#olympicsailing–17–year–old Finn Lynch is a step closer to fulfilling his dream of representing Ireland in Rio 2016 tonight after earning a second Laser Standard nation place at Spit Olympic week in Croatia. Lynch's tenth overall result puts two Irish Lasers on the startline at the Olympic qualifier in Santander, Spain this autumn.
The National Yacht Club sailor, who earned world youth silver in 2012, finished 10th overall and tenth country in Crotia today and joins London 2012's James Espey with the aim of qualifying Ireland for Rio at the first opportunity this September.
The Carlow teen showed the depth of his ambition again last season when he took Laser European honours on his home waters of Dublin Bay winning bronze in the Men's Radial Worlds, silver in the Europeans and gold in the U21 category. The 17-year-old from Bennekerry County Carlow sailed consistently throughout that 12 race regatta with nine top-five finishes, including two race wins.
The Carlow Laser racer was our sailor of the month for July last year and it looks like there's no stopping the youngster's progress.
Strangford's Chris Russell was also competing in Split this week. Regatta results downloadable below.
