#isaf – Fifth overall for Annalise Murphy including medal race participation in the Laser Radial class of the ISAF World Cup in Weymouth today will be of some satisfaction for the Dun Laoghaire sailor given the very light winds encountered this morning. The odds were heavily stacked in Marit Bouwmeester's (NED) favour after a commanding week of racing. She held a 15 point advantage over Evi Van Acker (BEL) and only a near disaster could have seen her knocked off her perch. She sailed well, finishing fourth which was more than enough for gold.

"It has been a really good week for me," commented Bouwmeester. "I had some steady results and I was happy to take it in today during the Medal Race.

"I had five first places and two seconds and that was my best scorecard ever, so I am very pleased with that, that's results wise but todays sailing was a little less brilliant and still a lot to work on."

Van Acker took the Medal Race victory to confirm silver.

The race for bronze was little bit more tense with plenty of equations possible including Annalise. Alison Young (GBR) held the spot overnight however a great performance from Anne-Marie Rindom catapulted her into bronze. Rindom's second enabled her to remove Young who managed a seventh. Annalise never threatened in the medal race and appeared sluggish especially downwind in conditions as low as four knots at times. She ended the race ninth of ten starters. 

#isafworldcup - Another two race wins put Annalise Murphy's arch rival Marit Boumeester into another league at the ISAF World Cup in Weymouth today while the Dubliner dropped three places to sixth overall in the 12 knot breezes. Howth's Aoife Hopkins is 36th.

Alex Maloney and Molly Meech (NZL) were the stand out performers in the 49erFX, taking a pair of bullets and a second. Ireland's Andrea Brewster and Saskia Tidey made it out on the water today after yesterday's vomiting bug caused them to miss the first three races yesterday. Sickness appears to be well and truly behind the Dublin Bay pair who scored a seven and a second today.

In the mens 49er class, fortunes also improved for Ryan Seaton and Matt McGovern who took a sith and a third in the final two rounds today to move  up to 16th overall. 

In advance of the docking out a few of the 49erFX sailors had helmets at the ready in anticipation of big breeze but things turned out a little differently as Meech explained, "Most of the weather forecasts today said we were expecting 30 knots. I know for our fleet most of the girls don't handle that stuff so well so we were all nervous heading out. In the end it turned out to be a glamour day with 12 knots and really nice waves. It was perfect."

Maloney and Meech are amongst the leading competitors in the 49erFX and have the potential and know how to medal at each event. Most recently they finished seventh at World Cup Hyeres and have been working hard to get back on the podium, "We've got a few things to work on for the rest of this regatta. Our starts have been a focus for us and things are starting to come together. We'll look to push on from that and try to get a great result from this regatta."

Grael and Kunze, 2014 ISAF Rolex World Sailors of the Year, are snapping at the heels of the Kiwis and trail by three points. They took the day's other race victory and coupled with a second and a third remain firmly in the hunt.

Overnight leaders Maiken Foght Schütt and Anne-Julie Schütt (DEN) slip to third overall following a 6-(8)-4 scoreline.

Six fleet races remain in advance of Sunday's Live Medal Races so anything can and will happen.

Victor Bergstrom and Victor Vasternas (SWE) have amassed three bullets from six races in the 49er and subsequently lead. They took the first two race victories on the second day and discard their 12th to sit on 23 points.

Marcus Hansen and Josh Porebski (NZL) claimed the days other race victory and are second overall on 26 points. Their compatriots Peter Burling and Blair Tuke (NZL) are third overall on 30 points.

Laser and Laser Radial

It would seem that Marit Bouwmeester (NED) is taking the experience she has gained from the London 2012 Olympics in Weymouth and Portland and applying it to the fullest effect taking both bullets.

Those two wins have kept Bouwmeester's score down to three points with an unbeaten run of four from four races so far this World Cup.

Her nearest challenger is Belgium's Evi Van Acker who finishes the day in second overall on nine points after a 9-4 finish.

Ireland's Annalise Murphy dropped to sixth with an eighth and a discarded 16th. Murphy's third place is now held by Great Britain's Alison Young on ten points following a strong 4-2 day to help move her up the leader board.

In the Laser, New Zealand's Andy Maloney is still in top spot despite a sixth and an 18th. He drops his 18th and remains at the top of the pile with nine points.

Jesper Stalheim of Sweden had a good day moving up from fourth to second with a 2-10, dropping his 14th from the opening day. His 13 points sits him alongside Germany's Philipp Buhl on the same points tally. The German finished with a 7-3 scoreline for the day.

Sitting just behind on 14 points is Charlie Buckingham (USA). The bullets went to New Zealand's Michael Bullot and Australia's Matthew Wearn.

