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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Sport
Michael Scully

Sailors pick off first place in dramatic finish while Annalise Murphy moves into top 20 in Tokyo

Sailors Robert Dickson and Sean Waddilove couldn't have made a better start to their Olympic bid in the 49er class.

The pair beat Great Britain and Germany to the line in a close finish to record victory in the first race of 12 in the series - but had to wait to be told they had done it.

"It was pretty close but you only have to win by a few centimetres," said Dickson. "We didn't know (crossing the line) that we'd done it until we came in and Matt (McGovern, coach) told us."

And Waddilove added: "I feel thrilled, we can't ask for a better start but you have to remember that this is the very first race and anything could change with eleven races to go plus a medal race - hopefully."

Ireland's Annalise Murphy (©INPHO/Oceansport/Dave Branigan)

Annalise Murphy is trending in the right direction after a slow start to her bid to back up her Rio silver in the Laser Radial.

Murphy is now into 20th position after a 10th place finish in Tokyo this afternoon, which followed her first top 10 finish of these Games earlier.

The 31-year-old thrives in windy weather and the conditions suited her as she improved her standing.

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