AS several of the Olympic sailing disciplines reach their halfway stage, the likely winners are beginning to establish themselves at the top of the pecking order. Ireland's sailors are split into two groups top 10 contenders and mid fleet hopefuls.
The sharp competition was again hampered by storms off Savannah, although the postponement of racing in some classes caused more frustration than the weather itself for crews keen to get on with racing regardless.
Ireland's single handers Aisling Bowman and Mark Lyttle had another good day yesterday in the Europe and Laser class respectively and are still within reach of the leading boats after six races in the Ii-race series.
Bowman is fifth overall scoring a fifth and a seventh yesterday while Lyttle produced a 14th and a fifth to place him in eighth overall. Both classes were to have had until Monday to recover from the last three days of intense sailing, but last night were awaiting a decision as to whether today's reserve races would be used.
Meanwhile, Lyttle's race win on Wednesday sent a wave of elation around the Irish camp at Savannah and is seen by the Dun Laoghaire sailor as vindication for his herculean efforts so far.
However, there was less encouraging news from the Star and Finn courses after their single race yesterday. Mark Mansfield and David Burrows have settled down to a mid fleet 15th position after a 16th place yesterday failed to realise their proven potential.
John Driscoll has yet to put in a single top fleet result and was 20th yesterday, maintaining his 24th overall position in his 30 boat class. Although notoriously tricky to sail, with techniques varying from boat to boat, Driscoll's expectations in his Finn have yet to be reached.
After two days of racing, the 470 women fleet have only had two races and will be using the reserve courses today to compensate. Denise Lyttle and Louise Ann Cole are in ninth position after a second 10th place yesterday. Although the windier weather is supposed to suit the pair, they have still to find form to stay up with the leaders who had big leads over each other in the long swells yesterday.
The 470s, however, are still only starting their regatta compared to other classes and time remains to build on their good position.
Finally, the three man Soling comes back into action today with Marshall King, Dan O'Grady and Garrett Connolly seeking to maintain their top six position for the remaining seven races.
