SAILING:ANNALISE MURPHY leads the international Laser Radial fleet this morning at the Delta Lloyd regatta in Holland. The move from sixth to first overall after five races came yesterday after a sensational fifth race win in 30-knot winds at Medemblik, Holland.
Shortly after the National Yacht Club sailor crossed the line racing was abandoned due to the strong winds on the Ijsslemeer.
The entire Olympic class fleet, totalling 900 boats in 11 classes, were ordered back to harbour, only the Laser Radial fleet managed to finish racing.
The important victory, her second race win of the series, moves her up to the top of the rankings, a rare sight for Ireland at an ISAF World Cup event, widely regarded as a pre-Olympic indicator.
Although Ireland are fielding a squad of 13 boats in Holland, the main focus is on the Irish Star keelboat Olympic selection that started in Medemblik.
After four races sailed Peter O’Leary and David Burrows widened their winning margin after their only rivals, Max Treacy and Anthony Shanks, sustained penalty points for a premature start in Wednesday’s third race.
O’Leary of Royal Cork is now seventh on 37 points and Treacy of Royal St George 16th on 60 points in a 23-boat fleet.
Ryan Seaton and Matthew McGovern are 12th overall in the 49er dinghy.
Ed Butler and Ben Lynch are in 36th place after counting a black flag disqualification in the 39-boat fleet.
In the 470 men’s fleet double Olympian Ger Owens, crewed by new crew Scott Flannigan, has jumped 12 places from a lowly 61st to 49th in a fleet of 68.
Top Irish boat is Rob Lehane and Tom Mapplebeck in 48th place.
Barry McCartin and Thomas Chaix are now 53rd.
James Espey in 42nd place leads Irish hopes in the Laser class where Chris Penney, Chris Russell and Ronan Cull are also competing in a 123-boat fleet.
In the men’s heavy weight Finn dinghy, Ross Hamilton is 42nd in a 66-boat fleet.
In sports boat news, an Irish crew led by an Australian Olympic gold medallist took third overall at last weekend’s USA-based Melges 24 World Championships.
Nathan Wilmott steered Conor Clarke’s Embarr to an impressive result after a mammoth series in Corpus Christi, Texas. As well as Clarke, the Irish crew onboard were Maurice O’Connell, Maeve Judge and Dave Hughes.
Closer to home, Royal Cork Yacht Club SB3 trio Mel Collins, Kieran Dorgan and Killian Collins just missed out on a top-10 finish at a 103-boat World Championships in Torbay, England. The event was attended by 11 Irish boats.
Elsewhere, Royal Cork has announced a special craneage deal for keelboat competitors heading for next month’s Irish Cruiser Racer (ICRA) National Championships of €100 per boat to cover lift in and out of the water for the regatta.
Mast stepping is also included, if required; it’s a significant incentive to those considering trailing to Cork, where access to the water is otherwise restricted at Royal Cork.
There is disappointing news that due to lack of sponsorship there will be no Irish entry when the La Solitaire du Figaro fleet sails into Dún Laoghaire in August.
Before Christmas – and against a tight deadline – two Irish solo sailors were entered but neither campaign has come to fruition.
