Lara Gillespie, making her Olympic debut, delivered an impressive performance in the Women’s Omnium at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, finishing 10th overall. As the final Team Ireland athlete to compete at the Games, Gillespie showcased her talent in the last race at the Saint Quentin-en-Yvelines velodrome, concluding her Olympic campaign with a top-ten finish.

The Omnium, a challenging event that consists of four races in just three hours, featured 22 riders vying for Olympic medals. Gillespie’s journey began with the Scratch Race, where she completed the 7.5km course in 15th place, earning 12 points.

Her standout moment came in the Tempo Race, where she secured a crucial lap gain and four sprint victories, propelling her to first place in this event and adding 40 points to her tally.

In the Elimination Race, Gillespie’s strong performance continued as she finished ninth, bringing her total score to 76 points, just 20 points shy of a bronze medal.

"I was hoping for more of course but I gave everything I could. I believe I can get a medal one day" – 23-year-old Lara Gillespie finished 10th in the track cycling omnium, winning the tempo race, at her first Olympics
Updates https://t.co/esPY6j4Tgs#Paris2024 #Olympics pic.twitter.com/qFXL5huuij

— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) August 11, 2024

The final Points Race saw Gillespie gain an early lap, adding another 20 points to her score. With fierce competition among the top ten, the leaderboard remained fluid, but Gillespie maintained her position and finished 10th overall.

At just 23 years old, Gillespie demonstrated immense potential and resilience. Reflecting on her Olympic experience, she expressed a mix of pride and determination: “I was hoping for a top-five result, but I’m proud of how I raced. I was brave, took chances, and gave everything. There’s a lot to improve on, but also many positives to take away. I’m looking forward to the next four years.”

Gillespie’s performance in Paris caps off a successful week, where she also made history as part of the first Women’s Team Pursuit squad to represent Ireland at the Olympics, setting a new national record. She also competed in the Women’s Madison alongside Alice Sharpe.

As the Paris 2024 Olympic Games come to a close, Gillespie’s journey marks the beginning of what promises to be a bright future in international cycling. Having already won gold in the Omnium at the UEC Under 23 European Championships last year, and finishing just off the podium at the 2024 UEC European Championships, she is poised for even greater achievements in the years ahead.

Jennifer Valente of the USA claimed her second consecutive Omnium Olympic Gold, while Poland’s Daria Pikulik took silver, and New Zealand’s Ally Wollaston secured bronze. Gillespie’s top ten finish solidifies her status as one of the rising stars in women’s track cycling.

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In a stunning display of athleticism, Ireland’s 4x400m relay team has advanced to the final of the Olympic Games, making history as the first Irish women’s relay team to do so. Competing in the heats this morning in Paris, the team—comprising Sophie Becker, Phil Healy, Kelly McGrory, and Sharlene Mawdsley—clocked an impressive 3:25.05, securing third place behind Jamaica (3:24.92 SB) and the Netherlands (3:25.03), and claiming one of the automatic qualification spots.

Wexford’s Sophie Becker set the pace with her fastest-ever relay split (50.90), handing the baton to Bandon’s Phil Healy, who maintained the team’s position through a determined leg. Becker’s performance was the fastest of all opening legs by half a second.

Donegal’s Kelly McGrory followed, delivering a remarkable Olympic debut with her fastest relay leg to date, before passing the baton to Tipperary’s Sharlene Mawdsley. Mawdsley, renowned for her strong finishes, anchored the team with a final leg of 49.65, ensuring their place in the final.

A 49.74-second final leg from Sharlene Mawdsley secured third for Ireland and a place in Saturday's women's 4x400m relay final
Live on @RTE2 and @RTEPlayer
https://t.co/XnOP6grnB7
Live updates https://t.co/JcS0y4dHUk#Paris2024 #Olympics pic.twitter.com/Xo529Bpnld

— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) August 9, 2024

The team expressed their excitement and pride after the race:

“It’s unbelievable to come away as Olympic finalists. That was our goal coming in here. We knew the draw was tough, but to secure an automatic qualification early in the morning is just fantastic,” said Phil Healy.

Kelly McGrory added, “I knew I had to go out hard from the start. We passed the baton alongside the Dutch, and my goal was to be ahead at the 200m mark, especially to set Sharlene up well. I’m so happy with how it went. All the girls ran brilliantly, and we got the job done.”

