The Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company has confirmed that it is to commence discussions on a detailed contract with Marina Marketing & Management Ltd, the bidder for the proposed 680-berth marina at the South Dublin port. After a period expected to be about four to six weeks, the board will vote to give its final approval to the project with construction scheduled to begin in six months' time.

It is understood the criteria for awarding the tender concerned technical qualification in marina construction and management in addition to consideration of the financial plans for each bidding group. While all four proposals to the Harbour Company met the expectations for technical ability, Marina Marketing & Management are understood to have differed significantly from the other bidders in terms of the financial return offered to the semi-state company responsible for the harbour.

"Pricing policy will be a matter solely for the concessionaire, who will decide what the market can bear," said Michael Hanahoe, chief executive of the Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company yesterday. Although refusing to be drawn on the detail of berth charges anticipated by the bidders, he did point to the high cost of constructing the breakwaters required to provide shelter within the harbour and conceded it was unlikely that berths would be cheap.

The successful tender comprises three well-known sailing figures as its major share-holders. The group is led by John Bourke, who is a former president of the Irish Sailing Association (ISA), a former commodore of the Royal Ocean Racing Club and a long-serving chairman of the Offshore Racing Council, the governing body for that area of the sport internationally.

Michael O'Leary and Tom Power have been less prominent in competitive sailing in recent years, but at the height of interest in offshore racing were deeply involved in various Irish teams competing in the Admiral's Cup and other such events on that circuit. The three have also involved the Michigan-based Abonmarche Group as the fourth shareholder. This link provides global experience in marina construction and management for the project.

The decision will come as a blow to the Dun Laoghaire Combined Clubs (DLCC) grouping that comprises the major sailing institutions in the area.

The DLCC proposal had proposed a co-operative type scheme in an effort to minimise higher berthing charges for its members and public users alike. Surplus funds generated would be ploughed back into local facilities under their scheme.

Commenting on the decision yesterday, Martin Crotty, chairman of the DLCC said: "We send our congratulations to the winners and wish them well. "We will be offering them our support as our members want to see a marina in Dun Laoghaire - provided it is operated at an economical level."

Meanwhile, the harbour will be the venue this weekend for the Irish regional qualifier for the UK Team Racing Championship on April 18th and 19th. Seven teams from around Ireland will compete for the places and the pressure will be on the host club's A Team to secure a place at the championship. The Royal St George YC hosts this weekend's event as well as the ISAF World Team Racing Championships in July where up to 18 nations are expected to compete.

Attendance at the UK Nationals and the Wilson Trophy event at West Kirby in Merseyside will be crucial for the three-boat team's build-up to the worlds. Helms Andrew Fowler, Michael O'Connor and Max Treacy and their crews are in the midst of intensive training and have been sailing four times in the last week and are on the water at least twice a week over the winter period.

This weekend may also serve as an indicator for a possible second Irish team for the worlds in July following the withdrawal of the Ballyholme SC team as the likely second Irish squad for the championship due to family commitments. Irish manager Johnny Ross-Murphy is thought to be considered a "dream team" option comprising the remainder of the top Irish talent for the second slot at the worlds.

The Italian Prada team mastered north easterly winds of between 18 and 20 knots to move to the top of the leader board in the America's Cup trial regatta yesterday.

Francesco de Angelis, skipper of the Italian team, first beat the French crew under the command of Bertrand Pace by 16 seconds and then went on to defeat America True from San Francisco.

The Italians got the upper hand coming off the starting line of the first race, but with Bertrand Pace of the French Le Defi team close enough to force de Angelis into a rule infringement and a penalty.

However, de Angelis soon established a big enough lead to complete his penalty turn and take the race to put his Prada sponsored team back at the top of the ladder.

America True, skippered by John Cutler, got the better of the start against the Italians, holding the lead for the first lap and a half. But a blown-out spinnaker cost them the race.

As the Americans and French were warming up for their match, the hydraulic system on Cutler's boat exploded and, with the wind close to the limit for these delicate craft, it was decided to call off racing for the day.

The organisers are hoping to complete four races among the challengers today.