SAILING:Irish squad fortunes, lifted by Tim Goodbody's country qualification in the Olympic regatta on Wednesday, were boosted again last night with the second slot in the men's 470 class.
Securing the second country qualification on today's final day of the ISAF world championship regatta was a reversal in fortunes for an Irish team in an event where 75 per cent of the places for Beijing have now been allocated.
Goodbody, racing in the heavyweight men's Finn division, finished the regatta in 25th place to take the 19th and last nation spot in the 37-boat fleet ahead of Norway.
With 19 nations qualifying for the Olympics at this competition, Goodbody delivered a strong performance in his final race, finishing 12th to secure the last place for Ireland.
Ireland had sought places in seven classes but had realistic ambitions in four.
Last night it emerged that Athens helmsman Gerbil Owens had also secured his place in China in the penultimate day afloat in Cascais.
After a difficult day on the water with new crew Phil Lawton, Owens posted two strong results, a sixth and a fourth, in the 38-boat fleet to take the second country slot.
Team manager James O'Callaghan is buoyed by the results, especially in the Finn class, where Goodbody was seen mainly as a 2012 prospect.
O'Callaghan admits, however, that the Laser radial performance, where both Ciara Peelo and Debbie Hannah failed to make the gold fleet, was an "under performance".
There were concerns too that the silver fleet finishes in the men's Laser class was a sign of stagnation.
Management set Olympic qualification as its main target in 2007, but now must pin its hopes for the other classes at various World championships in Olympic year, some held on the eve of the Olympic regatta itself, where a quarter of places remain.
There was further good news for Goodbody yesterday when his main rival, Aaron O'Grady, who finished in 32nd place, announced his retiral after seven years on the circuit.
The absence of any trial between the two in 2008 will simplify the path for Goodbody, who will concentrate now on losing at least five or six kilos for the light airs expected in Qingdao.
Five points off the last nation place in the Star class were Maurice O'Connell and Ben Cooke who, say team management, did not make certain "performance targets" in the run-up to Cascais and were therefore not squad members and received no State funding.
The loss of status did not hamper performance on the water, however. They put in a powerful performance to finish 14th overall in a very competitive fleet, so it came as a major disappointment not to secure a nation spot.
They take consolation, however, in the fact they now qualify for Irish Sports Council "World Class" funding by virtue of finishing in the top 12 nations.
This provides much-needed funds to compete at the Star Worlds in Miami in April, where there will be as many as 12 nations vying for the four remaining places.