Sophie Becker reflected on her performance: “I’m absolutely delighted. It was challenging not knowing how Jamaica was performing, so I focused on staying close. The repechage helped a lot; I felt great after my race a few days ago and was eager to go again. The result speaks for itself; the repechage was definitely worth it!”

Sharlene Mawdsley shared her thoughts on their historic achievement: “The girls always say I look so composed on the last leg, but inside, I’m constantly deciding when to make my move. That’s what we train for—to handle those moments. I trust myself in the last 100m of a relay now, and I just charged for home.”

Phil Healy concluded with praise for the supporters: “The atmosphere was electric, and it’s all thanks to the traveling Irish fans. Rhasidat was right—it really did feel like Morton Stadium out there! The roar Sophie got at the start was unbelievable, and the support from back home has been incredible. It’s the closest we’ll ever get to a ‘home Games’.”

"We said we were going to do it, we did it!" –
Sophie Becker, Phil Healy, Kelly McGrory and Sharlene Mawdsley react to qualifying for the 4x400m relay final
Live on @RTE2 and @RTEPlayer
https://t.co/XnOP6grnB7
Live updates https://t.co/JcS0y4dHUk#Paris2024 #Olympics pic.twitter.com/YoTRuMGO94

— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) August 9, 2024

This historic performance sets the stage for an exciting final, as Ireland’s 4x400m relay team prepares to compete for Olympic glory.

The post Watch Replay – Ireland’s 4x400m Relay Team Secures Historic Spot in Olympic Final appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

**GOLF**
Leona Maguire and Stephanie Meadow will begin their Women’s Individual Golf Singles tournament at Le Golf National on Wednesday. The duo, who previously represented Team Ireland in Rio and Tokyo, aim for medals at Paris 2024.

Meadow tees off at 8am Irish time, followed by Maguire at 11:17am.

Reflecting on the tournament, Maguire remarked, “It’s been really cool to cheer on the rest of Team Ireland and we’re excited to get going tomorrow. It’s going to be a really great test and there will be big crowds cheering us on, so we’ll do our best to give them some good golf to cheer about.”

Meadow added, “It’s always a great feeling putting on the Ireland uniform and we’re both very excited and very honored to be here for a third time. It’s a great golf course and both of us feel good, so it’s about believing in ourselves now and making the country proud.”

**ATHLETICS**
Three Irish athletes will compete at the Stade de France on day twelve of the Olympic Games.

Sarah Lavin, one of Team Ireland’s flagbearers at the opening ceremony, will compete in the Women’s 100m Hurdles heats at her second Games. The Limerick athlete from Emerald Athletics Club will race at around 9:15am, aiming for a top-three finish to advance to the semi-final.

Brian Fay, the first quadruplet to represent Ireland at the Olympics, will participate in the Men’s 5000m heats at 10:10am. The Raheny Shamrock AC runner needs to finish in the top eight to advance directly to the final.

Mark English from Donegal, now a two-time Olympian, will compete in the Men’s 800m. Having set two new Irish records this season, the qualified doctor aims for a top-three finish in heat two at 11:03am to secure a semi-final spot.

Sophie O’Sullivan and Sarah Healy will compete in the repechage of the Women’s 1500m. O’Sullivan, who achieved a personal best in her heat this morning, will race at 11:45am, followed by Healy at 11:57am. The top three from each race will advance to the semi-finals.

Rhasidat Adeleke will be the focus on Wednesday evening as she competes in the Women’s 400m semi-finals. She will race in the first of three semi-finals at 7:45pm, with the top two from each semi-final, along with the next two fastest times, advancing to the final.

**TAEKWONDO**
Dubliner Jack Woolley, the first Irish Taekwondo Olympian in Tokyo, will compete in his second Games at the Grand Palais in Paris. Woolley, from South Dublin Taekwondo club in Tallaght, faces Gashin Magomedov of Azerbaijan in the Men’s 58kg last 16 match at 11:48am Irish time. Magomedov, a bronze medalist at the European Championships and a former junior world silver medalist, has faced Woolley before, with each winning once.

