The First Qualifier For 2016 Paralympic Games Will Begin Tomorrow In Canada

Tomorrow (19 August) sailing will become the first Irish sport to contest for a place at the 2016 Paralympic Games. The IFDS World Championships in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada will serve as the first qualifying event for the discipline, with the top seven nations earning their country's place at the Games in Rio in two years' time.

John Twomey, Ian Costello and Austin O'Carroll from Providence Team IRL will be representing Ireland in the three-man Sonar class. They will compete in the six day regatta against 16 of the world's best Paralympic sailing teams from 12 other nations.

Performance Director for the Irish Sailing Association, James O'Callaghan commented "Qualification at the first hurdle is the goal but it will require all of Twomey's experience to make it happen. Preparation has gone well so the boys are in with a good shot of achieving the goal."

John Twomey is well versed in the qualification process and the pressure twinned with representing his country at this level of elite competition. Hailing from Ballinhassig, Co. Cork, John will draw on his extensive experience to lead his two crewmen, having represented Ireland in a record-breaking 10 consecutive Paralympic Games. His teammate Ian Costello from Killorgan in Co. Kerry is also no stranger to international competition having sailed with John in his first Paralympics in 2012 where they finished 11th overall. This will be Dubliner Austin O'Carroll's first major international event having joined the team late last year.