Men's and Women's 470

The Women's 470 also feature a couple of Kiwi girls topping the billing after a steady day of racing. Jo Aleh and Polly Powrie (NZL) lead the way by a single point over Hannah Mills and Saskia Clark (GBR) following a second and a fourth, which they discard.

"It was an okay day," explained Aleh. "We weren't really that happy with it as there were a few missed opportunities. The results are okay still but we're still not that happy."

After their opening day double bullets the Kiwis posted a second and fourth. "An okay day" for them, an outstanding day for others. But when you're Olympic gold medallists racing on the same waters as your glory, standards remain high.

Aleh continued, "It's great to be back here. It's been three years since we've been here and it's not changed that much. It's nice to be back and everything's really familiar. We spent so much time here last time that it's like another home.

"I guess Weymouth is a lot like New Zealand. There's the cold breeze and the cold water. It's a lot like Takapuna where we sail at home. We're all quite comfortable here. It's been offshore for the last couple of days and we've always found that Weymouth is like home and we fit into it pretty easily."

London 2012 Olympic silver medallists Hannah Mills and Saskia Clark (GBR) sit in second overall following a sixth, which they discard, and a bullet. Tina Mrak and Veronika Macarol (SLO) remain in third overall.

In the Men's 470 Stu McNay and Dave Hughes (USA) and Mat Belcher and Will Ryan (AUS) shared first and second in both of the day's races. The Americans took the first bullet followed by the Aussies whilst the roles were reversed for the day's other race.

The Americans lead on five points followed by the Australians on 10 points. Paul Snow-Hansen and Daniel Willcox (NZL) are third on 14 points.

Finn

Giles Scott (GBR) was back on the money in the Finn, doing what he does best, winning sailboat races.

He opened the day with a second and hit back with a bullet to move into first overall. "We've had two very similar days now with 10-15 knots and it's very very physical racing," commented Scott on the competition.

"I think everyone is feeling pretty tired today. But today for me was a bit better than yesterday. I managed to come away with a 1 and a 2, so I can't really grumble."

The Finn fleet features 24-boats in Weymouth and Portland and with the Rio 2016 Olympic fleet comprising of one less it's the perfect opportunity to race in an Olympic sized pack with an exceptional calibre of competitors, "We have 24 boats, so it surprising how everything seems to be close up and everyone is super punchy on the start line. So you have to watch that a little bit.

"Of course everyone here is quick so it is very easy to find yourself on the back foot and not so many people behind you. But with that said it makes the racing super good. I think in one of the races today the whole fleet was round in 30 seconds. It's tight street fighting really."

Jonathan Lobert (FRA) took the days other race victory and coupled with a third he sits second overall, two points off Scott. Josh Junior (NZL) is pushed from first to third by the British and French racers.

Men's and Women's RS:X

In the Women's RS:X, Great Britain's Isobel Hamilton stays ahead of the field following another consistent day on the water. From the day's three races she notched up three second place finishes.

Maintaining the British 1-2 is Bryony Shaw who is two points behind her compatriot.

But while Shaw had another good day with a 3-3-1, Italy's Flavia Tartaglini moved up to joint second on 12 points with two bullets and a fourth place finish.

London 2012 Olympic silver medallist Tuuli Petaja-Siren drops down to fourth on 16 points.

In the Men's RS:X Tom Squires (GBR) moved a point ahead in the battle of the Brits with a 1-2-4 scoreline. Squires is above fellow Briton Nick Dempsey who was on a 6-5 on the day until a win in the last race improved his fortunes.

Italy's Mattia Camboni stays in third position whilst Brazil's Ricardo Santos had a much better day, taking first place in the second race to go with his 2-3 finishes. The Brazilian sits in fourth.

Nacra 17

Jason Waterhouse and Lisa Darmanin (AUS) had a strong day in the Nacra 17 posting a 7-1-5 scoreline. They lead on 19 points.

Switzerland's Matias Buhler and Nathalie Brugger are second on 21 points followed by Thomas Zajac and Tanja Frank (AUT), who claimed the final race victory of the day.

Darren Bundock and Nina Curtis (AUS) claimed the days other race honours and are fourth overall.

Paralympic Events

In the Sonar, double bullets for Australia's Colin Harrison, Jonathan Harris and Russell Boaden move them to the top of the leaderboard with four points ahead of Norway's Aleksander Wang-Hansen, Marie Solberg and Per Eugen Kristiansen on six.

The Norwegians are just one point in front of Great Britain's John Robertson, Hannah Stodel and Steve Thomas who lay in third on seven points following a fourth and second place finish.