**SAILING**
The medal race in Marseilles, featuring Carlow’s Finn Lynch from the National Yacht Club, has been rescheduled due to light winds. Lynch qualified in 10th place for the Men’s Dinghy race. In the Medal Race, points are doubled and added to the series standings to determine the final positions. The best possible outcome for Lynch is an eighth-place finish.

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The Paris Olympics will soon come to a close, and like past multi-sport competitions, there were good parts and less good parts. The best thing about the Games, of course, was that it all went through without any major problems. There were some serious concerns before the competition started, but fortunately these concerns have been allayed, and things appear to be going very smoothly as we head into its final days.

However, as with every competition there were some things that could have been done better, and these should serve as lessons learned for future Olympiads. What is clear is that the Games are retaining their exciting nature. You can even wager on your favorite team through Mister Green. Give it a try and see how you do.

Now, let’s take a closer look at the good and the bad of the Olympics, both in Paris and for Olympics yet to come.

Things to be proud of

In general, when an Olympic Games goes over without a hitch, that is something to be proud of. There was a fair amount of concern before the Games started that there might be a major incident. Terrorist threats were noted, and a bizarre incident took place that disrupted several major rail lines in France just as the competition was getting set to begin. But fortunately it was resolved fairly quickly, and there have not been any major incidents since then.

Paris also managed several other feats: They held what is being called the “greenest” Olympics in history, with the French having created sustainable facilities for the Games. This includes having used 100% renewable electricity, sleeping quarters were made from renewable materials, and meal options included twice as many plant-based options as in previous Olympiads.

This Olympics also saw other firsts. It was the first Games to see complete gender parity among participants, with as many women participating in different sports as men. And this goes for both the traditional Olympics and the paralympics.

Beyond this, The City of Light was able to provide world-famous French hospitality, open the doors of its renowned restaurants, cafes, and tourist spots to visitors and athletes alike, and generally pull off a show to be remembered.

What was less good

Like in any Olympiad, of course, there were a few things that could have been better. The French had proclaimed the Seine as an official swimming area as soon as they won the bid to host the Games, but cleaning it up proved to be an enormous task. The Parisian river is notoriously dirty, and even continuous efforts over the course of several years to clean it did not provide the results that the French were looking for.

There were also organizational problems that created embarrassment for athletes from several different countries. During the opening ceremony, the flags of North and South Korea were confused. The Olympic flag was also raised upside down at one point. And an effort to recreate the ancient Olympics by creating a Greek mythological-like scene replete with references to Greek Gods instead appeared to be a mockery of The Last Supper and angered many Christians.

Live and learn

For the most part, the good far outweighed the bad in this Olympics. Perhaps the thing that the French can most be proud of is the fact that they held the most cost-beneficial Olympics since 1984. Olympics can be notoriously wasteful for many host countries, and the French did a better job than most of keeping costs low, reusing old facilities, and creating sustainable quarters wherever possible.

The world of sports continues to get more and more exciting. This year’s Olympics saw the addition of four new sports. Other major sporting events similarly continue to grow and present greater possibilities. Another thing that is growing rapidly in recent periods is worldwide knowledge of sports. Thanks to the plethora of forums, information and statistical sites, and other related portals, people can educate themselves on what is happening in the sports world easily.

The future will tell

We will see how multi-sporting competitions such as the Olympics shape up in the future. The Paris Olympics have certainly set a precedent for sustainability and cost savings. The 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles will also see re-used facilities as this city also hosted the 1984 Games. Hopefully, with each successive event, organizers will refine their methods more and more, and future competitions will make the most of their opportunities.

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Daniel Coyle and Shane Sweetnam’s strong starts were undone by the difficult one-and-a-half meter jumps. The intense competition saw Germany’s Christian Kukuk, the Netherlands’ Maikel van der Vleuten, and Switzerland’s Steve Guerdat advancing to a jump-off for gold after their clear runs.

Competing towards the end of the event increased the pressure on Coyle and Sweetnam. Coyle’s first-ever Olympic run nearly ended perfectly, but his horse, Legacy, hit the rails four times on the final line, forcing them to retire at the last fence. Sweetnam’s horse, James Kann Cruz, also struggled, hitting the rails on two out of three jumps on the fourth line.

Coyle finished with 16 penalties, and Sweetnam with 12. Despite these setbacks, both riders delivered clear runs in the preliminary rounds to secure their spots in the individual show jumping final, highlighting their skill and determination.

