Murphy’s Olympic ticket assured

ANNALISE MURPHY yesterday secured Olympic qualification at the ISAF Sailing World Championships.

Murphy, competing in the Laser Radial discipline, finished second overall yesterday as the 102 strong fleet split into gold and silver fleets. However, the Irish Sailing Association last night confirmed that it is now impossible for her to fall outside the top 29 seeking qualification in this category and her place at the London Games is assured.

ISA Performance Director, James O’Callaghan said “it is fantastic for Annalise to have achieved qualification so early in the regatta”.

Murphy’s rapid speed downwind coupled with her high level of strength and fitness, underpinned her strong performance. Her first race was a battling display after being knocked out of position on the start line but she came back progressively, picking off boat by boat to finish second behind Scotland’s Charlotte Dobson.

Victory in the second was set from the start gun. The Irish helm was more aggressive in protecting her lane and had the best opening few minutes in the fleet.

A change in the wind direction at the start of the third race disadvantaged her and those on the left end of the start line, but again she fought back making steady gains for her fourth place.

The qualifying half of the regatta is over with the fleet splitting after five races into top and second tier but Murphy should have nothing to fear in amongst the big names and reputations.

In the 470 fleet Ireland’s Ger Owen and Scott Flanigan make the gold fleet in 29th overall but had a disappointing day with a 29th, 13th and 18th.