Ireland's Finn Lynch hasn't been able to seal his place at the Tokyo Olympics in today's final at the Laser World Championship in Sakaiminato, Japan.
Australia’s Tom Burton, gold medalist from Rio, took the title followed closely by team mate Mathew Wearn.
2016 Olympian Lynch, from Bennekerr in Carlow, was best placed to achieve qualification, but required two single digit results, form that he previously demonstrated at three big regattas earlier this year.
However, Lynch ended the championship in 40th overall.
Dubliner Ewan McMaho placed a solid 50th for his debut at senior level world championship while Liam Glynn from Bangor, in only his second worlds, made the top 100.
"For sure, the result is disappointing, especially after such a strong season," commented James O'Callaghan, Irish Sailing's Performance Director.
"However, sport always has highs and lows, the key thing now is to bounce back and be ready for (at next year's qualifier in) Genoa.”
O’Callaghan added: "When you see the strength of nations like Australia, New Zealand and Great Britain (who dominated the top 10 along with France and Germany) it gives you confidence that the "one nation one team” approach is the way forward. We have a young team of three athletes, all with high potential; we just need to have faith in the process.”
Attention now turns to next week's women's Olympic qualifier at the Laser Radial World Championship, also at Sakaiminato.
The Laser Radial World Championship begins next Thursday featuring Aoife Hopkins from Dublin and Tipperary's Aisling Keller both aiming to secure a place for Ireland at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
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