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**9:05am**
– Athletics, Women’s 1500m, Round 1, Ciara Mageean
– Athletics, Women’s 1500m, Round 1, Sarah Healy
– Athletics, Women’s 1500m, Round 1, Sophie O’Sullivan

**10:20am**
– Athletics, Women’s 400m, Repechage, Sophie Becker
– Athletics, Women’s 400m, Repechage, Sharlene Mawdsley

**2:43pm**
– Sailing, Men’s Dinghy, Finn Lynch – Medal Race

**4:20pm**
– Track Cycling, Women’s Team Pursuit, Qualifying

**10:06pm**
– Boxing, Women’s Lightweight (60kg) FINAL, Kellie Harrington V Wenlu Yang (CHN)

The post Tuesday 6th August Olympic Schedule – Kelli Harrington fight time appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

A Promising Start

Great Britain’s athletes made an immediate impact at the Games, starting with a bronze in women’s synchronised 3m springboard diving, which set the stage for a series of medal wins across various disciplines​. This early success was a positive indicator of the team’s preparedness and competitive spirit.

Medal Tally and Highlights

So far, Team GB’s medal distribution reflects both depth and breadth in talent across different disciplines:

Among these, notable gold medal victories include triumphs in team eventing and standout performances by athletes like Tom Pidcock in men’s mountain biking and Alex Yee in the triathlon, who demonstrated remarkable resilience and skill​.

Standout Performances

Several British athletes have turned in remarkable performances. For instance, Tom Daley added another silver to his illustrious career in diving, while swimmer Adam Peaty continued to build on his legacy with a silver in the 100m breaststroke. In rowing, Great Britain excelled with multiple medals, including three golds, which showcased their dominance and strategic prowess in this discipline.

Looking Ahead

With several competition days still on the horizon, the Olympic odds for Team GB securing additional medals remain high. Athletes are poised to compete in highly anticipated events such as athletics, gymnastics, and more cycling events. These are not only pivotal moments for increasing the medal tally but also opportunities for Team GB competitors to reach personal milestones and possibly set new Olympic records.

The ongoing support and rigorous training back home have well-prepared these athletes for their moment on the world stage, promising more thrilling performances and potential podium finishes as the Games progress.

Conclusion

The 2024 Paris Olympics have been a stage for heroic feats and intense competitions for Team GB. The athletes’ dedication and hard work are evident in every event they participate in. As we look forward to the remaining competitions, there’s a palpable sense of excitement about what further successes the British team will achieve. Their performance so far has not only brought them medals but has also inspired and uplifted the nation, showcasing the unifying power of sport.

For continued updates and detailed event coverage, the sporting community remains tuned to the spirited performances of Team GB as they strive for Olympic glory.

The post Team Great Britain at the Paris 2024 Olympics: A Medal Rush and Future Prospects appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

Wednesday, July 31, 2024

Team Ireland showcased their talent in boxing, badminton, and sailing on the fifth afternoon of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

**Boxing**
Reigning Olympic champion Kellie Harrington delivered a stellar performance, defeating Colombia’s Valdes Pana with a unanimous 5-0 decision. Harrington’s victory propels her to the semi-finals in the lightweight division (60kg), securing at least a bronze medal. This triumph marks Harrington as the fourth Irish athlete to win medals at two separate Olympic Games, joining the ranks of Dr. Pat O’Callaghan, Paddy Barnes, and Paul O’Donovan.

Harrington will compete in the semi-finals on Saturday, August 3rd, against the winner of the match between Beatriz Ferreira and Chelsey Heijnen.

Jude Gallagher, making his Olympic debut, was defeated in the last 16 of the Featherweight (57kg) category by Carlo Paalam of the Philippines.

**Sailing**
In the Men’s Skiff events in Marseilles, Robert Dickson and Seán Waddilove had a mixed day, finishing 11th in race 10 and 12th in race 11, but secured a crucial 2nd place in race 12. This performance qualifies them for the medal race, where they currently stand second overall.

**Badminton**
Olympic debutant Rachael Darragh faced a tough opponent in Carolina Marin, the Rio 2016 gold medalist. Darragh was defeated 2-0, exiting the Games at the group stages. Meanwhile, Nhat Nguyen lost his final group match against defending champion Viktor Axelsen with a score of 21-13, 21-10.

