Final Day Sailing London 2012 - Irish Olympic Sailors

Today was the final day of competition for the Irish sailors at the 2012 London Olympics. Last to sail on the Weymouth racecourses were Ger Owens and Scott Flanigan in the 470 class. The pair sailed their best day of the regatta to end on a high. They began Race 9 in 23rd but utilising pure skill and determination they climbed seven places to finish mid-fleet in 16th place.

Race 10 saw an outstanding performance from the duo. They lead the majority of the 27 boat fleet rounding the first mark in 7th place only to climb further up the fleet ultimately finishing in 5th. These two fantastic results meant the pair moved up four places to finish the Games in 23rd overall.

Sadly there were no medals for the Irish sailors at the 2012 Games but 22 year old Annalise Murphy came agonisingly close. She finished her Olympic debut, following a nail bitingly close medal race, in 4th overall; the best result for an Irish sailor since 1980. Peter O'Leary and David Burrows qualified for the Star medal race but were not medal contenders due to their accumulated points. They finished in 10th overall; the best result Ireland has had in the Star class.

In the 49er class, Ryan Seaton and Matt McGovern got off to a great start last week but the most physically demanding boat in the Games coupled with the relentless schedule of 15 races took its toll. The pair missed out on medal race qualification on the final day finishing in 14th overall; also the best result Ireland has had in that class. James Espey in the Laser class was the first of the Irish sailors to complete his regatta. He finished his Olympic debut in 36th overall.