Hello and welcome aboard this week’s edition of Seascapes your maritime programme .......glad to be back this week after our break during the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro we salute the Irish competitors who participated and congratulate our medal winners and wish our Paralympians every success , writer and broadcaster Hugh Oram relates the tale of how The Celtic Sea came by its name ; we have the results of our Seascapes competition and the winners of those copies of “ Shackleton’s South” as retold by John MacKenna in a Real Reads edition ; first this week to the recent Swim Ireland event at Coosan Point in Athlone ––Ron Coveney and Laura Hannon went along for Seascapes .......... let’s hear first from Mary McMorrow, Operations Manager of Swim Ireland as the National 5 and 10k Championships and Swim for A Mile all part of Waterfest began at the start line..........

Mary McMorrow, Operations Manager, Swim Ireland we can hear next from Marathon Swimmer Steven Miller...

Next to Charlie Lawn at Waterfest, Charlie is Inspector of Navigation with Waterways Ireland...

From Charlie Lawn to some of the winners of the National 5K Championship as Laura Hannon and Ron Coveney greeted them at the finish line at Coosan Point in Athlone....they talked to Adrian Cosgrove of Ennis ; Jordan Sexton of St Fiaccs the National 5K Champion but first to Amy Wolfe of Sandycove Island who was 1st across the line in the Senior Female (wetsuit) in the National 5K Championships..
A final word from Waterfest in Athlone with Kevin Clabby who is Chairman of Inland Waterways Association of Ireland.

The Athlone River Festival and Food Village takes place in the Shannonside town from the Friday 9th of September to Sunday 11th more details on the Waterways Ireland webpage and on the Seascapes webpage....
With all the coverage of the remarkable feat in the lightweight double sculls by the O'Donovan brothers Gary and Paul and the jubilation felt by all involved in Irish rowing circles throughout this island I was drawn to a piece by Alex Clark who wrote in last weekend’s Observer........

“ They do things differently in Skibbereen, as Gary and Paul O Donovan, Ireland’s first –ever rowing medal winners, demonstrated in their post-victory interviews. “

“The lightweight double scullers thrilled as they might have been, were not about to go overboard; rather they explained in Cork’s distinctive sing-song accent they had “done some Nutella, done the podium thing and peed in a cup”
“Back home, the duo rather wistfully explained on Irish (national) broadcaster Raidio Telefis Eireann, “its mad excitement altogether “and Skibbereen was “after closing everything down and having a national holiday and we’re missing it all.” Clark writes “Don’t worry lads: the ‘craic’ will still be ninety when you get home.”

In sailing, Annalise Murphy secured her silver medal after almost a decade of constant training and perseverance and her victory was celebrated in Dun Laoghaire and at her home sailing club The National Yacht Club in Dun Laoghaire , she is now hotly tipped to take on the Moth for Tokyo in four years time. Congratulations also go to the entire Irish sailing squad

Finn Lynch (20) from Carlow and also a National YC sailor was the youngest ever Olympic helm to represent Ireland as well as being the youngest in his 46-strong class. He achieved several notable performances during his ten-race series at Rio including several top 20 results. In an event where the average age of the top ten finishers is 30, he has proven his ability with an Olympic experience under his belt and is certain to be a prospect for Tokyo 2020.
Andrea Brewster and Saskia Tidey from the Royal Irish YC started their campaign together exactly three years ago and sailed the 49erFX class for the new Women’s Skiff event at Rio. Overcoming a three-month injury hiatus to their campaign, they qualified Ireland for the event earlier this year and their form improved steadily in the build-up to the Olympics. Over their 12 race series, they achieved five top ten results and ended their debut Olympic Games in 12th place overall.
Ryan Seaton and Matt McGovern, from Carrickfergus Sailing Club, Ballyholme YC & Royal Ulster YC were the last of the six Irish sailors into action on Guanabara Bay in the Men’s Skiff event Medal Race final. The London 2012 veterans improved on their performance from four years ago by qualifying for the final to place tenth overall. Their results included two race wins in which they beat the four times world champions and eventual Gold medal winners. This ensured they were within reach of the podium going in to the last day of fleet racing.

