Following the cancellation of the final day of racing at Kiel Week, Germany yesterday, David Burrows from Malahide was confirmed as the Irish Finn class nominee for the Sydney 2000 Olympics. The three event selection trials saw John Driscoll's campaign effectively ended in spite of achieving a world top 10 ranking in the discipline.
Although racing against each other for the nomination, both Burrows and Driscoll still achieved a high overall position at Kiel in a fleet of 65 boats. While Driscoll had edged ahead of Burrows after Thursday's fourth race, he slipped back to end 13th, Burrows finishing ninth.
"Finally its all over," a relieved Burrows told The Irish Times yesterday. "Its been a pretty tough fight between the two of us from the very start. We pushed each other as hard as we could but it didn't get messy." Burrows now plans to take some time out to consider how best to proceed with his Olympic campaign. Burrows had until this point been completely focused on the Irish selection trials.
The difference between the two contenders had been clear from the outset of these trials. While both have been close in the points table, Burrows has proven himself by his consistent performances. Driscoll has, however, shown himself to be a radically transformed athlete. An upbeat Driscoll threw his weight behind Burrows last night. "I hope that the competition that Dave and I have given will push Irish sailing forward," he said.
"He has got the balls to do it and I would rather be beaten by an Olympic medallist than a mid-fleeter; he has my full support." While Driscoll has already sold his equipment and sails, he has also offered to share his knowledge and experience to anyone in Ireland interested in Olympic sailing. Both Burrows and Driscoll are ranked in the top six of the Eurolymp circuit that includes all the leading Finn champions and Olympic medallists. Team officials have hailed the outcome as ground-breaking for Irish sailing, while Burrows's victory brings to two the number of Irish sailors nominated to the Olympic Council of Ireland for Sydney 2000.
Maria Coleman, who fulfilled her criteria last January in Melbourne, had a good regatta ending 13th out of 128 Europe single-handers. The 470 men's team of Tom Fitzpatrick and David McHugh had one of their best results to date when they were 26th overall out of 108 boats. Laser single-hander Jon Lasenby, who has achieved all but one of his criteria for Sydney, finished mid-fleet. Meanwhile at Dun Laoghaire this weekend, Fred Ridgeway's Scruffian emerged the clear winner of the Ruffian National Championship. The five race series was hotly contested as usual.
