Annalise Murphy's next tack for an Olympic medal begins on Saturday at Aquece Rio, the first test event of the 2016 Olympic regatta at Marina de Gloria.

Murphy is one of 324 athletes from 34 nations that is set to be the largest Olympic classes sailing competition ever held in Brazil, some 737 days before the 2016 Games begins.

The Irish sailing team had their most successful Olympics for 30 years at London 2012 thanks to Murphy’s fourth-place finish but before the Dubliner gets another chance for Olympic gold, she must first qualify at the International Sailing Federation’s (ISAF) World Championships in Santander, Spain, this September.

Yesterday, the 23-year-old – who became Laser Radial European champion in 2013 – was named by the Irish Sailing Association as one of three campaigns to contest the ISAF qualifier.

Also in the Irish line-up are two Belfast campaigns – Ryan Seaton and Matt McGovern – in the 49er skiff and James Espey in the Laser.

In addition to the Providence-sponsored team, the 2012 ISAF youth silver medallist Finn Lynch and a new 49erfx women's pairing, Andrea Brewster are Saskia Tidey, are also slated.

John Twomey from Kinsale aims to qualify for his 11th consecutive Paralympic Games at the IFDS World Championships in Halifax, Canada. Twomey sails with Ian Costello and Austin O'Carroll in the three man Sonar keelboat.