In the SKUD18 nothing separates Marco Gualandris and Marta Zanetti (ITA) and Alexandra Rickham and Niki Birrell (GBR) who each take a bullet and second, yet again mirroring the opening day results. They both sit on four points with Will Street and Megan Pascoe (GBR) third overall on nine.

London 2012 Paralympic gold medallist Helena Lucas (GBR) controlled the 2.4mR again with four wins from four races following her two bullets today.

Sitting behind and taking four consecutive second places is Antonio Squizzato of Italy on six points.

Malaysia's Al Mustakim Matrin remains third overall with a third place finish and a discarded fifth.

Racing resumes at 11:00 local time on Friday 12 June.

#isafworldcup – Annalise Murphy is in the top three of the women's Laser Radial fleet at the ISAF World Cup fleet in Weymouth after today's two opening races in an 'uncommon' 15–knot easterly breeze. The Dun Laoghaire star scored a second in the first race and a sixth this afternoon in her 36–boat fleet. 16–year–old Aoife Hopkins of Howth Yacht Club, who earned her place by virtue of her performance (40th overall in an 82–boat fleet) at last month's Delta Lloyd regatta in Holland, lies 35th.

Belfast Lough's Ryan Seaton and Matt Mc Govern are 27th from 39th in the 49er skiff dinghy after counting a 13 and a disappointing 35 this afternoon. 

In the women's skiff, Royal Irish pair Andrea Brewster and Saskia Tidey are scored as 'did not compete' in the first three races of the 49erFX class. Unfortunately the Dun Laoghaire pair were unable to race as a result of Tidey's 'suspected food poisoning' or 'some sort of vomiting bug'.

Ranging from 10-15 knots, the breeze coupled with glorious sunshine, resulted in some exceptional racing on the 2012 Olympic waters.

The stakes have been described as high by the competitors competing in Great Britain and rightly so with internal Rio qualification battles on-going, ISAF Sailing World Cup honours, a share of the prize fund and Abu Dhabi Final spots up for grab.

Racing commenced at 11:00 local time and wrapped up early evening with the ten Olympic, three Paralympic and Kiteboarding events completing their race schedule.

Laser

New Zealand's Andy Maloney came out with intent in the Laser, taking the day one lead with a strong performance as he explained, "We had good breeze between 10 and 15 knots. It was pretty shifty on the course but I had good pace and played the shifts and managed to come away with a first and second which is pretty solid. It was a good day."

The Road to Rio is a hard one and as well as international threats, Maloney also has to contend with domestic rivals on his journey. With the likes of his compatriots Sam Meech, Mike Bullot and Thomas Saunders all capable of challenging for medals, Maloney feels no internal pressure, "It's good for us and the Australians to have a good squad and we're all pushing each other hard.

"It's exciting more than anything now in the Laser because it's coming down to the final part of the cycle so it's crunch time now."

Yachting New Zealand named six crews for the Olympic Test Event on 18 May – see release here - . And as stated, will consider nominations the Laser following the World Cup Weymouth and Portland. A good performance by Maloney could go a long way for selection with Bullot in 15th, Saunders 20th and Sam Meech 21st after the opening day.

Nick Thompson (GBR) was not far off of Maloney's pace, finishing behind him in both races to sit in second.

London 2012 Olympic silver medallist Pavlos Kontides (CYP) was almost as strong in Weymouth and Portland's conditions as he did so well three years prior. A seventh and a fourth puts him third overall but he's got his eye on the top, "I'm satisfied with my performance and races today but there's still a long way to go and I hope to move up. Having 40 top guys with this new ISAF World Cup, the stakes are high.

"You have to push to the end and every race counts. You can win this event without winning any races. Consistency will prove vital in the end."

The day's remaining race win went the way of Jesper Stalheim (SWE) who is fourth overall.

Laser Radial

The last time Marit Bouwmeester (NED), Evi Van Acker (BEL) and Annalise Murphy (IRL) competed against each other at Weymouth and Portland they were locked in a battle for Olympic medals.

Fast forward three years and they're fighting it out again at the ISAF Sailing World Cup.
Marit Bouwmeester (NED) was assertive on the race course, winning both races by a comfortable margin. The Dutch sailor, who won silver at London 2012, sits atop the pile with Evi Van Acker, London 2012 bronze medallist, trailing on five points following a 3-2 scoreline.

Murphy came through in second in the opening race and followed it up with a sixth in Race 2. She is third on eight points.

Great Britain's Alison Young sits fourth on 13 points.

49er and 49erFX

On the face of the 49er results it would be quick to assume that leaders Lukasz Przybytek and Pawel Kolodzinski (POL) were the stand out performers of the day. However, regattas aren't won on the first they. It takes a consistent performance across five days of racing to come out on top and the most consistent team of the day were the first placed John Pink and Stu Bithell (GBR).

