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The Jerries

Meet Ireland's Olympic Team: Annalise Murphy

The Dubliner just missed out on a medal in London and is putting in the work to medal this time around.

Event: Laser Radial sailing.

Who is she? At 26, Murphy is Ireland’s leading sailor and is one of just two solo competitors being sent from this island to Rio.

Annalise Murphy Morgan Treacy / INPHO Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO

Where’s she from? Murphy hails from Rathfarnham in Dublin and counts Dun Laoighaire as her home port.

Olympic CV: Murphy finished fourth on her Olympic debut four years ago, the chasing pack eventually forcing her out of the podium places.

Annalise Murphy James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

Road to Rio: In the spring, Murphy won the Irish selection trials in Mexico, seeing off Howth’s Aoife Hopkins by 33 points.

When does she start? Murphy and the Laser Radial competition will get under way on Monday 8 August from 5pm.

Annalise Murphy

Where can I follow her?

With a very scenic perch for her everyday training, Murphy is a great follow on Twitter @AnnaliseMurphy and on Facebook here.

What she says: “Of course, the water doesn’t look nice and when you get splashed in the face by it, you do wonder what you’re getting splashed in the face with.

“But you just have to get on with it and try to not let it affect your racing. For me, the bigger concern is a plastic bag or some kind of rubbish getting stuck on my centre board and my rudder, which would slow me down during racing. That’s the bigger concern.”

Medal chances: Murphy has been to the host city nine times to train and get a feel for its particular charms. However, the unique and extremely variable conditions in Rio suggest it will favour more experienced heads among the field.

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And here’s something you probably didn’t know… Murphy is a second generation Olympian. Her mother Cathy MacAleavey also sailed for Ireland in ’88.

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