“This result proves that our strategy in high performance is working and is providing the success that all involved in sailing and sport crave,” commented David Lovegrove, President of the Irish Sailing Association. “I want to acknowledge the tremendous professionalism of our coaching staff who have demonstrated such passion and commitment to our sailors. In particular I want to commend James O’Callaghan’s leadership and guidance of high performance sailing, ably supported by Rory Fitzpatrick.”

“Annalise’s medal confirms the intent of our programme that both delivers the highest standard of performance but also makes a return to our domestic sport,” said James O’Callaghan, ISA Performance Director.
We wish all our Paralympians well in Rio particularly our Paralymic Sailing Team of John Twomey , Ian Costelloe and Austin O Carroll , this is Johns ‘ 11th consecutive games...fair winds...

As the clock counts down to the America’s Cup proper next year, the pressure is building week by week. Pressure for Sir Ben Ainslie’s team, Land Rover Ben Ainslie Racing ; also for the Defenders Oracle Team USA and indeed for all six teams as they fight for the bonus points that could increase their chances next year when the road to the America’s Cup kicks off.

Next to our recent Seascapes competition you may remember that we asked you to name the last vessel on which Sir Ernest Shackleton sailed before his untimely passing the answer as many of you correctly guessed was The Quest, so copies of “Shackletons South “ as retold by John MacKenna are going out to ...

*Kevin O'Halloran, Youghal, Co. Cork

*Marcelline Cody Roscrea Co Tipperary

*Tony O'Connor Malahide, Co. Dublin

A new statue is unveiled in Athy to Sir Ernest Shackleton this coming week and we’ll be there.......

Well from the World of exploration to our coastal waters and the Celtic Sea...........broadcaster and writer Hugh Oram on the how this body of water got its name.........
Hugh Oram and the origins of The Celtic Sea, Hugh’s latest book is a pictorial history of Sandymount, published by The History Press Ireland ...

“ On the sound desk this week Niall O’ Sullivan, next week here on your maritime programme Grainne McPolin heads for Fenit and Tralee Bay for Seascapes and profiles the crane company Liebherr who came to Tralee in 1958 and how the company has expanded , their shipping movements through Fenit and Tralee Bay ..........we’ll meet the Chief Executive Officer of Liebherr , Pat O ‘Leary ; retiree Max McCarthy ; Port Manager - Don O’ Herlihy ; Commodore and Vice Commodore of Tralee Bay Sailing Club Fiona Frawley and Gary Forte and Harbour Master - Batt McCarthy......and we’ll be at the unveiling of that new statue to Sir Ernest Shackleton in Athy .........until next Friday tight lines and fair sailing.”

On Thursday evening, sailing came centre stage in Irish life when our new Olympic Silver Medallist Annalise Murphy was officially welcomed back to her home port of Dun Laoghaire. She arrived by sea on a summer’s evening with flags flying in abundance for a public welcome by leading local and national politicians at the landing at the East Pier, followed by a Civic Reception by the County Council in the nearby People’s Park.

Then came the ultimate celebration - the home-coming party to outshine all parties - by Ireland’s sailing community. It was at her sailing home, the National Yacht Club, where she has been a member since she was six years old. There were more than 2,000 well-wishers from all over Ireland in the crowd packed into the clubhouse and onto its balcony and forecourt. Somewhere in the midst of them was Afloat.ie’s W M Nixon, savouring the flavour of an extraordinary gathering.

It’s not the first time that Dublin Bay Sailing Club has re-arranged its regular sailing programme in order to facilitate the return to Ireland of a sailing superstar. But having missed out on the previous one back on Saturday June 20th 1925, when Conor O’Brien returned to what he sensibly called Dunleary with his 42ft Saoirse after his pioneering two year voyage round the world south of the Great Capes, we weren’t going to miss Thursday August 25th 2016 at the National YC to welcome back Annalise Murphy with her Silver Medal.

