They say timing is everything and Dublin sailor Annalise Murphy admits a place on the podium at last week's Skandia Sail for Gold regatta couldn't have been better scheduled with London 2012 around the corner.
Unlike the majority of her competitors in the Olympic waters in Weymouth last week, Murphy – as the only Irish representative in the Laser Radial class – has her London Olympic berth all-but secured.
But despite that constant comfort Murphy refused to take her foot off the gas at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy last week – ending third overall for her debut ISAF World Cup podium.
And after making personal history Murphy admits her Olympic aspirations are growing by the week.
"I am so happy with that, it is my first time medalling at a World Cup event so it is a pretty big deal," said Murphy.
"And it is really important that this win has come here at the Olympic venue because it means I can perform at this venue and it gives me confidence going forward.
"It gives me a big confidence boost that I really like this venue. I was tenth last year and generally I have done well here and it gives me confidence that I generally do well here heading into the Olympics."
Murphy will have little time to bask in her recent glories with more crucial London 2012 preparation just around the corner with the Olympic test event, also at Weymouth.
And after her success last week the 21-year-old Dubliner has set her sights on repeating the trick when the test event kicks off in August.
"I am back here in a few weeks for the test event," added Murphy. "So hopefully I can have another good performance then and get another good result and get some more momentum.
"Being the only Irish sailor does take a lot of pressure of because, for most countries the national trials mean they are worrying about where the other people they are sailing against are in races.
"But it's really important to get used to the venue and being in Weymouth gives you an idea of what it is going to be like next year.
"It's pretty scary that they are happening so soon but hopefully I'll be as prepared as possible for it after Sail for Gold and the test event."
