Irish Sailors are in action at a range of events around the world this week, as the sailing season approaches its zenith. In classes ranging from Dragons to Optimists, a mixed bag of results has come through so far though for several boats, the week is unlikely to live up to expectations as some performances are off form in a few notable cases.

At the Dragon class European Championships in Holland, Andrew Craig of the Royal St. George Yacht Club on Chimaera headed the Irish contingent in eighth place after three races. Dutch sailor Fred Imhoff leads overall with German Harm Mueller-Spreer in second. Craig's challenge in the 50-plus boat fleet is particularly serious given the presence on his crew of National Champion Mick Cotter.

Their combined effort, including a second placing in Monday's first race, is in stark contrast to two other notable Irish entries who will be seeking higher placings in the latter half of the championship. Multiple national champion Simon Brien, with his brother Mark and David Gomes crewing, was in 25th overall.

Another Dun Laoghaire crew who would have expected a better placing is Das Boot partnered by John Lavery, Geoff Chadwick and Paul Maguire. They are in 28th place, counting a 37th, 15th and 28th placings - well off form but only leaving room for better results as the event progresses. Peter Bowring's entry helmed by Cork's Neil Hegarty is in 37th.

Closer to home, Noel Butler and Garth Ablett's 3Comm sponsored entry in the Laser II European Championships at Abersoch was best of the Irish contingent in sixth place after four races at a very windy and drama packed event. The fleet has been competing in winds of up to 30 knots and many crews are reported to be physically exhausted. Other top Irish boats include Michael Ferguson and Jeremy Tomalin who are second placed junior boat. Overall results were unavailable last night.

At the Optimist World Championships in Portugal, Argentinian Fernando Gwozdz retains the lead after eight races but has shown that he is fallible with a fifth and 19th is the last two. One Irish boat has made the top half of the fleet; Lorcan Lennon is currently 82nd in the 200 boat fleet. The other Irish overall results include Dylan Gannon in 110th, Keir Clarke in 141st, Conor McGonagle in 150th and Nicholas O'Leary in 155th.

In an event originally planned to rival the Admiral's Cup, but for amateur and semi-professional sailors, just six countries are competing in biennial Rolex Commodore's Cup in Cowes. Once again, there is no Irish team while the Netherlands Green team enjoyed a successful start yesterday with a first place after the initial two races.

Germany Red also had a good day and are currently lying in second overall just half a point behind the leaders. The team middle boat, Sequana, finished the day unbeaten with two firsts in her class. Designed in 1997 and only launched at the beginning of the year, her chances are maximised by the talents of her skipper, Thomas Jungbluth, who has had one of the most successful sailing careers of anyone sailing in the event.

England, the 1996 winners, had a disappointing start and could only manage a fourth (Red team) and joint seventh with Belgium.