The pair recorded a 8-3-9 scoreline and were the only team to record three single digit scores. "On the first day of the regatta it's always nice to start well and we're thrilled to bits with three top tens. We're fifth overall which is great and tomorrow brings another challenge because it's going to be windy and we'll be pushing on and hopefully get into that top three.

"It's a great fleet, the top boats in the world are here and no one is really missing. It's great that everyone is competing in the ISAF Sailing World Cup."

Bithell won silver in the Men's 470 at London 2012 and on his home waters he knows what the venue is all about, "You could argue that I know Weymouth fairly well," he said with a smile. "I've lived here for some years now, did the Olympic Games here and is there a home advantage," he pondered, "yes there probably is but incidentally we don't always get the wind direction we had today."

The Polish crew lead on seven points with Pink and Bithell four points off the leaders. Nathan Outteridge and Iain Jensen (AUS) and Dylan Fletcher and Alain Sign (GBR) are tied on 8 points in second and third.

Maiken Foght Schutt and Anne-Julie Schutt (DEN) lead the way in the 49erFX on three points following scores of 6-2-1. Alex Maloney and Molly Meech (NZL) follow in second place on six points.

Sarah Steyaert and Aude Compan (FRA), Tamara Echegoyen and Berta Betanzos (ESP) and Martine Grael and Kahena Kunze (BRA) are tied on seven points from third to fifth.

Men's and Women's RS:X

It's a British 1-2 in the Men's RS:X and Women's RS:X. Nick Dempsey and Tom Squires are locked on three points apiece in the men's whilst Isobel Hamilton leads Bryony Shaw by a single point in the women's.

From three races Dempsey and Squires took a race victory each with the third place Mattia Camboni (ITA) taking the other.

"We had nice racing, very close," exclaimed Dempsey. "Tom and I are quicker than the fleet. Our training's gone really well and we're starting to sail well. It's nice and quite good fun racing."

The pair train together on a daily basis which has helped them in the build-up to the regatta as Dempsey explained, "It's nice having a competitive training partner. When we train we know we're training against one of the fastest people in the world.

"You never have to compensate. If you're beating Tom then you know you're going fast. That is what we've always missed having with our training partners so it's brilliant news."

"It's nice and quite good fun racing Tom."

In the Women's RS:X, Hamilton enjoyed a solid day on the water, staying at the front of the pack notching up a 6-2-2 scoreline. "It was definitely my best first day at a World Cup so far," said the smiling Hamilton, "I would love to be able to hold on to first for the whole week.

"It was really good racing and it's really nice to be racing at home. Weymouth is a fantastic venue and it's really great to be back here."

Shaw is a point off of Hamitlon after her 4-1-4 with London 2012 Olympic silver medallist Tuuli Petaja-Siren third overall. The day's race wins went to Joanna Sterling (AUS), Shaw and Ingrid Puusta (EST).

Finn

Andrew Murdoch (NZL) opened his Weymouth and Portland account with a strong display in the Finn, notching up a 3-2 to lead the 24-boat fleet.

Murdoch, a 2012 OIympian in the Laser, used his experience to full effect at the front of the fleet. He has opened up a four point lead over Jonathan Lobert (FRA).

Giles Scott (GBR) took the opening race victory of the day and followed it up with a 12th. He is third overall. The remaining race victory went the way of Josh Junior (NZL) who is sixth overall but just three points off the third placed Scott.

Men's and Women's 470

It's like London 2012 repeated in the Women's 470 with the gold and silver medallists occupying the spots they claimed three years ago.

Gold medallists Jo Aleh and Polly Powrie (NZL) dominated the day by taking both bullets whilst silver Hannah Mills and Saskia Clark (GBR) were forced to look at the back of the Kiwi boat in both races as they settled for two seconds.

Tina Mrak and Veronika Macarol (SLO) sit in third after the opening two races following a 4-3.

In the Men's 470, Stu McNay and David Hughes (USA) have a tasty six point lead over World #1 Panagiotis Mantis and Pavlos Kagialis (GRE). A fourth and a second gives them the lead at the early stage but with their experience, they won't be getting carried away.

Victories on the day went to the Greeks and Ferdinand Gerz and Oliver Szymanski (GER) who are sixth overall.

Nacra 17

As of 19:20 local time Thomas Zajac and Tanja Frank (AUT) lead the way in the Nacra 17. However, many of the competitors sailed the wrong course in Race 1 with Race Committee protests and vice versa. A handful of protests remain open that may result in further amendments.