Particularly not after Dublin Bay SC Commodore Chris Moore had announced some days previously that he was going to move the formerly completely sacrosanct Thursday evening cruiser-racing weekly fixture to Wednesday, in order to clear the decks for the Annalise welcome. That was one very clearcut statement.

But before we get carried away by the great doings of last Thursday night, let us admit that back in 1925 they could also lay on the razzmatazz big-time when they’d a mind to do so. O’Brien’s circumnavigation with the Saoirse was the first notable voyage by a vessel flying the tricolour ensign of the new Irish Free State. It was a mighty venture which pioneered the traversing of the great Southern Ocean in such spectacular style with so much popular interest that when he returned, it was to find that Dublin Bay SC had cancelled their regular Saturday race in his honour.

Conor O’Brien’s Saoirse departs Dun Laoghaire on 20th June 1923 on her round the world voyage south of the Great Capes. Whe she returned on Saturday June 20th 1925, Dublin Bay SC cancelled Saturday racing so that the fleet could give Saoirse a special welcome home
This was to enable their fleet - many colourfully dressed overall in their best signal flags – to welcome Saoirse into port. But when he finally got ashore, there was a ceremonial procession all the way into Dublin watched by notable crowds, followed by a Gala Dinner at the United Arts Club of which he, as an architect and brother of the artist Dermod O’Brien, had been a founder member.

These days, the fact that Dun Laoghaire is so vigorously the capital of Irish sailing, and so much of an urban centre in its own right, makes the notion of moving on into Dublin for the focus of any home-coming celebration of a seaborn achiever seem absurd. Despite the sometimes fractious interfaces which arise between the various bodies involved with the harbour, the fact is that Dun Laoghaire is gradually developing the facilities of a major leisure port. Thus it has absolutely everything you need within the waterfront/harbour area for a series of events like Thursday’s complex programme, which for total devotees started around 5.30pm and was still going strong at midnight.

Flags and more flags – the Silver Medallist makes her return to Dun Laoghaire
The quayside welcome

The only extra that had been required beforehand was co-operation from the weather, and even that was forthcoming despite this poor summer. We’d a clear gentle evening when in theory you could move comfortably between indoors and out. But the reality was the crowd was on such a scale (I’d reckon there were many more than 2,000) that once you found a comfortable berth, you stayed put, and just enjoyed it all as proceedings unfolded.

Admittedly when you’re celebrating success at this level after a 36 year drought since the previous Irish Olympic sailing medal, any critical faculties will be decidedly muted, but everyone in my area agreed the whole programme went very well indeed. The waterborne parade in the harbour – choreographed by Dun Laoghaire lifeboat cox’n and RIYC Marine Manager Mark McGibney – went with such style you assumed it had been rehearsed, but apparently it hadn’t. Equally there was no chance of any rehearsal for the succession of shoreside events but they all held together, and the final intensive presentation in the National YC forecourt as night drew on was pure magic, rounded out by a fireworks display.

And this was only part of the crowd on the forecourt…
The word is that somewhere in the background pulling the strings was Mr Fixit, Irish sailing’s invisible man Brian Craig, who is our greatest practitioner of the secret art of doing good work by stealth. Glimpsed in the crowd a couple of times, he didn’t look like someone who had the organisational problems of a major event on his shoulders. But then, he always looks like that.

Another rising star is Annalise’s brother Finn Murphy, who is so up to speed with the latest technology that he’s inventing it as he goes along. Naturally, as the public face of the National Yacht Club, Commodore Larry Power expressed concern that everything would be okay in the very hectic few days of buildup. But Finn simply told him not to worry, it would be all right on the night, and so it was.

Irish sailing did itself proud for an attendance which included 1956 Olympic Gold Medallist Ronnie Delany, Silver Medallist Sonia O’Sullivan, and our own David Wilkins who won the Silver in the Flying Dutchman in 1980. But perhaps the most memorable thing about the evening was the universality of the event. Club sailors from all over felt the urge to join with the National Yacht Club in marking this historic high in its busy life, and the mutual goodwill was tangible in the gathering dusk among the friendly crowd.

