Annalise Murphy confirms a return to Laser Radial

Annalise Murphy © Irish Sailing

Annalise Murphy confirms a return to Laser Radial; the decision follows the announcement last week that her 49erFX campaign with Katie Tingle had come to an end.

Annalise's return to a class which has brought her and Ireland so much success is not as straightforward as one might think. In her absence both Aoife Hopkins and Aisling Keller have been sailing the Laser Radial full time and have showed some promising potential on the world stage. With Ireland now qualified in the Laser Radial discipline, it will be an open trial using a number of international regattas to determine which candidate gets the nomination to represent the nation at the Tokyo Olympics next summer.

Annalise acknowledged the challenge ahead saying, "with trials starting early next year there is a lot of work to get through, however I've already been sailing the Radial and feel fresh in the boat and I'm really excited to be back."

Irish Sailing Head Coach Rory Fitzpatrick added, "Having coached Annalise up to the Rio Olympics it makes her transition into the Laser Radial squad pretty easy. Having Annalise back in the class will raise the standard for everyone."