Double-Olympic veteran Ryan Seaton, with crew Séafra Guilfoyle, produced a consistent performance at the 49er World Championships in New Zealand this morning to maintain their push for a possible spot at the Olympics.
Seaton and Guilfoyle delivered three top-ten results on the water. With four nation places for the Tokyo Games up for grabs, the stakes are high.
The Irish pair moved up the rankings to 18th overall with three races remaining on Thursday to decide the Gold, Silver and Bronze fleet splits for the 89 crews representing 30 countries.
After storms disrupted the opening day's schedule on Tuesday, an extra race was sailed on the course area close to Rangitoto Island, near Auckland.
World Under-23 bronze medallists Robert Dickson and Sean Waddilove followed up on their opening-race win with a third place and lie 27th overall, currently just outside the cut-off for Gold fleet but with a third day of racing to decide the split.
"Ryan and Séafra are achieving the consistency we have seen in recent months including a top ten finish at the Olympic venue just two months ago so they are getting close to their goal," said Irish Sailing's Performance Director James O'Callaghan.
"For Rob and Sean, chipping in top three results confirms their potential and augurs well at this early stage of their senior level career."
Racing continues tomorrow with three more qualifying races to decide Gold, Silver and Bronze fleets.
A further nine races are then scheduled including Sunday, leading to a medal race final for the top ten boats. Eleven nations are already qualified for Tokyo.
