Ciara Peelo secured a place for Ireland at the Olympic Regatta with her 29th overall at the Women’s Laser Radial World Championship in New Zealand. With just six nation places available at the Olympic Games in the Laser Radial Class Peelo secured the sixth and final place available in New Zealand with her 29th overall at the Women’s Laser Radial World Championship.
James O’Callaghan, ISA Performance Director explained: “Ciara has completed a fantastic comeback to secure Ireland's place at the Olympic Regatta in the Laser Radial Class. After a poor first day she was lying in 65th overall but since then she sail the regatta of her life.”After a qualifying series of races the 116 boat fleet was divided into Gold and Silver. In the Gold Fleet Ciara Peelo placed 29th overall after a 23rd and 13th races 9 and 10 respectively. Debbie Hanna placed is 52nd overall after a 52nd and 46th race 9 and 10. In the Silver Fleet the overall positions of ISA Academy Sailors Annalise Murphy and Claudine Murphy placed 28th and 33rd respectively. O’Callaghan continued: “Speaking with Ciara with earlier, she was absolutely thrilled although her achievement hasn't fully sunk in.”
Ciara Peelo is a member of the ISA Olympic Squad. Sarah Steyaert (FRA) is the 2008 World Champion when she finished 5th in the final race. Xu Lijia (CHN) was the clear leader all week but finished second overall following a retirement from the final race when she received her second yellow flag for a Rule 42 infringement. Final Results for Irish Sailors (10 races series, includes 2 discards) :
Position Name Total Points - R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 R9 R10 GOLD FLEET
29th Peelo Ciara 151.0 - (34) (31) 16 25 12 21 16 25 23 13
52nd Hanna Debbie 239.0 - 27 18 11 8 (29) 27 (dnf) 50 52 46 SILVER FLEET
28th Murphy Annalise 236.0 - 22 13 51 (55) (52) 28 36 48 35 3
33rd Murphy Claudine 248.0 - 25 13 (dnf) 53 53 17 8 38 41 (ocs)
