Following a four month delay, World Sailing (formerly ISAF) has
confirmed that Ireland’s Andrea Brewster and Saskia Tidey have qualified
for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in the 49erFX skiff event.
News today that Africa would not enter the 49erFX skiff event
released another Olympic place and as the next in line based on the
world championships in Argentina, Providence Team IRL’s Brewster and
Tidey have secured qualification for Ireland.
The pair delivered a strong final day performance at the 2015 World
Championships in Argentina and appeared to secure a berth when they
finished 14th overall. However, a rules protest ashore meant they would
have to compete for the final European place at the games in next
week’s Princess Sofia Regatta in Mallorca.
The pair will shortly be nominated as part of the Irish Sailing
Association Performance squad to the Olympic Council of Ireland for
inclusion in the team competing in Rio 2016
“This is a hugely significant development for Andrea and Saskia who
earned qualification by fighting to deliver a strong finish to last
year’s world championships,” commented James O’Callaghan, ISA
Performance Manager. “It’s a very emotional day for them and they can
now concentrate fully on building toward their Rio goals.”
Brewster and Tidey will be among 13 Irish sailors competing at the
Princess Sofia Regatta that begins on the Bay of Palma on Monday 28th
March and runs for six days. A record entry of 775 and more than 1,000
athletes will compete in ten Olympic disciplines.
Ireland has now qualified for representation in four sailing events
at the Rio 2016 Olympics including the Men’s 49er skiff, Laser Standard,
Laser Radial as well as the 49erFX women’s event.
Notes
Irish Olympic Qualification
- Annalise Murphy – Qualified the nation in the Laser Radial
- James Espey – Qualified the nation in the Laser Standard
- Ryan Seaton & Matt McGovern – Qualified the nation in the 49er
- Andrea Brewster & Saskia Tidey – Qualified the nation in the 49erFX
*Trials are ongoing to determine which sailors will represent Ireland at the 2016 Games.