As it stands the Austrians top the pile on four points followed by Matias Buhler and Nathalie Brugger (SUI) and Jason Waterhouse and Lisa Darmanin (AUS).

Paralympic Events

London 2012 Paralympic gold medallist Helena Lucas (GBR) began her World Cup campaign with intent. Double bullets give her a two point lead over Antonio Squizzato (ITA) who finished directly behind the Briton in both of the days races.

Malaysia's Al Mustakim Matrin sits in third overall.

In the SKUD18, Marco Gualandris and Marta Zanetti (ITA) and Alexandra Rickham and Niki Birrell (GBR) are level on three points.

The Italian and British teams shared the top two places on the day, taking a bullet and a second apiece.

Will Street and Megan Pascoe (GBR) are third overall.

It is tight at the top in the Sonar with four crews locked on five points.

Norway's Aleksander Wang-Hansen, Marie Solberg and Per Eugen Kristiansen took the opening bullet of the day and followed it up by a fourth.

John Robertson, Hannah Stodel and Steve Thomas (GBR) took the second bullet of the day but like the Norwegians also count a fourth.

Colin Harrison, Jonathan Harris and Russell Boaden (AUS) and John Twomey, Austrin O'Carroll and Ian Costelloe (IRL) notched up a second and a third each and are also tied with the Norwegian and Irish crews.

Racing resumes at 11:00 local time on Thursday 11 July with some great race action on the cards.

#Speed - As British sailor Hannah White launches her bid to become the fastest woman on water, could the likes of Ireland's Olympic hero Annalise Murphy be inspired to make their own record-breaking attempts?

Yachting Monthly reports on sailor and broadcaster White's plans not only to break the women's speed record over one nautical mile with the purpose-built Moth foil Speedbird, but also reach a speed above 40 knots.

Doing so will involve a combination of state-of-the-art boat design, with titanium and carbon fibre components, and peak physical conditioning on the part of White – who is already training with a cross-discipline team to build new muscle groups for the core strength needed.

That's a challenge indeed, but nothing insurmountable for this experienced endurance sailor, who only this week became the fastest person to cross the English Channel by single-handed dinghy.

The question is, does Ireland have the calibre of high-performance sailors to attempt such a feat?

Annalise Murphy would make an excellent candidate – she might be focused on next summer's Olympics right now, but she's building up experience in the Moth, and would be well placed to launch her own speed record bid after the Games.

What other Irish sailors could take on the record? Have your say in the comments below!

#olympicsailing – The eyes of the sailing world will be back on Annalise Murphy when she returns to Weymouth next week with the world's Olympic medallists returning to the venue of the London 2012 Olympic Sailing Competition for the next round of the ISAF Sailing World Cup. Murphy lost out on a medal in the closing stages of the London 2012 Olympics but did Ireland proud by posting its best Olympic result in 30 years. Annalise is in top form, winning silver at the Delta Lloyd regatta in Holland last week against some arch rivals and in condtions that might very well be repeated in windy Weymouth.

Weymouth and Portland, the fourth of six ISAF Sailing World Cup regattas in 2015, will welcome sailors across ten Olympic and three Paralympic events in Great Britain from 8-14 June 2015.

ISAF Sailing World Cup glory, a share of the €78,000 prize fund and Abu Dhabi final spots are on offer with racing commencing on 10 June culminating in the live Medal Races on Sunday 14 June.

The world's top 30 sailors from the 27 April 2015 ISAF World Sailing Rankings release were invited to Weymouth and Portland with the remaining receiving their spot at the qualification event, the Delta Lloyd Regatta in Medemblik, the Netherlands.

The Laser Radial Medal Race at London 2012 saw a four way shoot out for the medals between Lijia Xu (CHN), Marit Bouwmeester (NED), Evi Van Acker (BEL) and Annalise Murphy.

Xu went on to win gold and has since stepped away from the Laser Radial. Meanwhile silver medallist Bouwmeester, bronze medallist Van Acker and the fourth place Murphy all return to the waters for ISAF Sailing World Cup Weymouth and Portland.

"I have fond memories of Weymouth. [It was] a dream come true to become an Olympian in 2012," commented Bouwmeester. "It will be my first time back in the UK since 2012. I am very excited and looking forward to the nice waves in the bay."

Van Acker is also of a similar mind set in advance of competition, "I have great memories of Weymouth. The conditions during the Olympics were fantastic with good winds and sunshine every day. I'm looking very much forward going back to the Olympic venue.

"Winning an Olympic medal was something truly exceptional. My team and I worked so hard for it. My friends and family were cheering for us on the mountain [the Nothe]. It was a dream come true, although I still feel like I could have done better."

