Providence Team Ireland Set For Battle At World Cup In France

Irish sailors will be out in force at the ISAF Sailing World Cup Hyères, France this week (22-26 April) in the re-vamped world-series, which welcomes the world's finest sailors to competition.

This year's Providence Team Ireland comprises Irish Olympian, Annalise Murphy in the Laser Radial; World Cup Silver medallists and Olympians, Ryan Seaton and Matt Mc Govern in the 49er class; Olympic hopefuls, Andrea Brewster and Saskia Tidey in the 49erFX class; and three-man Paralympic Sonar sailing team, John Twomey, Ian Costello and Austin O'Carroll.

ISAF Sailing World Cup Hyères marks the first occasion where fleets are decided based on primary qualification through the ISAF world ranking lists, culminating in a season-ending final in Abu Dhabi. Racing for the Olympic Classes will run from 22-26 April, with Paralympic Classes competition from 22-25 April.

James O'Callaghan, ISA High Performance Director says of the event:

"Hyères is a milestone event on the World Cup circuit, where the best sailors race against the best in their class in advance of the Olympics next year."

"This year should even more challenging for our Sailors with the talent concentrated into just 40 of the best crews in each of the classes, and we're expecting a tough fight to the finish."