Qualification Spots Up For Grabs For London 2012 At Perth 2011

The Perth 2011 ISAF Sailing World Championships acts as the major qualification regatta for the London 2012 Olympic Sailing Competition.

Of the 79 nations competing for World Championship glory, 31 have qualified their nation so far in the Women’s RS:X and Laser Radial, with the battle continuing in the Men’s 470, Finn and Women’s Match Racing.

At Perth 2011, 20 of the 28 places for the Women’s RS:X sailors are up for grabs and so far 18 sailors have qualified their nation. Two more places will be awarded at Perth 2011 and a further seven at the 2012 RS:X World Championships in Cadiz, Portugal in March next year. As the host nation, Great Britain are automatically awarded a place and Bryony Shaw was announced as the host nations sailor. After her selection in September Shaw said, "For me this will be my second Olympics, and it’s exciting that I’ve been able to keep on improving. It’s amazing to be part of such a strong and special team and to feel the vibe that we’re all focussed and confident with the task ahead."

The countries qualified for the Women’s RS:X at London 2012 are: Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Spain, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Israel, Italy, Japan, Norway, New Zealand, Poland and Ukraine

Twenty five nations have qualified their country to sail the Laser Radial at the London 2012 Olympic Sailing Competition after a hard fought opening affair at the Perth 2011 ISAF Sailing World Championships.

At Perth 2011 four more nations have the opportunity to qualify their nation but so far Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Belarus, Brazil, Canada, China, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Spain, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Lithuania, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Switzerland, Sweden, Turkey and the USA are all guaranteed of a spot on the starting line at Weymouth and Portland, Great Britain next year.

In the Men’s 470 and Finn, the competition for places is fierce after the Gold and Silver fleet split. Twenty one nations can pick up the 18 Finn places available at Perth 2011 and 24 nations are aiming for one of the 19 Olympic spots available in Perth.

In the Women’s Match Racing, Anna Tunnicliffe (USA) and Ekaterina Skudina (RUS) finished at the top of Group A in Perth and qualify USA and Russia for London 2012. Six further places will be awarded in Perth. Lucy Macgregor (GBR) will take the host nation spot and the remaining three spots will be decided at the Women's Match Racing Olympic Qualifying Regatta in Florida, USA in February.

For more information, visit: www.sailing.org

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