Providence Team IRL sailors John Twomey, Austin O’Carroll and Ian
Costello have qualified for the 2016 Paralympic Games, which takes place
in Rio di Janeiro next September. This also marks a particularly
special moment in Irish Paralympic history as Kinsale Yacht Club’s John
Twomey (Helm) from Ballinhassig, Cork will now compete in a record 11th
games.
The Sonar crew have qualified with a day to spare in the championships.
The final race of this eleven race regatta takes place tomorrow at the
earlier time of 11am (local time).
John Twomey, skipper of the Irish Sonar Paralympic team, said: “We have
achieved what we came to Melbourne for, which is qualification for Rio
2016. We still have a lot of hard work to do starting with the final
race of this regatta tomorrow.”
Commenting on the team’s qualification, ISA Performance Director, James O’Callaghan said:
“I’m delighted for the team, who have worked incredibly hard to get this
far, and for John in particular – his achievement is one he, his family
and the entire Irish Sailing community can be incredibly proud of.”
“This is a great result for John and his team. They have done it in
style with a race to spare. It is fantastic that Ireland will now
contest the Paralympic sailing event in Rio”