#trofeosofia – Two Irish Olympic sailing campaigns are in action in this morning's medal races at the Trofeo Sofia in Palma, Spain. Laser Radial star Annalise Murphy and 49er skiff duo Ryan Seaton and Matt McGovern will both contest the medal races. Each team can improve its overall position but neither can win.
In the Laser Radial class, Belgium's Evi van Acker has secured Gold before the medal race with a 26–points lead over early leader Alison Young. The World #2 has collected a near to perfect score in the final stage with five wins and a second place.
"Of course I'm very happy with the races in the gold fleet. I had a rough start of the regatta but I was able to press the reset button and start over in the finals. Today was more difficult with less wind and big waves. I made two nice comebacks so I am very happy." explains van Acker. "The goals for this year are to qualify and perform at my best at the test event in Rio this summer and at the Worlds later this year!" The two remaining medals will be coveted by the next five sailors including Annalise who lies fourth overall after what she described as a 'less than stellar day' yesterday counting a 26 and 36 in races nine and ten in lighter sea breezes.
Two wins for German 49ers Heil and Ploessel might not be enough to overtake the superfast kiwis on the medal race today. The Germans could take an edge on NZ's Burling and Tuke today by securing good start and maximising on their upwind, knowing that the kiwis are the fastest downwind. In any case Gold and Silver go to these top two teams.Belfast's Seaton/McGovern take the last medal race place in tenth overall.