Of course, nobody denies that getting within shouting distance of a first Silver Medal is bound to involved stressful episodes, but those were receding into the forgotten past by the time Annalise and her support team got themselves on stage. She’d last made an official appearance at that pre-Olympics press conference in Dublin on Tuesday July 26th, when (see recent blog) it was quite clear that the new-look Annalise Murphy was very different from the frustrated sailor whose campaign had lost its way at the Worlds on May 20th.

But here we now were, only three months after that low point in late May, and only thirty days since that re-born vision on July 26th. Here we were, gazing in some wonder at a real live Silver Medallist, one who had controlled the final Medals Race with such competent and confident style that she moved from merely hanging onto to her Bronze Medal into a clearcut Silver Medal win.

Some thoughtful words from Rory Fitzpatrick. From left on stage are Kate Kirby (sports psychologist), Annalise’s mother Cathy MacAleavy, Rory Fitzparick, Larry Power (Commodore NYC), Finn Murphy, Annalise with her sister Claudine beyond, and on right (with red top) Sara Winther with Con Murphy and Colm Barrington beyond

It was something which deserved celebration for everyone involved, and it was a very inclusive gathering. For an Irish sailing crowd, it seemed the most natural thing in the world that the returning Murphy family and support team should have come home from Rio bringing with them the New Zealand sailor Sarah Winther. She’d failed by one place at the Worlds to secure the New Zealand qualifying position for the Olympics, such that New Zealand didn’t send a representative in the Women’s Laser Radials at all. So the frustrated Winther then reckoned her talents might be of some use to her friend Annalise Murphy, and as she’s a natural coach and perfect training partner, she brought to Annalise and her coach Rory Fitzpatrick a new dimension for the final countdown, which made a significant difference.

So while Annalise was made an Honorary Life Member of the NYC at Thursday’s gathering, Sara Winther – who’s still a bit surprised to find herself having an unexpected holiday in Ireland in the first place – became an Honorary Foreign Member, which will have heraldry experts scratching their heads, but we all know what it means.

The Silver Medallist speaks from the heart

Every speech was right on target, with charming turns from Annalise and her family, a particularly good one from Rory Fitzpatrick, and a well-judged and encouraging one from Colm Barrington about where the Irish Olympic sailing effort can hope to go from here.

We’ll soon have the time and space to analyse them in detail, and having seen how much the extra effort Annalise Murphy put into getting to know the tricky sailing waters of Rio beforehand, and how much it contributed to her success, we’ve already been looking at the little Japanese island resort of Enoshima south of Tokyo where the 2020 Olympics will be held.

The little resort island of Enoshima on Sagamai Bay south of Tokyo is the venue for the 2020 Olympics. And yes, that is Mount Fuji in the distance

But as the Annalise Murphy success has in its way contributed a textbook of how to put together and Olympic campaign and then bring it back on course when things go astray, we can be quite sure that all over the world, other people will be studying just how Ireland won this particular silver.

And as for repeating strategies which were successful in Rio, we have to remember that Japan is very different from Brazil. In Rio the Olympic authorities may not have objected to the fact that Annalise and her team preferred to set up their own base away from the barely-finished Olympic village, in an apartment convenient to the sailing area, and with facilities where they could control their food. But in the more disciplined world of Japan, it mightn’t be allowed.

However, that’s another day’s work. Let us conclude on another note entirely. In the many vox pop interviews on the media, people have been enthusing about what a marvellous role model and inspiration Annalise Murphy has become for Ireland’s young sailors. But surely that’s only partially true? Here at Sailing on Saturdays HQ, we reckon Annalise Murphy has become a marvellous role model and inspiration for all Ireland’s sailors.

Annalise's homecoming photo gallery by Joe Fallon

While Irish Sailing is rightfully basking in the reflected glory of last night's homecoming celebrations for Annalise Murphy and its Olympic Sailing Team there will also be one eye to the future, considering how to turn the positive Rio results into tangible benefits for the development of sailing in Ireland, not just in High Performance, but across every aspect of the sport.

