Orienteering: Ireland's Colm Rothery won the silver medal in the final of the World Masters Championships which concluded in Fielding, New Zealand, yesterday.
Jorgen Martenssen from Sweden, who has dominated international orienteering for many years, took gold in 59 minutes 37 seconds. Rothery was a clear second in 61:20, ahead of Esa Kinnunen from Finland in third (65:32).
Rothery's silver represents the first medal won at this level by an Irish orienteer. A member of the Metro/St Brigid's club in Blanchardstown, he received financial assistance from the Sports Council in 1999 and this allowed him to train full-time in New Zealand in preparation for the championships.
Motor Sport: The Irish motor racing season is due to start at Mondello Park on March 19th and though various construction work, including a new pits complex, has not yet started, it seems that racing will go ahead for the year as planned.
Yesterday, the following statement was issued: "In view of the current uncertainty surrounding motorsport at Mondello Park, Motorsport Ireland have sought, and received, assurances from representatives of the owners, Mondello Park Sports Ltd., and the occupiers, Vanadium Ltd., T/ A Mondello Racing Management.
"These assurances relate to the promotion and organisation of motorsport events at Mondello Park which will continue without interruption for the forseeable future."
