You wonder is it time catching up, pressure. A combination of the two.
Or just a bad day at the office.
The latter I suspect. That was way, way below par for her.
Considering how good she was in the heat and had an extra days rest, you wouldn't think age was it alright.
Very sad for her, given the sacrifices, Covid bad timing etc.
For some reason, she seems freaked by the pressure of the Olympic games......never to have gotten near a final is crazy stuff, she's a double world champion in the sport.
I've watched many Olympics without a medal. 1988, 1996 (to all intents and purposes), 2004 so to have a gold and bronze so far is great.
We have McClellan, the boxers and there's often a surprise performer, to come.
In my head I'd Sanita for silver.
Very true.
Eamon Coughlan had it a little though his were 2 4th placings 1980, 1984.
Sonia had her 1996 troubles, a bug whatever.
I suppose the eyes of the world are on you more than a world championship in your particular sport.
She owes us nothing anyway, the only person she should feel bad for is herself. She's done a huge amount to raise the profile of women's rowing in Ireland. I hope she's okay, that must have felt even worse than London and Rio.
That's an awful shame for Puspure, but even though she won her heats she hasn't really looked convincing for the whole event. Wouldn't be surprised if it's a dose of the Sonias, the Olympics can do that to competitors. Had a bad feeling all event that she'd be squeezed out of the medals but I must say I thought she'd make the final no problem.
I had us down for five medals, including one gold, before the event, however I was anticipating three rowing medals and unfortunately we've ended up with just two. McClenaghan, Harrington and Aiden Walsh would be our best bets from here to get to five but if any of them miss out we will need an unexpected medal from somewhere else to reach that target.
The three golfers, Kurt Walker or something in showjumping would seem our best bets in that regard.
If we get a second gold (Harrington or McClenaghan perhaps), it would go down as a hugely successful Games.
There was a definite touch of Sonia in 1996 about Sanita tonight, as if the weight of the occasion simply got to her (unless of course there is an injury or illness we are totally unaware of).
Was she sick or injured earlier this year I wonder? She was missing for a good while.....perhaps there were issues there and it was never reported.
The head coach imposed a media ban a month ago so obviously something was going on.
Oh right. And there might also have been something up with the two lads Byrne and Doyle earlier this week, they looked way below par from day one.
I would agree in terms of medals - if we could pull a second gold from somewhere it would really make it a standout Olympics, it's close to a century since we had two different competitors win gold medals at the Olympics.
I'm quite enjoying the cartwheels the Irish media are going through to avoid mentioning Michelle Smith as far as they can during these games. The latest one I've seen is an article on the Examiner website profiling all of our previous gold medal winners - each one accompanied by a photo of the competitor, except Smith where there is just a photo of the medals around her neck but with her head cropped out of the picture. Obviously her achievements are massively tainted, but the medals were won and are unlikely to be ever taken back from her. Surely it would be better just to accept the results even if we all know they come with a huge asterisk, rather than this constant tip toeing around the issue?
Ireland finished second in Race 5 of the 49er class in sailing. Very good showing....they were leading not too far out from the finish.
I'm actually quite happy our media ignore Smith? Why celebrate an all but confirmed doper? She can fook off.
Yeah 2nd and 6th today solid day for them.
Dickson and Waddilove sailing their way into contention. Any sailing experts here? Do they have much of a shot?
I don't know them personally, or much about those boats - but going by their performances so far, I'd say so.
If they qualify for the medal race it's winner take all, and giving they've a1st and a 2nd already , they have to be in with a shout.....
fantastic win by the lads to grab our first gold of these games another would be nice😁
1st and 2nd for Annalise in races 7 and 8.
How many qualify for the medal race? She seems to be in 14th overall now?
Thats great news i think she needs to get into top 10 to qualify for the final? not many races left hope she does it
Great result bringing herself right back into contention for the medal race if she has another strong day tomorrow might just sneak in.
First time the winds have really blown this week and once they did Annalise was straight back up to the top of the field. Probably too much damage done unfortunately, but if it blows hard again tomorrow she might just sneak into the top 10 for the final, which would be good going from where she was before today.
49er in 7th overall out of 19. Looking good for a top 10 place but are a good way beyond the third place team at this stage. I'd expect a solid finishing position but no medal based on results up to now.
That rowing was worth setting the alarm for. Congrats to the two lads! Feel for Sanita (again). Great to see Annalise going well. She’s not far off a final spot.
The medal race isn’t winner take all. Scores carry forward but points are doubled for the medal race. If the lads have a few more top 5 finishes they definitely will contend for a medal. Big if though.
My bad, I thought they started with a clean sheet.
My tired eyes read this as
"My bed, I thought they started with a clean sheet"
🤣
Bad news from the 49er guys - Prof on RTE just now saying they're being protested over a harness being overweight - if that carries through, they risk disqualification from both of today's races 😱
How did it happen though that the harness was overweight?
Absolutely no idea!
They were adamant that this equipment wasn't new, had been used in previous races, and would have been measured before.
They're in the protest/appeal process now, so we'll just have to see what the outcome is......
Fingers crossed for them!
