SAILING:WHEN ANNALISE Murphy goes afloat off Weymouth this morning she'll be launching the next phase of her London Olympic dream.
Today’s event is the dry run of the Olympic regatta itself, a test event in which Irish officials claim Murphy is a medal contender.
Ireland is fielding six teams and at least three – including the 21-year old science student – look certain for Olympic berths next year if nation qualification can be secured in Perth in December.
After a season of success for Murphy, Peter O’Leary and David Burrows in the Star keelboat and Ryan Seaton and Matt McGovern in the 49er dinghy, the hope is these medal results can be repeated in the smaller fleets of the Olympic test event itself, where only one boat per country is competing.
Ireland is also represented in Weymouth this morning by double Olympian Ger Owens and Scott Flannigan in the 470 dinghy, Ross Hamilton in the Finn and James Espey in the Laser.
Murphy’s progression in the Laser Radial single-handed women’s class, in particular, is arguably the most impressive. An eighth place at the Laser Radial Worlds in 2009 preceded a successful period on the Australian circuit with a subsequent progression into the world’s top 10.
In her last two World Cup regattas the National Yacht Club sailor has finished 15 times in the top 10 and has won 10 races. Her win rate at the Skandia Sail for Gold regatta in June on the Olympic course was matched only by Britain’s multiple medallist Ben Ainslie. Inconsistency prevented her from taking first place in both events.
Today can mark another important point if the Dún Laoghaire heavy-weather specialist can take advantage of the strong winds forecast for the Dorset coast.
In offshore news, the Northern Ireland entry Derry Londonderry continues to nibble away at Visit Finland’s lead in the Clipper round the World race. Yesterday it took another four miles from the leaders. The light conditions gave way to winds of 30 knots and more with poor visibility and driving rain – all of which means seasickness is also affecting some of the crew for the first time in the race.
Derry-Londonderry’s skipper Mark Light said: “Biscay hasn’t been too kind to us, but then again she hasn’t released all her full fury either. Life is at 35 degrees, visibility is poor and we’re dodging shipping in the area.”
Glenageary junior Adam Hyland leads Irish hopes at the German Optimist National championships, he is in 10th place overall.
