Ireland's remaining squad at the Indigo ISAF World Team Racing Championship once more faces a make or break day in Dun Laoghaire this morning as they start the day 2-0 down to New Zealand in their quarter-final encounter. Anything but three wins this morning will see the Irish eliminated from the competition.

Yesterday the eight quarterfinalists were drawn to sail the best of five races against a single opponent each to decide who progresses to the semi-finals.

Having sailed steadily throughout the week, Ireland 1 drew New Zealand, undoubtedly the dark horse of this championship. Younger, relatively less well known than other some other crews and quietly performing, the Kiwis were always going to be formidable opposition for the Irish.

Nevertheless, despite losing the first two races yesterday, the task for the Irish is not insurmountable as both sides are the same in many ways. Ireland 1 has considerable talent on their side with years of team racing experience and 12 months intensive preparation.

In turn, the Kiwis have based their challenge on their unique national model of training, attitude and preparation that has become a hallmark of that country's sailing achievements. In classic form at this event, they are understated, composed and reaching a peak.

Elsewhere in the quarter-finals, both United States teams were all square with a victory each last night. Along with Australians, who are in the same situation, the Americans must drop one crew as only one team per nation may proceed to the quarter-finals. This leaves Britain and Canada fighting it out for the remaining place as the second British squad were knocked out from the Gold fleet knock-out round earlier in the day.

The much stronger GBR1 team have had two wins over Canada already and stand poised for a third this morning to secure their place in the ever dwindling fleet.

In the Silver fleet sail-offs yesterday afternoon, Ireland 2 were forced out of contention in the best of three races as France beat them 2-0. A similar result over the South African 2 side sees the Czech Republic take on France and a win for the eastern European team would be a considerable boost for the hosts of the next world championship in 2001.

Yesterday's enthusiastic crowd were not shy of showing their appreciation for the spectacular demonstration of skill, all well within shouting distance.