In a composed heavy weather performance, Annalise Murphy scored a 5 and 2 today to lead the Olympic regatta overall going into tomorrow's rest day.
In a masterful display in races five and six, Murphy produced the same world beating form that saw her lift the European Radial title in 2013. The Dubliner has completed the half–way stage of the competition with an extremely consistent 1, 13, 4, 7, 5, 2 on the scoresheet.
With winds reaching over 20–knots on Rio's Ocean course today, the National Yacht Club star produced her best day on the water yet to lead the regatta by one point.
However, Anne-Marie Rindom (DEN) had an even better day with scores of 3,1 to move to within a point of Murphy.
It wasn't such a good outing for the reigning Olympic Champion Lijia Xu (CHN), whose scores of 8,12 have dropped the Chinese sailor down to fifth overall. An even bigger casualty was Evi van Acker (BEL), whose scores of 16,15 have dropped the 2012 bronze medallist to tenth overall. With just four races before the Medal Race, time is running out for van Acker to get back in contention.
After a hectic race five, where Annalise Murphy lost fourth place in the closing stages, a dramatic race six saw Anne-Marie Rindom (DEN) win followed by Annalise then FIN, SWE, LTU, NED, USA, ESP, GBR.
It puts things incredibly tight at the top of the table. One point behind Ireland's medal hope is Rindom (the only sailor without a result outside the top ten) and World Champion Marit Boumeester of Holland is third just a further point behind.
Four more races before Monday's final are forecasted to be sailed in lighter winds, adding to the drama of Ireland's Laser Radial medal chance. Results from Friday and Saturday will decide the top ten for the medal race climax with Annalise's performance to date putting her right in the frame.
Meanwhile, in the Laser class Carlow's Finn Lunch finished 18 and 27 respectively in his two races today and is 24 overall. He has a break tomorrow as well before resuming on Friday.