Updated 17.15
SAILING DUO Peter O’Leary and David Burrows got their medal challenge off to a promising start on the opening day of the men’s star class sailing.
The Irish boat put in two solid performances in Weymouth this afternoon to move into second place overnight behind leaders Brazil.
The first of today’s races was delayed by almost half an hour due to the weather but it ended in smiles for the Irish boat which came home in second place.
A slow start saw O’Leary and Burrows trail in 14th at the first mark but the pair made up huge ground in the second half of the race, surging back into second by the third mark.
They held their position to finish 32 seconds behind the French crew of Xavier Rohart and Pierre-Alexis Ponsont.
That strong showing continued in the afternoon’s second race as O’Leary and Burrows raced into the lead at the first mark before they were reeled in.
A late flurry saw them regain some lost ground to finish in sixth place, 52 seconds behind race winners Brazil who edged Beijing gold medallists Great Britain in the tightest of finishes.
Brazil lead the overall standings on five points with Ireland three points back on eight. Poland and Norway are tied for third on 12 points.
The competition continues tomorrow with two more races due to begin at 2.05pm and 3.20pm.
