By PA Sport Staff

Mark Covell and Ian Walker factfiles

Ian Walker and Mark Covell weighed in with a silver as Britain's sailing medal rush continued on Day 15 of the Sydney Olympics.

Walker and Covell finished behind the American pair of Mark Reynolds and Magnus Liljedahl, who had been third overnight.

Brazil's defending champions Torben Grael and Marcelo Ferreira had to settle for the bronze after being disqualified at the start of the final race for a rule infringement.

Walker and Covell had been lying second going into the final race of the Star class at Rushcutters Bay, five points behind Grael and Ferreira.

But the British pair could not give Britain a fourth gold to add to those of Shirley Robertson, Ben Ainslie and Iain Percy.

The silver medal was Britain's third of the day, after Tim Brabants' bronze in the canoeing sprint final and Percy's gold in the Finn class.

And it took Britain's overall tally to 25 - nine gold, nine silver, six bronze.

Walker won silver in the 470s at Atlanta with life-long friend John Merricks, who was tragically killed in a car accident 12 months later.

Covell also had to endure his own personal tragedy when his sailing partner Glyn Charles was lost in the Sydney to Hobart race last Christmas.

"I wouldn't be here if I hadn't sailed with Glyn," said Covell. "It is a very emotional thing and I dedicate my medal to Glyn, absolutely.

"When Glyn died I didn't know what was in store. Everything was just up in the air. Ian called and offered his help - he just said 'come sailing' and be part of the campaign.

"I couldn't have wished for a better person who understood what I was going through."

Walker said: "You can't underestimate the effect those individuals had on us. I learned a lot in the three years I sailed with John. A lot of John and Glyn is in Mark and I. There is never a day goes by when we don't think of their families and we dedicate this to their memories.

"But we have worked hard to make it happen and I am very proud of what we have achieved. Winning the silver like this brings a tear to the eye."