Securing a second country qualification on today's final day of the ISAF world championship regatta would be a reversal in fortunes for an Irish team in an event where 75% of the places for Beijing have now been allocated.
Goodbody, racing in the heavyweight Men's Finn division finished the regatta in 25th place taking the 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 sought places in six seven classes but had realistic ambitions in four.
Team manager James O'Callaghan is buoyed up by the result in the Finn class, where Goodbody was seen mainly as 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'.
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.
Athens 470 sailor Ger Owens and his Phil Lawton can still qualify depending on results from today's final round.
There was further good news for Tim Goodbody yesterday when his main rival Aaron O'Grady who finished in 32nd place announced his retrial.
The absence of any trial between the two in 2008 will simplify the path for Goodbody who will concentrate now on losing at least 5 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 sport. They take consolation, however, in the fact that 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 are as many as 12 nations vying for the four remaining places.
