Finn Lynch win sees Ireland inch closer to Tokyo 2020

Sailing: Irishman’s first place at Laser World Championship boosts qualification hopes

Ireland’s Finn Lynch: Won Sunday’s second race thanks to  a 50-metre lead. Photograph: Morgan Treacy/Inpho
Ireland’s Finn Lynch: Won Sunday’s second race thanks to a 50-metre lead. Photograph: Morgan Treacy/Inpho

A win for Ireland's Finn Lynch on the first day of Gold fleet racing in the Laser World Championship in Japan has boosted his hopes of qualifying Ireland for Tokyo 2020 when the series concludes on Tuesday.

Lynch placed 42nd in the first race of the day, a result that was dropped using the series discard. He had narrowly won a place in the Gold fleet by finishing 50th out of 156 boats in the the three-day qualification series.

But his early season top form hadn’t appeared until Sunday’s second race, when a strong start saw him in the top five boats at the first mark.

He then pulled into the lead steadily over the coming three legs and ended with an emphatic first place thanks to a 50-metre lead.

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Four races still remain in the final round over the coming two days; more top 10 results or better are still needed to achieve Tokyo 2020 qualification.

David Branigan

David Branigan

David Branigan is a contributor on sailing to The Irish Times