Ireland's latest Olympians for Sydney 2000 confirmed their selection last weekend when Kinsale's John Twomey, Paul McCarthy and Sean McGrath finished 12th over-all in the World Disabled Sailing Championships in Cadiz.
The trio were competing in the Sonar Class and will now be one of 15 nations competing in October next year. The first seven nations were selected in the 1998 World Championships in Newport, Rhode Island with the remaining eight last weekend.
The Irish team's result placed them 10th nation over-all, comfortably assuring them of their place in Sydney. Two classes are used and although Burke tried the 2.4 single-hander in Boston several years ago when it was introduced the Cork sailor prefers the 23 foot Sonar.
"It was designed by Bruce Kirby so it is basically a long Laser with a four foot keel," Twomey told The Irish Times this week.
"The 2.4 is more suited to flat water conditions that you don't get on the south coast. Personally, I wouldn't fancy it in a blow."
Twomey, arguably Ireland's best known disabled sailor, is also a familiar face in Irish clubs as a competitor in the Dragon class.
This year, the International Class Association allowed a minor modification to his boat to enable him install a special tacking seat, a move aimed at improving comfort and safety rather than any competitive advantage.
However, this campaign is his main priority and he started in earnest 12 months ago when he teamed up with McCarthy and McGrath, another Dragon sailor and a PE teacher respectively.
As with any serious international campaign, money makes the difference between having a go and realistic chances of success. The Irish Sonar crew will spend almost £100,00 over a 24-month period.
In the last years they have competed at three events in the US (where the Sonar is especially strong) and three in Britain. While they have access to two boats in Ireland, enabling them to sail pacing trials, both are ageing and a new craft will be needed within months for the final run-up to the games.
So far, support has come from ICC Bank who have covered travel expenses while Irish Sailing Association grants of £1,600 have been spent on entry fees. Now that they have qualified, hopes are high that Sports Council funding will be forthcoming under its carding scheme.
When contacted yesterday, the ISA said: "We will certainly be making a very vigorous funding application - the forms will be sent off this week." With international recognition of disabled sailing growing at an "enormous rate".
Twomey also commented on the Irish situation.
The best facilities are at Kinsale, Monkstown and Crosshaven in the Cork area. "Howth is good and I have also enjoyed racing in Bangor and at the Royal North of Ireland YC," he said. "We still need to get more people afloat but then that's the same throughout sailing. Disabled sailors face few difficulties once afloat," commented Twomey. "Once you're on your boat you're fine. In fact we're more at home afloat - its just getting afloat that can be tricky," he said. "Luckily there's more and more marinas around so that's becoming less of a problem."
