By PA Sport Staff

Event: Open Star

MARK COVELL

1967: Born November 7, Glasgow

Hometown: Hayling Island, Hampshire

Height: 6ft 7in

Weight: 20st 7lbs

Higher Education: Falmouth College - Boat Building

World Ranking: sixth (with Ian Walker)

1977: Began competing

1995: Europeans, Cowes - Etchells 22, first place; Nationals, Scotland - Etchells 22, first place.

1996: World Championships, Finland - 5.5cm, first place; World Championships, Cowes - Etchells 22, first place.

1997: World Championships, Miami - 5.5cm, first place.

1998: World Championships, Cowes - 5.5cm, first place. World Championships, Portoroz, Slovenia - Sails Open Star with Ian Walker, 18th place.

1999: World Championships, Melbourne - Sails Open Star with Ian Walker, seventh place.

2000: World Championships, Annapolis - Sails Open Star with Ian Walker, fifth place.

September 30 - Sydney Olympics - Captures silver medal with Ian Walker in Open Star.

IAN WALKER

1970: Born February 25, Worcester.

Hometown: Sevenoaks, England

Height: 5ft 9in

Weight: 11st 7lbs

Higher Education: Cambridge University - Geography

Club: Itchenor Sailing Club.

1980: Began competing.

1994: ISAF World Championships, La Rochelle - Men's 470, first place.

1995: European Championships, Sweden - Men's 470, first place.

1996: Olympic Games, Atlanta - Men's 470, second place.

1997: Admirals Cup, Cowes - first place; Men's 470, Tel Aviv - Sails with John Merricks, 12th place; Open 49er, Perth - Sails with Tim Robinson, eighth place.

1998: Open 49er, Bandol - Sails with Tim Robinson, eighth place; World Championships, Portoroz, Slovenia - Sails Open Star with Mark Covell, 18th place.

1999: World Championships, Melbourne - Sails Open Star with Mark Covell, seventh place; Sails Open 49er Tim Robinson, 14th place; World Championships, Punta Ala, Italy - Open Star, seventh place; Medemblik, Spa Regatta - Open Star, eighth place; Kiel Week, Germany - Open Star, 17th place.

2000: World Championships, Annapolis - Sails Open Star with Mark Covell, fifth place;

September 30 - Sydney Olympics - Captures silver medal with Mark Covell in Open Star.