There is no doubt that, in the modern sports world, medals mean money. An analysis of Sports funding in many developed countries shows that successful sports benefit from good results at World Championships and major Games.

In Atlanta in 1996, Britain finished 26th in the medal table (Ireland was 16th – entirely due to Michelle Smith) with a total of 15 medals from six sports. The improvement over the five intervening Olympiads to the 67 medals from 22 sports in Rio, is due to a variety of things, but perhaps most of all to the increased investment in sport aided by the introduction of the National Lottery. Sports with a plan, that medalled in Atlanta, benefitted the most, while the ones that lagged behind were given a boost by the increased investment occasioned by being the host nation for the 2012 games.

Sailing in the UK received £25.5m in the Rio Olympic cycle, the fourth highest funded sport after Athletics, Swimming and Cycling. Sailing in Ireland received €2.545m in High Performance funding, third place after Boxing and Athletics (figures exclude paralympic sports). It might also be argued that Ireland did better in terms of the cost per medal – the Irish Sailing silver medal cost €2.545m, while Britain's 3 sailing medals cost £8.5m each.

David O'Brien reports in the Irish Times that as Sport Ireland looks to fund the Tokyo 2020 squad, there is no doubt that Sailing and Rowing will enter the negotiations with the considerable clout that medals bring, but there will be a more forensic analysis of what led to success and whether the sport has a pipeline that will lead to sustainability of results on the international stage.

The ISA will be able to point to the potential shown in Rio as well as an impressive track record by ISA academy members at Youth Sailing Worlds and World and European Championships. There have been many significant results, not least World Youth Sailing bronze in the 420 in January and as recently as July, World Youth Silver in the Laser Radial.  

Also under scrutiny, particularly in light of recent developments, will be whether the sport has robust governance, ensuring fairness and transparency, as well as a willingness to engage with the Irish Institute of Sport, an arm of Sport Ireland that played a leading role in the success in Rio. Irish Sailing passes these test as well, putting it in a very strong position to negotiate vigorously, not only for High Performance, but also for investment into the grassroots of the sport.

Click for more on last night's spectacular Olympic homecoming celebration on Afloat.ie

A flotilla of yachts and powerboats lead by Dun Laoghaire's RNLI Lifeboat welcomed Olympic silver medallist Annalise Murphy back to her home port of Dun Laoghaire on Dublin Bay this evening.

After the Dublin sailing star stepped ashore at a crowded section of the East Pier, the 26–year–old double Olympian was officially greeted by Transport, Tourism and Sport Minister Shane Ross, Dun Laoghaire's own Minister for Jobs Mary Mitchell O'Connor and Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Cathaoirleach Cormac Devlin.

Members of the Rio Olympic Sailing Team, Ryan Seaton and Matt McGovern, Andrea Brewster and Saskia Tidey along with Rio coaches James O'Callaghan and Rory Fitzpatrick accompanied Ireland's only sailing medal winner since 1980 to the near–by People's Park for a civic reception. The guest of honour said she was thrilled to have been given such a welcome home and hoped that her medal performance would inspire others to get involved in sailing.

Among the crowd waiting for her to step ashore were many sailors from Dun Laoghaire's four waterfront clubs but also from the network of over 100 sailing clubs across the country. Ireland's last Olympic medal winner David Wilkins, who won silver in 1980, was also there to greet Annalise.

Annalise Murphy is escorted into Dun Laoghaire

Minister Ross said 'I am delighted for Annalise, we all know how determined she was to bring home a medal, after coming so close four years ago this is a fantastic achievement for her. Bouncing back from the disappointment of finishing fourth in London 2012 to become European Champion in 2013 to now achieving a silver medal at the Olympics is a wonderful endorsement for what can be achieved through hard work and talent. She has been so determined and she is a fantastic role model for all young athletes'.

