Men's and Women's 470 Olympic places decided after 2015 Worlds
by ISAF 19 Oct 2015 14:53 BST
19 October 2015
Six male and three female 470 teams have booked their nation a spot on the start line of the Rio 2016 Olympic Sailing Competition following the 2015 470 World Championship in Haifa, Israel.
Out of the 26 Men's 470 and 20 Women's 470 boats that will be seen at the Rio 2016 Olympic Sailing Competition six men's and three women's spots were available at the 2015 Worlds. Thirteen men's and ten women's places were decided over one year ago at the Santander 2014 ISAF Sailing World Championships with the large percentage of spots now sealed.
The six Men's 470 nations to qualify for Rio 2016 from the 2015 470 Worlds (in nation order) are: Argentina, Finland, Germany, Israel, South Africa, Turkey.
The three Women's 470 nations to qualify for Rio 2016 (in nation order) are: Australia, Germany, Poland.
Australia's Mat Belcher clinched his sixth consecutive Men's 470 world title in Haifa, his third with Will Ryan following a successful partnership with Malcolm Page.
Lara Vadlau and Jolanta Ogar of Austria defended their women's crown in Haifa with a convincing margin of points over Hannah Mills and Saskia Clark (GBR).
As Olympic hosts, Brazil automatically receives a place on the start line. Six places in the Men's and Women's 470 fleets will be awarded via a series of Continental Qualification Events sanctioned by ISAF, to finish by 1 June 2016 at the latest.
The inclusion for the first time by ISAF of Continental Qualification Events in the Qualification Pathway is an opportunity to develop sailing around the world and reflect the IOC Qualification System Principles. Key requirements of these Principles are to ensure the participation of the best athletes and ensure universality through continental representation.
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