Ireland’s fortunes could hardly have been more mixed in the two Laser single-handed classes on the opening day of the ISAF Sailing World Championships in Santander yesterday, as the hunt for a place at Rio 2016 heats up.

Just over a year after Dun Laoghaire’s Annalise Murphy spectacularly missed winning a medal at the London 2012 Olympics, she sailed in from her home waters to rapturous applause at the National Yacht Club as the new European champion for her Laser Radial class.

There was no doubting Annalise Murphy’s form yesterday as the National Yacht Club sailor clicked off two race wins in her qualification flight at the Laser European Championships on Dublin Bay.

Less than a year after the London 2012 Olympic Games, the Irish Sailing Association yesterday announced a title sponsor for the high-performance squad currently preparing for the next Olympiad in Rio de Janeiro.

Strangford Lough sailor Robbie Gilmore held his series long form at the ISA Youth Nationals on Lough Derg yesterday to win the Laser Radial class despite a late run from the defending champion.

An hour before Katie Taylor edged closer to an Olympic dream in the Excel Arena, another Irish woman’s medal hopes were blown out over 144 miles away.

The absence of yachts from Dublin Bay on a bank holiday Monday in August was the first sign that it was no ordinary day for Ireland’s sailing community.

More than 6,000 boxing fans lined Bray seafront to see local girl Katie Taylor secure a bronze at the Olympics.

By Joe Finegan

Ireland’s second ever medal at the Youth Sailing World Championships could be won this afternoon on home waters when Ben Lynch races in the Laser Radial Boys’ class at midday.

Yesterday’s forecast of strong and gusting winds on Dublin Bay came good for the 350 competitors in the Four Star Pizza Youth World Sailing Championships — just as racing ended for the day.

Dutch entry Tonnerre de Breskens, owned by Piet Vroon, continued its foray into Irish waters this week by opening class zero at Cork Week with two emphatic race wins.

Patrick Crosbie and Grattan Roberts sealed their place in the Irish Sailing Association squad for this Summer’s ISAF Youth World Championships, sponsored by Four Star Pizza, after they placed best of the home fleet in the 420 class national championship at the weekend.

Irish sailor, Annalise Murphy, has given her chances of qualifying for next year’s Olympics a major boost after moving up to second overall in the Laser Radial class at the World Sailing Championships in Perth, Australia.

CORK WEEK chairman Peter Deasy said he is pleased with the level of support for the bi-annual regatta and is also looking forward to welcoming more yachts and crew in July.

Stefan Hyde showed a light touch to win ISA All-Ireland Sailing Championship 2007 on Dublin Bay this afternoon.

All the children involved in the National Yacht Club junior regatta at Dun Laoghaire have been accounted for after more than 90 boats were capsized by a sudden squall.

A major sea rescue operation is under way off the County Dublin coast after 110 children involved in a junior regatta were swept into the sea.

BRITISH husband and wife team, Barry and Sue Parkin, are the new Subaru Flying Fifteen World Champions, after an unbelievably close finish to the five-race series at Dun Laoghaire over the weekend.