Providence Team IRL launched for Rio 2016

by Rachel Solon, Irish Sailing Association 11 Jul 2013 22:42 BST 11 July 2013

Providence Team IRL launched for Rio 2016 (l to r) Rory Fitzpatrick ISA, Alan Crosbie ISA, Ian Costello, Sonar, James Espey, Laser, Matt McGovern, 49er, James O'Callaghan ISA, Annalise Murphy, Laser Radial, John Twomey, Sonar & Providence's Tony O'Reilly © Finbarr O'Rourke

The Irish Sailing Association have announced that the Irish oil and gas exploration and production company Providence Resources P.l.c., are to sponsor the Irish Sailing Team for a four year period in the run up to the Olympic Games in Rio in 2016. This sponsorship follows a six month deal in 2012, which provided the team with additional resources in preparation for the London Games.

The Irish sailing team had their most successful Olympics for thirty years in 2012 with 4th, 10th and 14th finishes.

Speaking at the announcement Providence Resources, Chief Executive, Tony O'Reilly, said "Providence Resources were so proud of the Irish sailing team at the Games in 2012 and we know they can achieve so much more. We want to provide the team with the support to reach their goals in 2016".

The Irish sailing team will be named Providence Team IRL for the four year period and joint branding will be rolled out over the coming weeks.

Responding on behalf of the ISA, Alan Crosbie, Vice Chairman ISA Olympic Steering Group commented "We are delighted with the commitment and confidence shown by Providence Resources in our sailors. We very much appreciated the support they provided prior to London 2012 and this new partnership will offer a more secure training platform four years out from the games".

The 2016 sailing team members include:

Olympic
Annalise Murphy, (Laser Radial)
Ryan Seaton & Matt McGovern, (49er)
James Espey (Laser)

Paralympic
John Twomey (Sonar)
Ian Costello (Sonar)

A number of other campaigns are currently in training to reach qualification for 2016 including two campaigns in the new all-female class 49er FX.

Commenting on the announcement James O'Callaghan, Performance Director, ISA stated "It is a real boost for our team to partner with Providence Resources for four-year. We can now really push on from the platform Irish Sports Council funding and guidance given to the programme thus far. The sponsorship from Providence means we can spend more time at the RIO venue and increase contact time our sailors have with the coaching team".

2013 is an important year for Irish Paralympic and Olympic sailors as it will be the only year that they will be competing in an international competition in their home waters prior to Rio 2016. The IFDS (International Federation of Disabled Sailing) World Championships will be held in Kinsale from 22 – 30 August and John Twomey 10 time Paralympian and the current President of the IFDS will be representing Ireland. The following week (30 Aug - 6 Sept) Dublin Bay will play host to the Laser European & World Championships, which comprises: