Sport

Rio 2016: Annalise Murphy moves into top spot as going gets rough

Irish sailor will start Friday’s races with gold on her sails

Annalise Murphy of Ireland in action during Wednesday’s Laser Radials races at the Marina da Gloria in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Photograph: Clive Mason/Getty Images
David Brannigan in Rio
Wed Aug 10 2016 - 22:30

In a thrilling day under dark and stormy skies, Annalise Murphy took over the lead in the women's single-handed event off the famous Copacabana Beach at Rio.

Having started her 10-race qualification series on Monday, the Dubliner has progressed steadily up the leaderboard, and for the last two days changing the medal colour on her sails from bronze to silver.

Her next two races on Friday will have gold on her sails and firmly in her sights for Monday’s medal race.

The open ocean conditions were in stark contrast to the opening two days sailed on different courses inside the relative shelter of Guanabara Bay, with swell height at times reaching four metres and winds gusting to over 20 knots.

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Nevertheless, Murphy’s goal of consistent top results was maintained and she returned to shore with a fifth and a second place for the day of fast sailing.

Those results propelled her into first overall while the previous incumbent, China’s Lijia Xu, who won gold at London 2012, had an eighth and a 12th, dropping her to fourth overall.

“It was really tough, really tiring but a lot of fun,” said a happy but tired Murphy after coming ashore. Today’s reserve day now functions as a well earned rest-day for the fleet.

“I’m really happy with my consistency but I’m not really thinking too far ahead. I was in this position in London with a pretty consistent series as well and I ended up fourth,” she said. “I’m taking one race at a time and not getting too stressed out about results as I know you’re only as good as your last race.”

Meanwhile, Ireland's other single-hander Finn Lynch from Carlow had a mixed day that saw him inside the top 10 of his 46-boat fleet of Laser standard rigs for the men's event.

His first race saw him in eighth place but he then fell victim to the conditions.

“I knew the right (handside of the course) was going to work so I shot to that side and two tacks upwind and I was quick,” he said. “I’m sailing quite low and fast but unfortunately I capsized on that first run (downwind leg) so I lost quite a few places.”

Lynch is in 24th overall with racing due to resume on Friday and on Saturday before Monday’s medal races. Ireland’s men’s and women’s skiff sailors begin their qualification round on Thursday.