*Australian backdrop perfect setting for host domination*
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By Sandy Zinn 
SportsTicker Senior Editor 

JERSEY CITY, New Jersey (Ticker) -- Those men and women sailing
against a picturesque Australian backdrop this month will be
competing for Olympic medals. 

For the first time in the history of Olympic sailing, events
will be held within a working port.  And for just the second
time in three decades, sailing will be visible from the shore at
the host city. 

The backdrop in Sydney this month will range from towering
sandstone cliffs and timbered headlands to hilly harborside
suburbs, the tall buildings of the CBD and the city's most
famous landmarks -- the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House. 

At Atlanta in 1996, the competition was held five nautical miles
off the shore of Savannah, Georgia, forcing the public to take a
ferry to the events. 

Once the competition gets under way, sailers will compete in 11
disciplines using nine different classes of sailboats.  There
are individual, team and mixed events for men and women. 

The most popular one-person event is the Laser, an open
single-handed dinghy that gained Olympic status in 1996.  The
favorite is Brazilian Robert Schneidt, the reigning gold
medalist and four-time world champion. 

Australians should earn more than their share of sailing medals
this year. After all, they have dominated competition in recent
years and have the home water on their side. 

The Aussies also designed one of the debut events -- the 49er,
an open double-handed high performance dinghy.  Until this year,
Chris Nicholson and his crew had won all three World titles in
the event. 

Australia is considered a gold medal contender in several other
events, including both 470s, the women's Europe, men's mistral
and two-person boats like the Star and Tornado. 

The United States is sending a strong team to Sydney as
Americans are expected to fight for medals in the 49er, men's
470 and Tornado. 

Brothers Jonathan and Charlie McKee are expected to compete with
Australia, New Zealand and Germany in the 49er. 

Australians Tom King and Mark Tumbull won the 2000 Worlds in the
470 but will need to hold off Americans Paul Foerster and Bob
Merrick, who finished second at Kiel Week.  The New Zealanders
and Ukrainians also are considered medal favorites. 

The U.S. also has a good chance in the Tornado, the fastest boat
at this year's Games.  The wide-open field includes 1996 bronze
medalists John Lovell and Charlie Ogletree of the United States.

Americans have won 48 sailing medals -- 45 by men -- and take to
the water beginning September 17.  The competition runs through
September 30. 

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