Olympic chiefs back Mansfield in selection findings

THE Irish team for next year’s Olympic Games in Athens should include one of the country’s strongest medal prospects after the Olympic Council of Ireland (OCI) ruled that the selection procedure for sailing’s Star Class shouldn’t be altered.

The Irish Sailing Association (ISA) changed selection procedure for Athens earlier this year, after deciding the original process was generating unhealthy competition among Ireland’s top two sailors, Mark Mansfield and Max Treacy.

Initially, if Mansfield, currently number three in the world, was ranked in the top eight and Treacy, presently 15, was ranked outside the top 16 after this September’s World Championship, Mansfield would qualify automatically for Athens.