(Above and below) Annalise and her team mates arrive at the East Pier for a Civic Reception to honour the Olympic silver medal achievement in Rio. Photo: Afloat.ie

During the ceremony, the Cathaoirleach announced a new 'Annalise Murphy Sailing Bursary' of €5,000. The prize is a joint DLRCC / University College Dublin collaboration. It will be awarded annually to an outstanding young sailor who does not come from a 'traditional sailing background'. The bursary may be used to assist with third level education.

Dun Laoghaire sailors greeted the new Olympic silver medallist including this group from the Royal St. George with 1980 silver medal winner David Wilkins (pictured left) with Geoff O'Donoghue, Trevor Millar, Tamas Esze, Derek Jago, Louis Monks, Johnny Ross-Murphy and Gillian Wilkins Photo: Tony Brown

Annalise Murphy's National Yacht Club at Dun Laoghaire

The family homecoming event featured a Brazilian Samba band, a dancing troupe, DJ, face painting, flags, balloons, and a boat display as part of the Irish Sailing Association's 'Try Sailing' Campaign.

Well done @Annalise_Murphy who was welcomed home today with her silver medal by lots of Dun Laoghiare fans pic.twitter.com/57rtLcwDk2

— Concorde Travel (@ConcordeSailing) August 25, 2016

Annalise and other Olympic heroes from Dun Laoghaire borough were interviewed on stage. 

Annalise's welcome home party continued with a special reception at the National Yacht Club where she was made an honorary NYC life member by Commodore Larry Power. Photo gallery below by Joe Fallon.

Read also: Turning Rio Result Into Tangible Benefit for Sailing in Ireland

Sweet Rio-demption

A fourth place in her first Olympic campaign,
Left Annalise heartbroken, she couldn't hide the pain.
But our Irish Laser Radial Queen,
Immediately focused on twenty sixteen,
Brushed herself off and got back on her feet,
Showed the world she was more than that London defeat.

While the road to Rio wasn’t smoothly paved,
Murphy's passion and drive could not be waived.
Four years training in both sunshine and hail,
Perfecting her technique for the tricolour sail.

She started in Rio - a bullet in race one,
Irish hopes soared as her Olympic series begun.
Consistently staying in the top 3 all week,
Had us all on the edge of our tracker following seats.

Then it came to the final medal race day,
But bad weather postponed events in Guanamara Bay.
Murphy kept her cool for one more sleep,
While the nerves of her nation were all in a heap.

On Tuesday the light Rio sea breeze filled in,
allowing the Radial medal race to begin.
Three Olympic medals, five boats in the mix,
Murphy guaranteed Bronze with a finish ahead of boat six.

On the first leg Murphy magic began to spark,
Second place around the windward mark!

As Annalise sailed the course she made us even prouder,
Shouts at the TV back home got louder and louder.
Then she crossed the finish line with a big grin,
This time she'd done it - a silver medal win.

A 36 year medal drought in the bin,
Thanks to Annalise Murphy our Irish Sailing Olympian.

by Sharon Quigley

Speaking on Newstalk's Off The Ball radio programme last night Olympic silver medal winner Annalise Murphy explained the difference between now and the London Games was the amount of time she spent studying the course in Rio. The National Yacht Club sailor explained this gave her an advantage over competitors who hadn't been familiar with conditions in Guanabara Bay. She also says her memory for course configurations on the Bay also helped her enormously.

 "I'd come in from sailing and I'd draw out all the race courses, what was working and what wasn't. We did like a pros and cons of each of the courses, where you would get caught out and where we could make gains. Then, I printed them all off and laminated them to bring them all out. Everyday before racing we could go through each of the race courses and look at what was going to come up on the day. That's how I think I ended up with this medal."

A podcast of the radio show is on the Newstalk website here.

Annalise Murphy will be given a civic reception tomorrow in Dun Laoghaire. Details here.

The President of the governing body of International Sailing has spoken about the possibility of a foiling boat in the OIympic Sailing line–up for Tokyo 2020. In a far reaching interview with Scuttlebutt's Craig Lewick, World Sailing's Carlo Croce also says that sailing is one of six sports under review for the 2020 Games. It looks certain therefore that there will be changes in the sailing classes, something World Sailing, according to Croce, is hoping to keep to a minimum as the International Olympic Committee (IOC) looks for 'spectacular' events.

