Irish qualification for Tokyo 2020 at sailing world championships

Ireland will be represented at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic sailing regatta in the women's single-handed event.

The final two races of the Laser Radial World Championship took place this morning and Tipperary native Aisling Keller from the Lough Derg Yacht Club had her best day in the Gold fleet final series to finish 46th overall.

"This is a weight off my shoulders for sure," she said after, "it’s probably the hardest regatta I’ve ever sailed."

"To come in off the water, and know that it’s done and dusted is just amazing...I'm so happy."

Howth Yacht Club’s Aoife Hopkins placed 48th and both Irish sailors were inside the qualification criteria with Keller taking the seventh of the ten nation places that were up for grabs.

"It's been a really long road to this moment. We’ve been working for a year towards this event particularly and even longer towards Olympic qualification," said Hopkins.

"It’s really nice to come away with the outcome we wanted."

Denmark’s Anne-Marie Rindom was the overall winner.

Rory Fitzpatrick, Irish Sailing's Head Coach praised his team afterward, saying they got they've achieved their goal.

"Qualification was something that had to happen so that ended up being the focus here at the end of the regatta."

"Next we go to the Olympic venue at Enoshima…now that we know we’re going to be there we’ve got to make the most of it."

A test series is taking place at the Olympic regatta venue next month that will host all national representatives.