One OF two world-class Irish athletes faces the sad prospect this weekend of giving up his goal of a place on the Irish squad for the Olympic Games in Sydney. Malahide's David Burrows and Ballyholme's John Driscoll are the contenders for the Finn class, and both are currently achieving top-10 results at all their events. One will be chosen for the Olympic team on Sunday at the conclusion of Kiel Week in northern Germany, which is the deciding event for the Irish trials. While both are officially ranked within the top 20 Finn sailors worldwide, the updated list later this summer should show both in the top 10 in the world.

Burrows is ranked fifth and Driscoll sixth according to the Eurolymp rankings that are based solely on the more recent three events in that circuit - and most or all of the world champions and Olympic medallists have been competing at these events. Thus, when the finishing gun fires off Kiel on Sunday afternoon, the Finn class nomination for the Irish squad will be decided by the selection of one of two world class athletes 15 months before their ultimate regatta. In Irish sailing terms, the situation is unprecedented - and in New Zealand, for instance, they will have special trials next spring to choose the best from 15 contenders.

Following Colin Chapman's withdrawal due to a persistent injury, the field narrowed to the two Olympic veterans. Entering the final event on Wednesday, Driscoll lagged behind by about 50 points in the special selection points system. This equated to two races, or beating Burrows by five points in every race at Kiel.

On Wednesday, the Malahide single-hander scored a sixth place while Driscoll initially took an On-Course-Side hit but was subsequently re-instated to 16th. The northern sailor must now be favourite, as he holds 12th overall against Burrows's 14th after four races. This is still not sufficient to take the lead in the points battle, however. Team manager Bill O'Hara last night predicted a close battle to the final race between the two boats, and there is still the spectre of potential gear failure for either boat.

Meanwhile, a large Irish contingent is participating at Kiel. The annual regatta has a record-breaking attendance of 2,000 boats, divided into two parts: various classes from wind-jammers to Maxi One-Designs raced until Tuesday of this week followed by the Olympic classes until Sunday.

There was further Irish interest in the Dragon fleet when Pol Ricard Hoj-Jensen won that former Olympic class with an all-Irish crew.

Ruan O'Tiarnaigh and Stephen Boyle were sailing with the multiple class champion to build their experience from Dublin Bay ahead of the Dragon Gold Cup later this year.

In current Irish Olympic classes, Tom Fitzpatrick and David McHugh are in good form and have full-time coaching backing them up at Kiel. After two days, they hold a good 25th place overall in a fleet of 110 boats and should make the Gold fleet.

After the disappointment of their recent Rule 69 at SPA, the pair's spirits were lifted after they signed a sponsorship deal with clothing brand Helly Hansen.

Two other 470s were also in action, with Laura Dillon and Ciara Peelo along with Gerbil Owens and Philip Lawton working towards Athens 2004.

The only current confirmed Irish team nominee is Maria Coleman in the Europe. She was attempting to clear a kidney infection, but is good form, consistently achieving top-10 results.

Laser sailor Jon Lasenby will be hoping to improve on his result from SPA Regatta and get his second Olympic Nominating Standard result.

Meanwhile, Dublin and Cork yachts are racing head to head in the overall battle to win the Sovereign's Cup at Kinsale after the first two days of racing. Among the big boats of class one, Corkman Cormac Twomey's Dun Laoghaire based Sarah J has taken the lead over Howth's Infinity. However, local entry VSOP skippered by John Godkin is very much in contention in the IR 2000 handicap stakes.

However, the eventual winner of the series may yet be found in class two where Flor Riordan leads in Cheers, hotly pursued by Barry Rose's Obsession.