Irish Olympic Sailors Ryan Seaton & Matt McGovern Win Silver at ISAF World Cup In France

Irish Olympic sailors Ryan Seaton and Matt McGovern from Providence Team IRL have today (26 April) finished 2nd overall at the ISAF World Cup in Hyeres, France. The pair, who compete in the 49er class, sailed a total of 17 races over six consecutive days and against 79 of the world's top sailors to claim the Silver medal. An impressive fifteen top 10 race finishes was enough to put the duo eight points clear of 2012 Olympic Gold medallists Nathan Outteridge and Iain Jensen from Australia who finished 3rd overall. Kiwis Peter Burling and Blair Tuke, who finished 2nd in the 2012 Games, ultimately took the Gold.

This was the largest World Cup of the year with a total of 1,100 competitors over 12 Olympic and Paralympic classes. It was an important regatta, providing a good indicator of Seaton and McGovern's ranking among the best sailors in the world as they prepare for the 49er European Championships in July before the focal event of the season - the Olympic qualifier in Spain in September.

Ryan Seaton commented "We knew we could do it, we just had to get good starts and sail well. We have been consistent all week and that gave us confidence going in to today."

After racing Matt McGovern enthused "It feels absolutely amazing. Probably still waiting for it to sink in a little. It's been a great day with three really tight races and all to play for."

Annalise Murphy was also competing in a medal race today. The Laser Radial class had one double-points race in which Murphy finished 6th moving her up one place to finish 7thoverall from the 79 boat fleet. Commenting on her performance this week Annalise Murphy remarked "The Worlds and Olympic qualification in Santander this autumn is the main event of the year. All the other regattas are great race practice and good for figuring out what I need to work on in training in between events. This week has given me an insight on what I need to work on so when Santander comes around hopefully I'll be ready to have a good regatta."

Three other Irish teams also sailing at the World Cup. In the Paralympic Sonar class John Twomey, Ian Costelloe and Austin O'Carroll finished in 7th place overall. Andrea Brewster and Saskia Tidey finished a respectable 16th out of 42 boats. All the more impressive considering it's only their third regatta as a pairing. James Espey was sailing in the men's Laser Standard fleet of 123 and finished 71st.

ISA Performance Director James O'Callaghan commented "It's been a really positive week for Providence Team IRL. Obviously Ryan and Matt getting silver is a big breakthrough result for them and gives them huge confidence going forward. Development sailors Andrea Brewster and Saskia Tidey also gave an indication of their future potential by finishing a solid 16th."