MEN
Foerster, Merrick best in 470 class

Compiled by Globe Staff, 09/15/2000

WHEN: Sept. 23 (Mistral, Tornado), Sept. 24 (49er), Sept. 26 (470), Sept. 28 (Laser), Sept. 29 (Finn, Soling, Star)

US ENTRIES: Paul Foerster, Michael Gebhardt, Craig Healy, Hartwell Jordan, Magnus Liljedahl, John Lovell, Jeff Madrigali, Charlie McKee, Jonathan McKee, Robert Merrick, John Myrdal, Charlie Ogletree, Mark Reynolds, Russell Silverstri

FAVORITES:

• 49er: 1. Germany; 2. Spain; 3. France
• Laser: 1. Sweden; 2. Australia; 3. Brazil
• 470: 1. US; 2. France; 3. Ukraine
• Soling: 1. Germany; 2. Denmark; 3. Ukraine
• Mistral: 1. Australia; 2. New Zealand; 3. France
• Finn: 1. Canada; 2. Poland; 3. Sweden
• Star: 1. Australia; 2. US; 3. Canada
• Tornado: 1. Germany; 2. Austria; 3. Australia.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR: The Pacific Ocean in early spring ain't Savannah. If the Aussies are ever going to clean up, in sailing, it should be in their home waters. After managing only two medals last time, they hosts could get five. The US, which dropped from nine medals in '92 to two in '96, may not fare much better here. But they should strike gold with Foerster and Merrick in the 470.

WOMEN
Pan Am champ faces strong field

WHEN: Sept. 23 (Mistral), Sept. 26 (470), Sept. 28 (Europe)

US ENTRIES: Courtenay Becker-Dey, Lanee Butler, Pease Glaser, Jennifer Isler.

FAVORITES:

• Europe: 1. Denmark, 2. Finland, 3. Australia;
• 470: 1. Ukraine; 2. Greece; 3. Spain;
• Mistral: 1. France; 2. Italy; 3. Hong Kong

WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Butler won gold at the Pan Am Games and could contend in Mistral. Isler and Glaser won silver in the Pan Ams in 1986 and beat a talented US field to get to Sydney but have an uphill battle for a medal. Dey won bronze in Atlanta.