Irish sailors in contention for World Cup gold medal

Irish Olympic sailors Ryan Seaton and Matt McGovern from Providence Team IRL are in contention for a medal at the final day of the French ISAF World Cup regatta tomorrow, 26 April.

The duo, who sail in the 49er class, finished five days of fleet racing this afternoon in 3rd place overall.

Irish sailors Ryan Seaton and Matt McGovern in contention for medals on the final day of the French ISAF World Cup regatta @ISA_Performance

— Liam Costello (@liamc0stello) April 25, 2014

Of the 80 teams competing, only the top 10 will now sail a further three races on Saturday - each worth double points - to determine the coveted podium places.

23 points separate Seaton and McGovern from leaders Peter Burling and Blair Tuke from New Zealand putting that gold medal within reach.

Annalise Murphy will also be competing in a medal race tomorrow. The Laser Radial class will only have one double points race before the gold, silver and bronze are awarded. Murphy is currently lying in 8th place but separated from the top three by 36 points.

@Annalise_Murphy has finished 8th overall and will sail in the #2014SWC medal race tomorrow but she's 36 points behind Bouwmeester in 3rd

— Irish Sailing Performance (@ISA_Performance) April 25, 2014

Three other Irish teams finished racing today.

In the Paralympic Sonar class John Twomey, Ian Costelloe and Austin O'Carroll finished in 7th place overall. Andrea Brewster and Saskia Tidey finished a respectable 16th out of 42 boats. All the more impressive considering it's only their third regatta as a pairing. James Espey was sailing in the men’s Laser Standard fleet of 123 and finished 71st.