'I think in November we will be able to announce good news to the Council, but at the moment we’re still confidential because the IOC has not yet formally decided. Maybe kiteboard, maybe foiling boat… I don’t know. Perhaps an old hobby of mine – a long distance race with very simple and basic one design boats with no extreme equipment', Croce said.

The choice of a foiling boat, such as the Moth class, might be looked on favourably by Ireland as Olympic silver medalist Annalise Murphy, in the Laser Radial class, is also a keen foiling dinghy sailor. Annalise has already finished second in the Women's world Moth championships, a pioneering international foiling class with 15 boats sailing in Ireland.

'We decided to ask our members to vote for what we call the unlock vote, which meant we had to unlock the decision taken four years ago to keep the same Olympic events from the 2016 Games to the 2020 Games. We were pushed hard by the IOC to move forward to a more spectacular program, and they just give you – very quickly –  two figures: 10,500 athletes in Rio and in London. This is the number they don’t want to change. There will be five new sports in Tokyo and six current sports under review, not for pushing them out, but to look what they can do for improving, and sailing is amongst the six' said Croce.

Croce also told Scuttlebutt 'We could pick up one man and a girl and put them in an offshore boat… just a personal thought. I am completely convinced we’d find someone who can find provide the boats to the Olympics free of charge. It could also be a way for people competing in a dinghy class to also participate in the offshore race and compete for two medals, which our sport never had. That could be interesting'.

But nothing is decided. It’s not me who will decide; it will be the Council. Certainly there will be changes, but what I want to really say is we will do absolutely the minimum changes we can not to have people throwing away all of their boats and our member nations being in trouble. So the changes yes, but just the minimum we need to. Our member nations have to design a program of four years, so we need to be quick.

Read the full interview on Scuttlebutt here.

Annalise Murphy will be given a civic reception tomorrow in Dun Laoghaire. Details here.

Dublin Bay Sailing Club's 2016 end of season race, an important occasion in the Club’s racing calendar, has been rescheduled to this Wednesday (August 24th) to allow Dublin Bay sailors participate in Annalise Murphy's special homecoming reception at the People's Park in Dun Laoghaire.

The Dublin Bay sailor won an Olympic silver medal in Rio 2016 in the Laser Radial class and will be welcomed back to the borough on Thursday evening from 6pm.

DBSC Commodore Chris Moore says he wants to give members the chance to 'participate in this remarkable tribute to this illustrious member of the Dublin Bay sailing community'.

The Water Wags, who race each Wednesday in the harbour have asked boats transiting the harbour to respect the Wag race. 'Please ask yachts under power to avoid creating excessive washes', a Wag spokesman said.

Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council and the Irish Sailing Association are planning a major celebration of Annalise Murphy's Olympic Silver medal in the Laser Radial class. A civic reception for the Irish Olympic Sailing team will take place in Dun Laoghaire, Annalise's home port this Thursday, (25th August 2016).

Plans are underway to give the Dun Laoghaire sailing star a major homecoming celebration that will start with a flotilla arrival at Dun Laoghaire harbour before proceeding to a public event at Dun Laoghaire's nearby People's Park, close to the East Pier. The reception will be staged from 6.30pm – 8.00pm.

Annalise will be officially welcomed home by An Cathaoirleach of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council Cormac Devlin.

The Homecoming in the People’s Park will host a big stage & screen and will feature a Brazilian Samba band, a dancing troupe, DJ, facepainting, flags, balloons, boat display and possibility of an icecream or two, say DLRCoCo.

Ireland's newest Olympic silver medalist arrives home to a hero's welcome. pic.twitter.com/ZZk4BrXaPf

— Newstalk Sport (@NewstalkSport) August 23, 2016

In what will be an important acknowledgment of Murphy's crowning achievement, the country's largest racing club, Dublin Bay Sailing Club (DBSC) has rescheduled Thursday's end of season race for up to 300 boats and over 1,000 sailors on Dublin Bay to allow sailors participate in the homecoming event.

