Starting costs Irish pair in the finish

THE offshore winds continue to frustrate and confound many of the Irish team at the pre-Olympic Regatta on the Saronic Gulf off Athens yesterday, although operator error continues to play a large part.

For Cork’s Mark Mansfield and Killian Collins in the Star class it was starting which proved their expensive downfall.

After sailing to a well earned, hard won fourth place in the first of their two heats yesterday they were disqualified in the second heat for being on the course side of the start line during the final minute before the start gun.