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Aoife Hopkins finishes in style in Laser Radial World Championships

Howth Yacht Club sailor wins penultimate race in Oman to end regatta in 17th place

Aoife Hopkins won the penultimate race at the world chapionships in Oman. Photograph: James Crombie/Inpho

Mon Dec 6 2021 - 16:55

Aoife Hopkins landed a career personal best after she won the 10th race of the series in the Laser Radial (ILCA6) World Championships in Mussanah, Oman on Monday.

Howth Yacht Club sailor Hopkins went into the final day of the regatta in 20th place, and her victory in the penultimate race propelled her into 17th place overall.

Hopkins raced into an early lead, leading the 63-strong fleet around the first mark. And she wasn’t for catching, stretching away to secure her race victory.

Belgium’s Emma Plasschaert was crowned the new world champion.

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After Hopkins’ win James O’Callaghan, Irish Sailing’s performance director, said: “Aoife sailed an excellent regatta in very challenging conditions against the world’s best.

“Under pressure to secure funding, she has delivered in style. It is no more than she deserves after a really tough few years.”

This event closes out a successful six-week period of world championship events for Ireland’s Olympic sailing hopefuls leading up to the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Rio 2016 Olympian Finn Lynch won silver at last month’s world championship in Barcelona. Meanwhile Tokyo 2020 Olympians Robert Dickson and Seán Waddilove took eighth at the 49er world championship, racking up two race wins.

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