, there has been strong evidence to suggest that nations with several teams entered have used underperforming squad boats to target rival nations' boats to hamper their standings.

ICRA officials have indicated that no action is to be taken at this stage other than to maintain added vigilance on the course.