After a tense wait for wind to arrive at the 49er European Championships in Vilamoura Portugal, sailors Robert Dickson and Sean Waddilove were confirmed as winners of the single nation place for the Paris 2024 Olympics decided after this six-day event.
The Dublin crew were waiting to compete in the medal race final for the top ten boats in their men's skiff event.
There were 91 starters in the championship before Italy emerged as the main rival to Ireland for the single qualification place.
Light winds beset the event and a total calm meant no racing was possible on the final day.
Dickson and Waddilove narrowly missed out on qualifying in The Hague last August by one nation place so this week's result finishes off their season on a high note.
The pair represented Ireland in the skiff at Tokyo 2020, their first Olympic outing and will now face selection trials, though are considered the principal contenders for the place on their form to date.
👋 Hey, Paris 🇫🇷 We're coming for you 🫵
— Team Ireland (@TeamIreland) November 13, 2023
Robert Dickson and Seán Waddilove have qualified a spot in the Men’s Skiff @paris2024 🔥
Congratulations boys! & to all the team at @Irish_Sailing ☘️#TeamIreland | #RoadToParis pic.twitter.com/KBFtxAnIsP
Both sailors started out the 2023 season with illness concerns that were only fully cleared just before the World championships in August.
At that event, they were within reach of qualifying on the final day but incurred starting-line penalties and were the 11th nation for ten Paris 2024 places.
Since August, the Irish crew have trained extensively with priority on starting technique with the results clearly visible over the past week.
Ireland now has now qualified in two disciplines for the Paris Olympic regatta that will be held in the southern port city of Marseilles. Finn Lynch qualified for the men’s single-handed event in August while Eve McMahon is a prospective qualifier at January’s World Championships in Argentina for the women’s single-handed event.
