As Autumn storms herald the end of the main Sailing season, twin annual showdowns between various strands of the sport in Ireland are set to take place in Dun Laoghaire and Lough Ree over the next two weekends.

Germany’s Tommy Mueller extended his overall lead in the Brewin Dolphin Dragon Gold Cup at Kinsale yesterday as a third place for the day and upset amongst his nearest rivals set the stage for the second half of the series.

YET again violent storms forced the cancellation of all racing in Cork harbour’s and so far three races have been held in the Glaxo SmithKline Beecham Winter Series from the Royal Cork with the final race coming up on Sunday.

AN IRISH yacht is set to compete for one of sailing's most prestigious prizes later this month in America.