Annalise Murphy made the staggering revelation she had to take pre-emptive measures to combat seasickness as she grabbed top spot in the Laser Radial class at Rio 2016.
Murphy occupied second place overnight and excelled in heavy-weather conditions when the action resumed in Guanabara Bay.
The 26-year-old finished just seven seconds off race winner Anne-Marie Lindom of Denmark in her second race of the day, which was delayed due to the inclement weather, while she finished fifth in the first race of the day.
Murphy’s affliction has to be regarded as particularly unfortunate for a woman who spends so much of her life in a boat, with the Rathfarnham woman admitting: ““It was difficult out there, the waves were so big. I get seasick, so I had to put seasickness bands on my wrists to stop me getting sick!”
But unlike many of her rivals, Murphy thrived in the choppy waters, and said: “It was really cool conditions; big waves, a lot of wind, not what I’ve been preparing for here in Rio. I’ve been preparing for a light-wind regatta.
“To get a day like that, it was awesome. Pretty difficult, but a lot of fun.”
Murphy may not have been able to keep her feet on the ground in a literal sense, but she refused to get carried away by her exploits after the fifth and six races of the 10-race series.
“I made a few mistakes in the first race which put me behind, but overall I’m just happy with how I’ve been racing and happy that I’m still being consistent,” she added.
“There are still four more races to go and then the medal race. Anything can happen.
“I was in this position in London as well and it didn’t end up the way I wanted it to.
“I think I just need to stick to the processes and what I’ve been doing so far because that’s been working and, hopefully, in two more days’ time I’ll be in the mix to get a medal.”
Seasick @Annalise_Murphy enjoying Rio experience https://t.co/0xtivQjV4X
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) August 10, 2016
Four years on from London 2012, the National Yacht Club’s brightest star admits her previous Olympic experience has conferred a significant advantage on her, especially in terms of maintaining her composure.
“It’s helped me a lot,” she said.
“I’m a lot more relaxed about it. I’m just trying to enjoy the whole experience and not get stressed out about results or anything like that because I know that I have to have a lot of good races.
“I can’t mess up on one day.
“I’m really enjoying it, I’m having a good time and I’m not too worried about the overall result.
“I’m just looking at every day and trying to do the right things each day and that’s what’s working.”
Murphy’s rest day will be just that, with the fatigued sailor admitting: ”I’m looking forward to a day off tomorrow.
“I think I’ll probably just lie on a bed all day! I’m really tired.
“It’s going to be tricky, I think the last two days are going to be difficult races and I’m just going to try and do my best.”
