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5th February 2021 At the double. Anthony O Leary of Crosshaven and Annalise Murphy of Dun Laoghaire are the only contenders to be Afloat.ie Sailors of the Year twice – himself in 2010 and 2014, and herself in 2012 and 2016 Credit: Robert Bateman and IOC In these long-lived times, a Silver Jubilee is not what it used to be in an era when Golden Jubilees, Centenaries, Tricentenaries and whatever you re having yourself are cascading around us in an almost continuous nostalgia-fest. Nevertheless the healthy Quarter Century of the Afloat.ie Sailor of the Year contest deserves celebration, as it has evolved since its inception to give a true reflection of Irish sailing in all its historic and extraordinary variety. And it has done this by being based on monthly awards which – at an early stage – weren t found to be enough to truly reflect our sport s exceptional diversity, and so in some months the adjudicators have allocated two or even three awards. ....
24th January 2021 Optimal conditions for the Irish Olympic Laser team training in Malta this month Credit: via Finn Lynch Sailing/Facebook The Olympic Federation of Ireland (OFI) continue to plan for a “very different type” of Olympic and Paralympic Games experience in Tokyo this summer. The OFI released a statement on Friday night after hosts Japan and the International Olympic Committee earlier stood firm on their commitment to host the Tokyo Olympics this year and denied a report of a possible cancellation. From an Irish Olympic sailing point of view, the planning for the Tokyo Olympic Regatta this July therefore also continues. ....
Olympic Sailor Mark Lyttle Pays Tribute to Laser Legend Bill O Hara OBE 14th January 2021 2018 Laser Grand Master World Champion and 1996 Olympian Mark Lyttle reflects on a lifetime sailing against his old rival and great friend Bill O Hara, who was awarded an OBE in the Queen s New Year s Honours List 2021. I first recall Bill at the 1978 Pimm s Irish Lasers Nationals at Lough Ree Yacht Club (actually sailed from Hodson Bay and yes, they did sponsor the Irish Laser class) but it wasn t on the race course. As a 15-year-old sailing what we now call a Standard rig as that s all there was, I was nowhere near the front of the fleet especially as a hurricane passed through during the regatta. But I do remember Bill was the centre of social activities ashore as a young university student. ....