The level of the competition at the ISAF Sailing World Cup regatta has the potential to be higher than the Olympic Sailing Competition with multiple entrants per nation possible. The qualification system ensures the best of the best are in the 40 boat fleet, something Bouwmeester enjoys, "In my opinion this concept is the way forward.

"It's nice to have the big fleet qualifying events and then the high level World Cup events. It's nice to race with all the good girls in one fleet, just like the Olympics."

Van Acker added, "Racing in a 40 boat fleet in Hyères was definitely exciting. It's different in many ways, but good fun and good practice for the Olympics. Pressure is on from day one without a qualifying series and with only the top sailors competing.

"I expect fierce competition in Weymouth. The Laser Radial is a very competitive class and there is always a good battle going on between the girls. We are coming closer to the test event in Rio, many national trials are going on so everyone wants to perform at their best."

Ireland's Murphy missed out on an Olympic medal by just four points over the third placed Van Acker but looks back fondly on the venue, "I have a lot of great memories from Weymouth as I first competed there in the ISAF Youth Worlds in 2006. I like coming to Weymouth as it is so close to home for me and because I have spent so much time there everything is very familiar."

Murphy, like Bouwmeester and Van Acker, also pointed out the positives of the elite level competition, "It was really exciting racing with the top 40 boats in Hyères and it brings in a whole new dynamic to Olympic racing. If you make a small mistake you're most likely going to get punished for it as everyone is so close.

"I think you have to work extremely hard to succeed in the Laser Radial right now, everyone is extremely professional and if you're not giving it 100% it is very easy to get left behind."

Belgium's Van Acker will be the one to beat in Weymouth and Portland. Over the last 15 months she has finished on the podium at every ISAF Sailing World Cup regatta she's competed at, winning gold at the 2014 and 2015 Hyères editions and the 2014 ISAF Sailing World Cup Final.

Aiming to halt her run, alongside Murphy and Bouwmeester, will be Hyères bronze medallist Josefin Olsson (SWE), World #1 Alison Young (GBR) and World #3 Anne-Marie Rindom (DEN).

Laser

Pavlos Kontides (CYP) made history at the London 2012 Olympic Sailing Competition by becoming the first athlete from Cyprus to claim an Olympic medal. With gold medallist Tom Slingsby (AUS) concentrating on the America's Cup and Rasmus Myrgren (SWE) stepping away from the boat, Kontides is the only returning Olympic Laser medallist in Weymouth and Portland.

"The best sporting moments of my life are obviously from Weymouth," explained a nostalgic Cypriot. "Scoring two bullets on the second day of the Olympics, holding the yellow jersey mid-way through and finally, glory for myself, my family, my team and my country's first ever Olympic medal.

"[Sailing World Cup Weymouth and Portland] is a perfect opportunity for me to visit the same place where it all happened. It will just always feel special to me and a strong bond will exist due to the memories.

"Of course I do remember a lot of rainy days as well during my preparation there," he said with a winking face on his email response.

Kontides will form part of an exceptional fleet of 40 strong Laser sailors in Weymouth and Portland. The 40-boat invitational fleets were introduced at World Cup Hyères and proved an immediate hit as Kontides explained, "This type of racing is challenging and exciting with no mistakes allowed.

"The start and opening of the race are even more important as recovery opportunities are less frequent due to the high level of the fleet and evenness in speed. Consistency is always key for a good result.

"Competition will definitely be tough and together with the conditions Weymouth is known for, hiking, strong changing current and a big swell will provide the sailors with fascinating racing."

The Laser is one of the most hotly contested Olympic fleets at the moment with a number of competitors consistently fighting for top honours. But what does it take to succeed? "Sailing is a sport which depends on many different parameters," explained Kontides. "Consistency is a must for success as you have to perform well in all kinds of conditions.

"In doing so you have to start good, sail fast and smart with low risk and finish every race as best as possible. You can always win a regatta without even winning an individual race."

Matt Wearm (AUS) recently won the Delta Lloyd Regatta by taking just a single race win from nine races. Consistency is certainly king in the Laser and Wearn comes into Weymouth and Portland eager to continue his good form, "The win in Medemblik has prepared me well for Weymouth. It gives me a great deal of confidence that I have the ability to be on the top of the podium.

"It was also great to be so consistent in the tricky conditions against some tough opponents.

"The Laser fleet as always is extremely competitive. It feels that you can go to any event around the world and you can expect to be racing the world's best. The depth in the fleet is incredible to that anyone from the top 20 in the world has the ability to win regattas.

"I feel Weymouth will be no exception to this and that it's going to be another incredibly tight regatta between the top few guys in the world. It is definitely now becoming the time where everyone wants to assert their dominance going in to the last year before the [Olympic] Games."

