After an epic ten race series, Ireland's Annalise Murphy goes into Monday's medal race with no guarantee of a medal but the confidence in knowing she has sailed the most consistent series of her career. Where many have fallen, including the London 2012 Gold medallist Lilja Xu of China who finished in 18th position, on–form Murphy has put in a most impressive performance against everything Rio and the world's toughest female fleet had to throw at her. Now she has the chance to win Ireland's first sailing medal in 36–years (Read more about 1980's Silver medal in Tallinn).
The top five positions going in to Monday's crucial medal race are:
1 | NED | Marit Bouwmeester | 47 | |
2 | DEN | Anne-Marie Rindom | 55 | |
3 | IRL | Annalise Murphy | 57 | |
4 | BEL | Evi Van Acker | 66 | |
5 | FIN | Tuula Tenkanen | 68.6 |
So what are the best and worst results for Annalise to medal?
Well, no matter what, a fifth place finish will earn her at least bronze and could even win the gold if the Dutch girl finishes in 10th place and the Danish girl is not better than 6th.
If Annalise finishes 6th or worse, then she cannot afford to be more than 4 places behind the Belgian sailor.
If she finishes 7th or worse and is within 5 places of the Belgian sailor, then she cannot be more than 5 places behind Finland.
With a first place she takes at least a silver medal, and, if the Dutch competitor is more than 5 places behind, that silver become gold.
Between 1st and 5th and ahead of the Dane guarantees at least a silver.
MEDAL RACE SCENARIOS FOR ANNALISE MURPHY (IRL)