The Star European Championships in Dun Laoghaire took another dramatic twist today when Brtitish Gold medallists Iain Percy and Andrew Simpson withdrew from the regatta citing the skipper's ankle injury sustained on the first day of racing.

Meanwhile, 30 knot gusts have cut short racing again today with the 27-boat fleet returning to shore after one race sailed from a possible three.

Above and Below Ireland's O'Leary and Burrows surf downwind in 30 knots. Photos: David O'Brien

The top three results did not change after this morning's Race three, overall the Italians lead from France (Guillaume Florent) and then Ireland's Peter O'Leary and David Burrow who put in another stunning performance.

Committee vessels remained on station this lunch time on Dublin Bay but there is no sign of the reappearance of the Olympic class from Dun Laoghaire Harbour so far this afternoon.

Update at 6pm

The 2006 European champion Diego Negri (ITA) with Enrico Voltolini remain as overalls leaders after their second win of the series while local interest hinges on Peter O’Leary and David Burrows in third overall after their second third place of weather-hit event.

However, the plan to sail three races to catch-up on the programme was scuppered by the weather once again.  Although the strong winds had eased to less than 20 knots, barely half an hour after starting shortly before mid-day, a 30-plus knot squall swept across the fleet that was already dealing with a short, choppy seaway.  Three boats suffered mast damage and retired while there were two reports of separate man-overboard incidents that were successfully recovered.

Thursday’s forecast offers better hope of completing a minimum number of races for a championship as well as a single discard with light to moderate winds expected leading to an early morning start to racing.

Star European Championship 2011 at Royal St. George YC, Dun Laoghaire, Ireland

(Provisional overall standings after three races):

1st ITA Diego Negri & Enrico Voltolini
2nd FRA Guillaume Florent & Pascal Rambeau
3rd IRL Peter O'Leary & David Burrows
4th CAN Richard Clarke & Tyler Bjorn
5th POL Mateusz Kusznierewicz Dominik Zycki
6th POR Afonso Domingos & Frederico Melo