Australian sailing team quits Olympic bid

SYDNEY (AP) -Australia's highest-ranked female match-racing sailors have decided they won't compete at the Olympics.

Former world champion skipper Nicky Souter teamed with Katie Spithill - sister of America's Cup sailor James Spithill - and Jessica Eastwell in September. They finished fifth at the world championships in Perth in December, ensuring Australia qualified for London in that event.

The trio issued a statement on Friday announcing their decision, citing lack of preparation - "we do not believe the new combination can develop its obvious potential sufficiently in the short time remaining.''

The London Olympics will be the first to feature match racing in which two teams compete against each other in six-meter Elliott keelboats over a short course.