The annual SPA Olympic classes regatta got under way on the scenic Isselmeer in Holland yesterday with mixed news from the Irish squad. The event is an important stage in the preparations for Sydney 2000 and an estimated 1,050 sailors from around the world have entered.
Following on last weekend's ground-breaking result at the Star World Championships in Annapolis, Maryland bronze medallists Mark Mansfield and David O'Brien have opted out of competition at this event. Fewer than 10 Star boats are sailing here, and the Irish pair has decided in favour of resting after the success of last week.
Single-hander David Burrows, who took third place at the Finn Europeans six weeks ago, is also not competing. Following a hand-injury received in training last week, he is resting ahead of the world championships in a fortnight. However, the Malahide sailor was afloat today watching his competition in action and may test his new boat later this week if passed fully fit.
The squad members that were racing yesterday produced a mixed set of results. Europe sailor Maria Coleman was in her usual form, finishing in the top 10 of her class that has a 73-boat turnout.
Her best result came from the opening race in which she scored a fourth, followed by a ninth and seventh places.
This accounts for the three boats confirmed for the Sydney 2000 Irish team line-up. However, the SPA regatta is arguably of greater significance for the remaining two boats hoping to sail at the games.
Jon Lasenby first qualified the Laser single-hander for Ireland at the Dubai World Sailing Championships in March 1998. Campaigning solidly since then, his form has consistently remained just outside the national criteria for the nomination standard.
Like the 470 crew of Tom Fitzpatrick and David McHugh, Lasenby must get two top-12 by nation results at this regatta and/or either of the next two grade one events remaining in the European pre-Olympic season.
As the results for the first day of racing were calculated at the new, state-of-the-art regatta centre in Medemblick yesterday, Lasenby's form has still to get going as he counted a 22nd, 51st and a maximum points penalty for an On Course Side (OCS) starting infringement.
The Dun Laoghaire sailor is 99th overall out of 116 boats, while the undeclared Diarmuid MacColgain is in 85th place.
Relief for Lasenby could rest in the number of races expected - up to 15 if conditions permit over the next few days. At least one discard will certainly bring him back up the fleet from this very early stage of the regatta.
Similarly, the race schedule should assist Fitzpatrick and McHugh in the 470 who also had an unremarkable opening day.
The Howth/Wicklow pair were lying 25th overall out of 41 boats, or approximately 16th by nation, but they two were carrying an OCS penalty.
SPA Olympic Classes Regatta (at Medemblick, Holland) - Overall standings after three races: Europe; 1, K Roug (Den); 2, M Matthijsse (Ned); 3, M de Konig (Ned); Irish - 8, M Coleman. Laser: 1, R Schedit (Bra); 2, D Birgmark (Swe); 3, S Kats (Ned); Irish - 85, D MacColgain; 99, J Lasenby; 470 Men: 1, Kosmatopoulos and Kostas (Gre); 2, Kingamd Turnbull (Aus); 3, Conte and de la Fuente (Arg); Irish - 25, Fitzpatrick and McHugh. No Finn results available.
