Rio de Janeiro, Brazil is set to welcome Irish crews among 339 sailors from 52 nations for the important Aquece Rio regatta – International Sailing Regatta 2015, the Olympic test event, from 15-22 August 2015. Representing Ireland in the Providence Resources sponsored team is Annalise Murphy in the Laser Radial, James Espey in the Laser Standard, 49er duo Ryan Seaton and Matt McGovern who have already qualified Ireland for Rio 2016 plus 49erfx campaigners Andrea Brewster and Saskia Tidey still seeking nation qualification.
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The Aquece Rio is the second sailing test event in preparation for the Rio 2016 Olympic Sailing Competition and sailors will be looking to stamp their authority one year out from the largest sporting event in the world.
Sailing's test event often acts as an indicator into who will be on the podium at the Olympic Games itself. In the build up to London 2012, the one year to go test event saw 18 eventual Olympic medallists finish on the podium with the remaining podium finishers demonstrating the attributes that it takes to become an Olympic medallist.
49er sailors Nathan Outteridge and Iain Jensen (AUS) were one of four crews who won the London test event before claiming an emphatic gold at the main event and they'll be looking to set a similar precedent in Rio even though they've had a mixed year.
After a silver medal at ISAF Sailing World Cup Hyères followed by a couple of results off the podium, including a fourth place at the 49er Open European Championship most recently, the pair are looking forward to build on their performance at the Test Event.
"The European Champs were the last event for us in Europe this year. After a second at the World Cup in Hyeres and sixth in Weymouth we were looking to try and get back up on to the podium, which unfortunately did not happen after a bad last day and dropping from first into fourth. But reflecting on the event as a whole, I think it was really good for us to sail well there, all but the last day, which gives us a lot of confidence for Rio in August," Outteridge said.
Since their victory at London 2012 Outteridge and Jensen have taken somewhat of a back seat as their training partners and Olympic silver medallists Peter Burling and Blair Tuke (NZL) commenced an unbeaten 49er run that includes 2014 test event gold, two world titles and four ISAF Sailing World Cup golds.
Burling and Tuke will have the favourites tag pinned on them during the test event and will look to continue their good form.
The Aquece Rio 49er fleet will feature 20 boats, the same number that will be present on the Rio 2016 startline ensuring perfect preparation for all teams involved.
Whilst focus can easily be put solely on the Australian and Kiwi teams the fleet is full of exceptional talent that have the capabilities to take gold.
Nico Delle Karth and Nikolaus Resch (AUT) took gold at ISAF Sailing World Cup Miami at the turn of the year and will pose a strong threat across the week. Denmark's Beijing 2008 Olympic gold medallist Jonas Warrer, sailing with Anders Thomsen has the experience and will be at the top of the pack throughout the week.
In addition, John Pink and Stu Bithell (GBR), Manu Dyen and Stephane Christidis (FRA), Ryan Seaton and Matt McGovern (IRL) and Erik Heil and Thomas Ploessel (GER) will all be targeting the podium.
The Aquece Rio – International Sailing Regatta allows the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) to evaluate and make key decisions in advance of making the final decisions that will govern the Rio 2016 Olympic Sailing Competition.
Six race courses will be tested throughout the week, three outside of Guanabara Bay and three inside. Courses outside include Pai, Copacabana and Niteroi whilst the inside courses are Pão de Açúcar, Ponte and Escola Naval. All will be tested throughout the week by the ten Olympic sailing events. Click here to view the racing areas.
Like the 49er, the 49erFX will feature 20 boats at Rio 2016 and with 19 boats on the test event start line conditions will be similar to Games time.
Brazil's Martine Grael and Kahena Kunze took gold at the 2014 test event and will be favourites to take another gold medal. Joining them in the fleet will be 2013 world champions Alex Maloney and Molly Meech (NZL), the consistent Danish duo Ida Marie Nielsen and Marie Olsen as well as Italians Giulia Conti and Francesca Clapcich (ITA).
The Finn fleet will see 20 competitors on the start line. All eyes will be on the in-form Giles Scott (GBR). Scott is on a run of 11 straight victories in ranked regattas, including the 2014 test event, and will be hard to beat on the Rio waters that he's become accustomed to. Aiming to upset the run will be Olympic silver medallist Jonas Hoegh Christensen (DEN), bronze medallist Jonathan Lobert (FRA) and home nation favourite Jorge Zarif (BRA).
The Men's and Women's RS:X fleets will also serve up some strong competition. 2014 Aquece Rio gold medallists Dorian van Rijsselberge (NED) and Charline Picon (FRA) return to Rio aiming to further demonstrate they are the pair to beat in the Men's and Women's windsurfer.
However, gunning to put their mark on things in the men's fleet will be Nick Dempsey (GBR), Pierre Le Coq (FRA), Byron Kokkalanis (GRE), Nimrod Mashiah (ISR) and Pawel Tarnowski (POL). Leading the charge in the Women's RS:X will be Blanca Manchon (ESP), Bryony Shaw (GBR), Maayan Davidovich (ISR), Flavia Tartaglini (ITA) and Lilian de Geus (NED).
Racing is scheduled to commence at 13:00 on Saturday 15 August with racing concluding on Saturday 22 August.