World #1 Tom Burton (AUS) heads into Weymouth in good form having won World Cup Hyères whilst Tonci Stipanovic (CRO), Nick Thompson (GBR) and Philipp Buhl (GER) will all make the journey to Weymouth and Portland well prepared.

#saildlr – Annalise Murphy will take Ireland's only Laser Radial spot for this summer's Test Event in Rio following a successful trial event at the Eurosaf event in Medemblik this week in which she won silver in the medal race today. Typically strong winds for the week blew in Annalise's favour and she was able to demonstrate her heavy air supremacy with four race wins from nine starts.

Annalise, however, was unable to catch Olympic Silver medal winner Marit Bouwmeester in today's medal race but  finished ahead of Olympic Bronze medal rival Evi Van Acker in the 82–boat fleet.

The Dutch event was an Irish qualifier for the Olympic Test event, which will take place in Rio in August of this year. Having already qualified the nation for the Olympics, Annalise was competing in this event as part of her preparations for Rio in 2016.

The Dun Laoghaire sailor went into the final day's medal event two points behind local favourite Bouwmeester who won the Medal race and event. Murphy was under pressure the whole time from Van Acker and despite capsizing once, managed to keep the gap wide enough to ensure she picked up the silver medal with the Belgian taking bronze.

Annalise now looks forward to the ISAF World Cup series event in Weymouth in the UK from June 8-14 where competition is expected to be even tougher. 

This year's team at Medemblik comprised of Providence Resuorces sponsored Olympic team sailors, Annalise Murphy and James Espey, plus Aisling Keller, Aoife Hopkins, Erica Ruigrok, Nicole Hemeryck, Finn Lynch, Daragh O'Sullivan and Fionn Lyden.

#saildlr – 'Nice to be back at the front!' declared Annalise Murphy after taking two race wins this afternoon to add to her tally of four at Delta Lloyd regatta this week. The Irish Laser Radial Olympian is in second place for tomorrow's medal race, just two points behind local favourite Marit Bouwmeester but tomorow's Medal Race on the ijsselmeer at Medemblik is for double-points which means the Dutch and Irish rivals effectively go in all square. And given the Irish 'Breeze Queen's' current form, tomorrow's forecasted windy conclusion to a windy week might just play into Irish hands.

 

#The National Yacht Club's Annalise Murphy continued her assault on an 82–Laser Radial fleet in a bitterly cold edition of the Delta Lloyd regatta in Holland yesterday. The Newstalk sponsored solo sailor scored a second race win and a third yesterday to be second overall in blustery conditions, just four points behind world number one Marit Bouwmeester of the host nation. In the mens division, Belfast's James Espey's run of top ten results came to a stop after he posted a 32 and 47  yesterday to lie 25th in the mens Laser gold fleet.

As Afloat.ie reported earlier, also competing in Delta Lloyd Regatta this week are Irish radial saiors Aisling Keller, Aoife Hopkins, Erica Ruigrok and Nicole Hemeryck. Irish Laser men competing are Fionn Lyden, Chris Russell, Finn Lynch and Darragh O'Sullivan.

The regatta has two further gold fleet races today before Saturday's important medal race which Annalise will certainly contend.

Day 3 of the Delta Lloyd Regatta brought stronger winds and steeper waves, making it the most physically challenging day so far for the 707 teams from 74 nations. 

Ireland's Annalise Murphy recovered from two bad starts with some awesome boatspeed to score the 1,3 in the women's Laser Radials. But the 2012 Olympic silver medallist, Marit Bouwmeester, matched Murphy's scores and the Dutch sailor tops the leaderboard.

The men's Laser looks like it is turning into a two-horse race with two sailors tied at the top on 10 points, although on tiebreak it's Australia's Matt Wearn who holds the advantage over the Netherlands' Rutger van Schaardendburg. Dutch master, PJ Postma, maintains his stranglehold on the Finn singlehanded fleet.

Today's breeze looks set to be slightly lighter which, after yesterday's exertions, might come as a bit of a relief to some sailors at the Delta Lloyd Regatta.

#saildlr – A forecast of strong winds looks set to sweep Annalise Murphy to the the top of the fleet in Medemblik this week and assure her of the single Irish place at the Olympic test event in Rio in August. Already the Dun Laoghaire solo sailor has made the gold fleet, curently in fifth overall, clear head of four other Irish rivals in her 82–boat fleet. Likewise Belfast's James Espey in the mens division is counting four top ten results after another solid day yesterday with a seventh and a seventh to put him eighth overall, critically he's placed in the gold fleet with discard still intact. He leads four other Irish trialists.