After the civic reception, National Yacht Club Commodore Larry Power will bestow Honorary Life Membership of the National Yacht Club to 26–year–old Annalise for her Rio achievement, Ireland's first Olympic sailing medal in 36 years.

Ireland’s young sailors to welcome Annalise Murphy

The Irish Sailing Association is making a special appeal for junior and youth sailors from across the county–and country– to attend on Thursday evening to help form the welcome party for Annalise and her team. Sailing club colours and flags are especially welcome. 

The Silver medal won by Annalise marks not only her efforts for London 2012 when fourth overall was both a disappointment for her as well as being the best Irish result in decades, but also the reconstruction of her campaign for Rio 2016 that saw her become an all-round performer in what is now regarded as one of the most challenging Olympic regatta venues ever. From the opening race of her series, she held a top-three result through the ten-race qualification series.

Annalise Murphy won Ireland’s first Olympic Sailing medal for 36 years at Rio 2016 and the result marks her reward for eleven years of dedication and intensive campaigning.

“I am incredibly happy with my medal. It has been a long road to achieve this, especially since London 2012 but it has been hugely worthwhile,” said Annalise Murphy. “My hope is that this medal represents an opportunity for Irish sailing to attract new people to our sport which is ideal for this island nation".

Team members

Finn Lynch (20) from Carlow and also a National YC sailor was the youngest ever Olympic helm to represent Ireland as well as being the youngest in his 46-strong class. He achieved several notable performances during his ten-race series at Rio including several top 20 results. In an event where the average age of the top ten finishers is 30, he has proven his ability with an Olympic experience under his belt and is certain to be a prospect for Tokyo 2020.

Andrea Brewster and Saskia Tidey from the Royal Irish YC started their campaign together exactly three years ago and sailed the 49erFX class for the new Women’s Skiff event at Rio 2016. After overcoming a three-month injury hiatus to their campaign, they qualified Ireland for the event earlier this year and their form improved steadily in the build-up to the Olympics. Over their 12 race series, they achieved five top ten results and ended their debut Olympic Games in 12th place overall.

Ryan Seaton and Matt McGovern, from Carrickfergus Sailing Club, Ballyholme YC & Royal Ulster YC were the last of the six Irish sailors into action on Guanabara Bay on Thursday afternoon in the Men’s Skiff event Medal Race final. The London 2012 veterans improved on their performance from four years ago by qualifying for the final to place tenth overall. Their results included two race wins in which they beat the four times world champions and eventual Gold medal winners. This ensured they were within reach of the podium going in to the last day of fleet racing.

“This result proves that our strategy in high performance is working and is providing the success that all involved in sailing and sport crave,” commented David Lovegrove, President of the Irish Sailing Association. “I want to acknowledge the tremendous professionalism of our coaching staff who have demonstrated such passion and commitment to our sailors. In particular I want to commend James O’Callaghan’s leadership and guidance of high performance sailing, ably supported by Rory Fitzpatrick.”

“Annalise’s medal confirms the intent of our programme that both delivers the highest standard of performance but also makes a return to our domestic sport,” said James O’Callaghan, ISA Performance Director.

Afloat.ie's idea to purchase Annalise Murphy's silver medal winning Laser dinghy supplied by the Olympic race organisers is gathering pace.

Writing in his Sailing on Saturday blog, W M Nixon said how about bringing Annalise’s Rio Laser home for permanent display in the National Maritime Museum? It could usefully show visitors one of the greatest sailing dinghy designs of all time, and it would commemorate a great Irish sailing success.

Then too, it would be very useful to have that little boat around the place when the National Yacht Club (founded 1870) celebrates its Sesquicentennial in 2020, when we can only hope that Irish sailing will be having as good a time at the Tokyo Olympics, seeking fair play for a minority sport from a small country, as they did in Rio.

Writing in the Irish Independent this morning, Jim Cusack takes up the idea as he unveils National Yacht Club plans to welcome home Annalise with an NYC flotilla.