Strong winds of up to 30 knots took their toll on Irish hopes at the Sailing World Championships in Melbourne yesterday.

In the Finn class, John Driscoll improved once again from 17th to 12th overnight and is certain to make the Irish squad for that class for Sydney 2000. Elsewhere, however, Laser sailor Jon Lasenby has already departed Melbourne for the Sail Auckland Regatta next month following the end of the Laser World Championship on Wednesday. For him, Melbourne failed to meet his goals as 27th overall in the tough 140 boat fleet was down on 21st and 22nd placings at the last two worlds. Mel Collins and Fraser Brown in the Skiff 49er were similarly afflicted, missing out on a place in the silver fleet after mast difficulties caused them to miss three races. There was also disappointment for the 470 men's pair of Tom Fitzpatrick and David McHugh, currently third in their bronze fleet. A broken rudder earlier in the event is certain to have cost them a silver fleet result.