**Rowing**
Aifric Keogh and Fiona Murtagh were unable to advance to the final, finishing sixth in their semi-final race. Despite the disappointment, they remain committed to showcasing their best in the B final.

Upcoming Events
– **Boxing:** Aoife O’Rourke (Women’s 75kg) vs. Elzbieta Wojcik (POL) at 8:52 PM
– **Swimming:** Mona McSharry in the 200m Breaststroke semi-final at 9:03 PM

**Results Summary – July 31, 2024**
– **Badminton:** Nhat Nguyen lost to Viktor Axelsen (21-13, 21-10)
– **Rowing:** Ross Corrigan & Nathan Timoney finished 3rd in semi-final, through to final
– **Swimming:** Mona McSharry qualified for the 200m Breaststroke semi-finals
– **Rowing:** Fiona Murtagh & Aifric Keogh placed 6th in their semi-final
– **Rowing:** Men’s Lightweight Double Sculls won their semi-final
– **Badminton:** Rachael Darragh lost to Carolina Marin (21-5, 21-5)
– **Sailing:** Robert Dickson & Seán Waddilove qualified for the medal race in the Men’s Skiff
– **Boxing:** Kellie Harrington defeated Angie Paola Valdes Pana (5-0)

Upcoming Schedule – August 1, 2024

– **Rowing:** Women’s Double Sculls B final at 9:30 AM
– **Rowing:** Women’s Four B final at 9:54 AM
– **Equestrian:** Jumping Team Qualifier at 10:00 AM
– **Golf:** Men’s Individual, Round 1 starts at 10:10 AM
– **Rowing:** Men’s Double Sculls FINAL at 10:30 AM
– **Swimming:** Men’s 50m Freestyle heats at 10:32 AM and 10:37 AM
– **Sailing:** Men’s Dinghy races at 11:15 AM and 1:20 PM
– **Hockey:** Ireland vs. Argentina at 12:15 PM
– **Sailing:** Men’s Skiff Medal Race at 1:43 PM
– **Canoe Slalom:** Men’s K1 semi-final at 2:30 PM
– **Sailing:** Women’s Dinghy races at 2:35 PM and 4:43 PM
– **Canoe Slalom:** Men’s K1 final at 4:30 PM
– **Boxing:** Women’s 50kg Daina Moorehouse vs. Wassila Lkhadiri (FRA) at 7:00 PM
– **Boxing:** Jack Marley (92kg) vs. Davlat Boltaev (TJK) at 9:08 PM

Stay tuned for more updates on Team Ireland’s performance at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

The post 2024 Paris Olympics : Wednesday review and Thursday Schedule appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

The 2024 Olympic men’s golf event begins Thursday, August 1, with the opening round at Le Golf National outside Paris. Full men’s Olympic golf tee times for Thursday’s first round are available at the bottom of this post.

Featured Tee Time for Round 1

After three years of anticipation, the men’s golf event returns to the 2024 Olympics in Paris, marking the third-consecutive Summer Games to feature the sport.

In the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, American golfer Xander Schauffele claimed the gold medal. With two major wins in 2024, Schauffele has solidified his position as one of the top players in the world, setting him up for a strong bid to defend his gold medal in Paris. Schauffele tees off in Thursday’s opening round at 5:55 a.m. ET, paired with Viktor Hovland and Jon Rahm.

You can watch Thursday’s first round of the men’s Olympic golf event on Golf Channel starting at 3:00 a.m. ET. Peacock will offer a live simulcast of Golf Channel’s coverage online.

Check out the complete Round 1 tee times for the 2024 Olympic golf event below.