Also competing in Medemblik for just two places at Aqueece Rio, Brazil are radial saiors Aisling Keller, Aoife Hopkins, Erica Ruigrok and Nicole Hemeryck. Irish Laser men competing are Fionn Lyden, Chris Russell, Finn Lynch and Darragh O'Sullivan.

#sailDLR2015 – Ten Irish Laser sailors are fighting for two places at this year's Olympic test event in Rio in August but it is the London 2012 incumbents who are producing the results on a windy day one of an Irish trial, sailed as part of the massive 700–boat Delta Lloyd regatta in Holland.

Dun Laoghaire's Annalise Murphy, sailing in her optimum conditions, opened her Dutch account with a first and a third to be fourth overall, putting down a marker to would be rivals Aisling Keller, Aoife Hopkins, Erica Ruigrok and Nicole Hemeryck.

Belfast mens Laser ace James Espey had a solid first day on the Ijsselmeer with an eighth and an eighth scored to put him 12th overall. Next best to Espey is Schull's Fionn Lyden in 48th. Chris Russell, Finn Lynch and Darragh O'Sullivan are also racing. 

The selection rules say the Irish sailor ranked the highest at the conclusion of this week shall be recommended for Aqueece Rio in August.

Full results here

It was a strong-wind opening day for the 700 boats competing at the Delta Lloyd Regatta in Medemblik, Holland.

Poland's world-class windsurfing squad has always enjoyed the strong breeze, and Pawel Tarnoski leads the RSX men's windsurfer division after a perfect day of three race victories. Zofia Noceti-Klepacka leads the RSX women's division with scores of 2,1,2.
In the women's skiff, the 49er FX, Dutch team Annemieke Bekkering and Annette Duetz blasted around the course with incredible consistency, racking up 3,3,3 to lead the regatta, although the Aussie team in 2nd place, Tess Lloyd and Caitlin Elks, also sit on 9 points with scores of 1,4,4.
It's a similar tie-break story at the top of the men's 49er leaderboard; New Zealand's young team of Marcus Hansen and Josh Porebski hold the lead in the men's skiff fleet, but on equal points in 2nd place is Australia's Joel Turner and Lewis Brake. Near the back of the fleet, but not surprising after their first day ever of competition in the highly challenging 49er, is the team from Oman, Musab Al Hadi and Hashim Al Rashdi. "If we can get round the course, and not crash into anyone, we'll be happy," said Al Hadi, although he was disappointed to finish outside the time limit of the final of their three heats, after multiple capsizes on the last leg of the race.
Part of the challenge of racing on the IJsselmeer is that the shallow 5-6m waters generate a short choppy wave pattern that makes it very easy to stick the nose of a fast boat like the 49er into the back of the wave, resulting in pitchpoles and capsizes. It's a similar problem for the high-speed catamaran, the Nacra 17. However this didn't upset the World No.1s from France, Billy Besson and Marie Riou who dominated the multihull fleet with 1,3,1 scores, sitting 10 points in front of Great Britain's Ben Saxton and Nicola Groves in 2nd place just ahead of Olympic medallists from Australia, Darren Bundock and Nina Curtis.

Annalise in race winning form on Day one of Delta Lloyd regatta in Holland. Photo: Sander van der Borch

Matthew Wearn from Australia did well in his side of the three-way draw in the 162-boat Laser qualifying fleet, with scores of 1,2 leaving him well placed after day one. Rutger van Schaardenburg is the top Dutch sailor in a very competitive home fleet, lying 2nd overall with a 4,1 score. In the women's singlehander, the Laser Radial, Annalise hammered home her traditional big-breeze advantage to win the first race of her qualifying group. On the other side of the draw, Olympic silver medallist Marit Bouwmeester from the Netherlands won her race at a canter, easily justifying her early selection to the Olympic team for Rio 2016.
In the three-person Paralympic keelboat, Colin Harrison's team from Australia tops the 12-boat Sonar fleet. In the SKUD doublehanders, Great Britain's Alex Rickham and Niki Birrell hold a one-point lead over the Netherlands' Rolf Schrama and Sandra Nap. France's Damien Seguin enjoyed a perfect day in the 2.4mR singlehander keelboat, winning both races.
In the 470 divisions, Finland's Niki Blassar and Mikaela Wulff lead the women's fleet, and Korea's Kim Chang-Ju and Kim Ji-Hoon lead the men. Pieter-Jan Postma didn't have it all his own way in the Finn singlehander, although the Dutchman still looked impressive on home waters to lead with scores of 3,1. "When it's windy and shifty like that, and with the waves on the IJsselmeer, it can be tricky for sailors visiting here, but they are learning quickly," he smiled. "I won't be sharing any local secrets with them, they are working it out already!"