Olympic Sailor Annalise Murphy laid bare some of the hopes, fears, rituals and training regimes that are carrying her to Rio this summer in a live Twitter Q&A session hosted by Liberty Insurance this week in support of their #SupportHerSport campaign.
Just about to kick off our live Twitter QnA with @Annalise_Murphy #supporthersport , get your questions in! pic.twitter.com/ir4Y6zxPH0
— Liberty Insurance (@LibertyIRL) May 23, 2016
Here are a selection of the questions and answers she gave…
What keeps you motivated? #supporthersport via @orlaithhurley
Getting up every day doing something I love keeps me motivated and dreaming about an Olympic medal!
What would be the dream scenario in Rio? #supporthersport via @ByrneDec
The dream scenario in Rio would be to go in feeling relaxed and 100% prepared. I sail best when I am happy!
Annalise, do you ever listen to music while training? And can you recommend some great sailing music? #supporthersport via @Itsatangent
When I go running I listen to dance music. For long indoor cycling sessions podcasts are great, try Serial!
Do you have any pre-race rituals/superstitions? #supporthersport via @Sh6un6byrne
Having the same routine every day is really important as regattas run over 6 days, not looking at forecasts!
Is there any Irish things you can’t live without on your travels? #supporthersport via @DaraMichael
I bring a bag of Flavahans Jumbo Oats everywhere I go and Irish tea!
If you could try another Olympic Sport what would it be? #supporthersport via @Sinead
I’ve been told I would be a good rower so maybe that! But the buzz of the stadium in athletics would be amazing.
Who is the most influential person/greatest inspiration in your career? via @oreilly136 @melarkeyl #supporthersport
My mum is my inspiration, also being an Olympian she has been able to give me so much good advice.
Annalise what is your greatest sailing memory so far? #supporthersport via @amylong41
Winning the first 4 races at the London Olympics is my greatest memory so far… & maybe the most stressful!
What drives and motivates you to do the best at your sport? #supporthersport via @OfficialCamogie
Wanting to be the best in the world is what makes me get up in the mornings, especially on hard days.
Do you think as a nation Ireland is getting better at promoting female athletes? #supporthersupport via@bryanmcmahon93
I think we are getting better at it. @KatieTaylor and the rugby girls are some of the best in the world.
Do you think that sailing is under recognised as a proper sport? #supporthersport via @CqonorBuckley
I often have to explain how physical my boat is as there can be the perception that I’m out drinking G&Ts.
What’s the most unusual thing you’ve seen floating in the water? #supporthersport via @lucyremitz
I picked up a wooden chair while out sailing in Rio one day and last week a submarine popped up beside me!
The full series of questions and answers as well as others in the series can be found on twitter under #GAAQnA or on the Liberty Insurance #SupportHerSport blog.