2024 Olympic Golf Tee Times for Thursday: Men’s Opening Round (ET)

– **3:00 a.m.** – Victor Perez (France), Matti Schmid (Germany), C.T. Pan (Chinese Taipei)
– **3:11 a.m.** – Thorbjørn Olesen (Denmark), Alejandro Tosti (Argentina), Joaquin Niemann (Chile)
– **3:22 a.m.** – Emiliano Grillo (Argentina), Alex Noren (Sweden), Ryan Fox (New Zealand)
– **3:33 a.m.** – Min Woo Lee (Australia), Corey Conners (Canada), Christian Bezuidenhout (South Africa)
– **3:44 a.m.** – Wyndham Clark (USA), Hideki Matsuyama (Japan), Tommy Fleetwood (Great Britain)
– **3:55 a.m.** – Sepp Straka (Austria), Jason Day (Australia), Tom Kim (Korea)
– **4:11 a.m.** – Scottie Scheffler (USA), Rory McIlroy (Ireland), Ludvig Åberg (Sweden)
– **4:22 a.m.** – Adrien Dumont de Chassart (Belgium), Daniel Hillier (New Zealand), Guido Migliozzi (Italy)
– **4:33 a.m.** – Kiradech Aphibarnrat (Thailand), Gavin Green (Malaysia), Gaganjeet Bhullar (India)
– **4:44 a.m.** – Phachara Khongwatmai (Thailand), Abraham Ancer (Mexico), Dou Zecheng (China)
– **4:55 a.m.** – Yuan Yechun (China), Camilo Villegas (Colombia), Matteo Manassero (Italy)
– **5:06 a.m.** – Adrian Meronk (Poland), Sami Valimaki (Finland), David Puig (Spain)
– **5:17 a.m.** – Erik van Rooyen (South Africa), Keita Nakajima (Japan), Kevin Yu (Chinese Taipei)
– **5:33 a.m.** – Stephan Jaeger (Germany), Nicolai Højgaard (Denmark), Thomas Detry (Belgium)
– **5:44 a.m.** – Byeong Hun An (Korea), Shane Lowry (Ireland), Nick Taylor (Canada)
– **5:55 a.m.** – Xander Schauffele (USA), Viktor Hovland (Norway), Jon Rahm (Spain)
– **6:06 a.m.** – Matthieu Pavon (France), Collin Morikawa (USA), Matt Fitzpatrick (Great Britain)
– **6:17 a.m.** – Shubhankar Sharma (India), Rafael Campos (Puerto Rico), Carlos Ortiz (Mexico)
– **6:28 a.m.** – Nico Echavarria (Colombia), Mito Pereira (Chile), Kris Ventura (Norway)
– **6:39 a.m.** – Fabrizio Zanotti (Paraguay), Joel Girrbach (Switzerland), Tapio Pulkkanen (Finland)

Don’t miss the action as the world’s best golfers compete for Olympic gold at the 2024 Paris Games.

The post Mcilroy and Lowry tee-times for Thursday Olympic Golf appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

For a third consecutive day in Marseille (Tuesday, 30 July), Ireland’s Robert Dickson (Howth Yacht Club) and Sean Waddilove (Skerries Sailing Club) are holding second place overall in the men’s skiff event at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

The third day brought markedly different wind conditions, ranging from fresh and gusty to near calm, causing high scores for almost all the top contenders.

Dickson and Waddilove experienced mixed fortunes, starting with a fourth-place finish, followed by a 13th place, and ending with a ninth. These results were enough to maintain their second-place position, while the New Zealand leaders exchanged places with Spain, who moved from third to first.

The fourth and final day of fleet racing is scheduled to begin tomorrow at 1pm (GMT), with three more races concluding the series. The top ten boats will advance to Thursday’s short medal race final.

With another day of mixed conditions expected, anything is possible. For Dickson and Waddilove, the key will be to continue taking one race at a time and not let the significance of the occasion overwhelm their emotions.

“I feel the same as I did at the beginning of the week; I think our process is to just take it race by race and not get too emotional with everything, which seems to be working,” said Sean Waddilove. “I think the best way to stay on the results card at the top end is to stay pretty neutral; you can’t get too happy or too disappointed, especially on a day like today with massive ups and downs in the fleet.”

As the Dublin crew sailed ashore, they were greeted by a loud roar from the crowd gathered along the pier wall at Marina Roucas Blanc, where 150,000 spectator tickets have reportedly been sold for the sailing events.

“My Mum and Dad, my girlfriend, and my family are there. I can barely make them out sometimes because there are so many in a big crowd,” said Dickson after coming ashore. “It’s really nice to see everyone here supporting us, and they’re probably the loudest people on the pier, which is quite nice.”

The conclusion of the Men’s Skiff on Thursday also marks the opening day of racing in both the Men’s Dinghy, featuring Finn Lynch (National Yacht Club), and the Women’s Dinghy, where Eve McMahon (Howth Yacht Club) is making her Olympic debut.

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