Skip to content
Ireland's Annalise Murphy celebrates crossing the line in first position in the first of two races yesterday. INPHO/Morgan Treacy

Plain sailing as Annalise Murphy seals fourth win on the trot in Weymouth

‘It can’t get much better than this’, says the 22-year-old who must still navigate six races in the Women’s Laser Radial.

Updated: 17.10pm

IRELAND’S ANNALISE MURPHY made it a sensational four wins out of four as she stayed on track for sailing gold in Weymouth today.

The Dubliner came home 30 seconds ahead of Team GB’s Alison Young in second and China’s Lijia Xu.

Earlier, the 22-year-old won the third race in the Women’s Laser Radial by eight seconds earlier ahead of Young and third-place Evi Van Acker of Belgium. This afternoon’s victory in race four cements her spot at the top of the overall standings.

Once back on dry land, Murphy said:  ”It can’t get much better than winning the first four races but there’s still six fleet races left so it’s going to be really tough.

“All of the girls are really good and I think I’ve had a bit of luck and things have gone my way but that doesn’t always happen in sailing.
“I definitely enjoy it when it’s windy. It’s the condition I love. I’m prepared for whatever I get, but yeah, I’ve enjoyed the last two days racing.”

Earlier, Ryan Seaton and Matt McGovern took second in their fourth outing of the Men’s 49er, behind the USA’s pairing of Erik Storck and Trevor Moore. They’re now in sixth in the general clasification.  Peter O’Leary and David Burrows, meanwhile, were 12th in their sixth race in the Star class and lie 9th overall.

James Espey later came in down the fleet in 39th in the third race of the Men’s Laser.

Explainer: How do the Olympic sailing contests work

Sport is cruel: Illness forces Grainne Murphy out of 800m freestyle

Close
21 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Conor Conneally
    Favourite Conor Conneally
    Report
    Jul 31st 2012, 1:30 PM

    The best Irish Woman Sailor since Grace O’ Malley

    203
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute gary power
    Favourite gary power
    Report
    Jul 31st 2012, 2:02 PM

    Hah good one don’t think many people will get that one

    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gerard
    Favourite Gerard
    Report
    Jul 31st 2012, 2:02 PM

    I wonder is she any good at the aul piracy like grace was??

    39
    See 2 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Patrick Minford
    Favourite Patrick Minford
    Report
    Jul 31st 2012, 4:35 PM

    In 1593, Grace had a personal interview with Queen Elizabeth, where she secured the release of her son and her brother from prison, and received a pardon in exchange for a promise to help guard against Spanish armada ships off the coast of Ireland

    Maybe Annalise will meet the present Queen Elizabeth

    34
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John O'Neill
    Favourite John O'Neill
    Report
    Jul 31st 2012, 9:54 PM

    She says she sails better the windier it is…. According to the British Met Office there’s lots of that to come, so let’s all pray for bad weather for once.

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mary Kavanagh
    Favourite Mary Kavanagh
    Report
    Jul 31st 2012, 1:33 PM

    Well done to Annalise. Fantastic!! You go for it, girl!
    A word to the wise at the Journal – Annalise seems to be on track for “sailing golf”?! Would that make it into the Olympics I wonder?:)

    59
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute SeanNorris
    Favourite SeanNorris
    Report
    Jul 31st 2012, 4:50 PM

    By all accounts windy weather suits her sailing style and the forecast for Weymouth for the next few days is exactly that. So maybe this bad summer is n’t so bad after all!

    47
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Martin Sinnott
    Favourite Martin Sinnott
    Report
    Jul 31st 2012, 1:50 PM

    Keep our fingers crossed

    39
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute kevin heffernan
    Favourite kevin heffernan
    Report
    Jul 31st 2012, 2:32 PM

    She is currently 25metres ahead in the 4th race, great to see her doing so well against top quality oposition.

    34
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Stevie Howlin
    Favourite Stevie Howlin
    Report
    Jul 31st 2012, 3:21 PM

    She’s just won the fourth race, way to go Annalise!

    38
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Bilbo Baggins
    Favourite Bilbo Baggins
    Report
    Jul 31st 2012, 3:59 PM

    mad setup isn’t it, does that mean she could win ten races and be unlucky enough not to medal in the last?..
    Really hope she keeps it up!!

    29
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Robert McGuinness
    Favourite Robert McGuinness
    Report
    Aug 1st 2012, 10:42 AM

    If someone were to win all 10 races they would be on 10 points going into the final. The nearest competitor would then be on at least 20 points, thus the winner of 10 races would only have to finish sixth in the final to gaurentee a (tied) gold medal with a 22-point tally. (Double points in medal race)

    Also, Annalise has no such perfect 2nd-placing rival.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mark Finlay
    Favourite Mark Finlay
    Report
    Jul 31st 2012, 2:36 PM

    Way ahead in the 4th race. Some performance. Looks like it could be 4 out of 4 and odds on for a medal.

    33
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Robert Wilkes
    Favourite Robert Wilkes
    Report
    Jul 31st 2012, 4:43 PM

    Just to clarify: in the last “medal” race the winner scores two points and the last, tenth sailor scores 20. Therefore a sailor with a 19 point lead before that race cannot be beaten unless disqualified. This situation is rare but so are four firsts in four races!

    29
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Peadar Cleary
    Favourite Peadar Cleary
    Report
    Jul 31st 2012, 1:44 PM

    3 wins outta 3. Surely their cant be much left?

    28
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jennine Kenna
    Favourite Jennine Kenna
    Report
    Jul 31st 2012, 1:57 PM

    Ten races and then top ten into medal race.

    31
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jennine Kenna
    Favourite Jennine Kenna
    Report
    Jul 31st 2012, 1:58 PM

    Ten races altogether so 7 left, and then top ten into medal race.

    27
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Bilbo Baggins
    Favourite Bilbo Baggins
    Report
    Jul 31st 2012, 5:26 PM

    Cheers for the explanation, maybe I shouldn’t be so lazy and read the ‘how sailing works’ story ;)

    22
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Barry Basstard
    Favourite Barry Basstard
    Report
    Jul 31st 2012, 7:20 PM

    Well done well done well done well done!!!!!!!!!!!absolutely fanbloodytastic!!!
    Really really proud of you Anna!

    21
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mike Murph
    Favourite Mike Murph
    Report
    Aug 1st 2012, 9:14 AM

    Four wins out of four, wonderful! But can we, the plain people of Eire invest emotionally? Remember how Waterford Crystal let us all down? That horse put winning above all else. I hope Annalise’s laser is of a higher moral fibre(glass.)

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute mrnobody
    Favourite mrnobody
    Report
    Jul 31st 2012, 5:25 PM

    Annalise lol

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.