Laser Radial Worlds – Stoddart can secure country qualification spot

by Cora Zillich on 26 Nov 2015 Australia Sailing Squad’s Ashley Stoddart looks set to secure a Rio 2016 country qualification spot at the 2015 Laser Radial World Championships (20-26 November) after finishing the penultimate day of racing in Oman in overall 18th. The event will conclude tonight with two final races.

Ashley Stoddart posted a 15th and 18th in the top-50 Gold fleet on Wednesday, 25 November 2015 with winds reaching 15knots and big waves making it an exciting day.

20 countries already qualified for the Laser Radial at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games with another four spots available at these World Championships. Japan, Turkey and Australia are sharing the top three spots, while Spain is following in the fourth with a bit of a point gap.

“I know today holds a lot of meaning for myself, however I'm only focussing on doing the right things each race and enjoying it as well! I’m letting the pressure get to others and I’m just keeping things as normal as possible”, Ashley Stoddart said about the task at hand.

Today (25 November) is the final day of the event with Finals Races 5 and 6 to take place and with a start time scheduled for 1200 local time (AEDT19:00).

The 2015 Laser Radial World Championship provides the opportunity for Australia to secure country qualification in the Laser Radial for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.

Results 2015 Laser Radial World Championship (as of 25 November 2015)

- Ashley Stoddart (QLD/QAS) – ASS: 15, 18, 39, 11, 13, 28, 10, 6, 15, 18 – 18th

- Other Australian, non AST/ASS entries: Krystal Weir (VIC): 34, 34, 44, 35, 33, 41; Silver Fleet: 15, 6, 9, 9 – overall 64th