The European circuit of Olympic-class regattas is in full swing at the first event in Hyeres, France, this week where Ireland's leading sailors are in attendance.
This series comprises at least three events depending on each boat's schedule and results will be watched closely for signs of form in advance of Sydney 2000.
The Irish line-up is led by two single-handers who are both confirmed national squad members.
Buoyed by a fine third overall result at the recent Finn European Championship, David Burrows is flying high and will be eagerly awaiting the next set of world rankings in which he is expected to leap upwards from eighth place.
Yesterday saw the Malahide sailor place fourth and fifth. Similarly, Baltimore's Maria Coleman is lying fourth on the world rankings and is among the three best female athletes of Ireland's entire squad.
Her results from yesterday's racing in her 80-boat fleet were unavailable last night but a sixth or better is expected this weekend.
Jon Lasenby, who is listed by the Sydney 2000 organisers as Ireland's Laser representative has yet to meet the national criteria. However, midway through the Hyeres event he has qualified for the Gold fleet out of 160 boats and is currently lying 35th.
The European events count as valuable Grade One regattas for qualification purposes and the single-hander must work his way into the top 15 or better in two events to make the national nomination standard.
However, Tom Fitzpatrick and David McHugh have departed the event after failing to make the gold fleet split in the 470 men's class.
Their preparations will now totally focus on their world championships, the one and only chance they have to qualify the class for Ireland at the games.
Meanwhile, Mark Mansfield and David O'Brien depart for the United States next week to begin preparation for the Star World Championships in Annapolis, Maryland in mid-May.
The Cork/Dublin duo have scored well in recent events, topping the list of potential qualifying nations still remaining, giving rise to confidence in team management that at least a third boat would be joining Coleman and Burrows down under.
