#SAILING – Olympic Single handed sailor Annalise Murphy was recognised at home on Saturday night when the 22–year–old National Yacht Club sailor who won an Afloat Sailor of the Month award last May, lifted the Irish Sailing Association's (ISA) 'Achievement' Award for 2011.
She beat three other nominees including Afloat's Sailor of the Year winner George Kenefick, the Dragon Edinburgh Cup winner Martin Byrne and Windsurfer Noelle Doran who had all picked up Sailor of the Month Awards for their respective international achievements in 2011.
The weekend award ceremony was held on Saturday in the Royal Marine Hotel, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin and presented by Minister for Sport, Leo Varadkar TD.
Annalise's tremendous successes in 2011 included fourth at the Miami World Cup in January followed by a podium finish at Sail for Gold in Weymouth where she took home the bronze medal. She then travelled to Perth in December for the ISAF World Championships where she finished sixth overall and qualified Ireland for the 2012 Olympics.
The weekend award for the top Young Sailor was won by Tralee's Sophie Browne who picked up Afloat's first sailor of the month award in January when she finished13th overall from 210 boats and picked up a Silver medal for second Girl. It was this result, say the association, that ultimately put her ahead of her fellow nominees, Patrick Crosbie, Peter McCann, Philip Doran and Seafra Guilfoyle.
The other winners included Michael McCarney from Co. Tipperary who won the ISA Volunteer of the Year award, Rachel Hoolahan from Greystones who won the ISA Instructor of the Year award and Rusheen Bay Windsurfing from Co. Galway took home the prize for Training Centre of the Year.
Full 2011 Afloat.ie/Irish Independent Sailor of the Month Award Citations here