Sailing:Irish sailor James Espey from Ballyholme Yacht Club in Belfast Lough achieved Olympic qualification after day four of the Laser World Championships in Germany. Espey scored 7, (29), 3, 20, 18, 17 ,22,19 to make the gold fleet.
He now lies in 30th position overall but crucially in second place in terms of the nations who have not already qualified. By virtue of the fact there are only six unqualified nations in Gold fleet and there are 12 places on offer at this event, the Irishman can be satisfied with a job well done.
Espey is the fourth Irish sailor to qualify for the London Olympics. The others, Annalise Murphy (Laser Radial), Peter O’Leary & David Burrows (Star) and Ryan Seaton & Matt McGovern (49er) qualified at the World Championships in Perth, Australia in December of last year.
Commenting on Espey’s qualification ISA Performance Director James O’Callaghan stated: “ I am delighted for James to achieve Olympic qualification. He has worked hard as an independent athlete to achieve his goal and we look forward to working together as part of the Providence Resources Olympic Sailing Team to achieve further success at London 2012.”
Meanwhile at the Star Worlds in Hyeres, France, O’Leary and Burrows are lying in third place after three days. In Zadar, Croatia Seaton & McGovern are in 50th in the 49er World Championships.