Murphy qualifies Ireland for sailing event at 2012 Olympics

Annalise Murphy has officially qualified Ireland for the 2012 Olympics in the Laser Radial sailing discipline.

She currently lies second in the ISAF World Sailing Championships in Perth, Australia.

The 102-boat fleet now splits into Gold and Silver fleets.

The top 29 countries in the fleet at the tournament are set to secure a place at the London 2012 Olympics.

The split means it is now impossible for Annalise to fall outside the top 29 nations thus securing Ireland's place on the starting line in London.

ISA Performance Director, James O’Callaghan said: "It is fantastic for Annalise to have achieved qualification so early in the regatta."

Murphy had three races today and she finished second, first and fourth in them, meaning that after five races altogether she is just two points behind leader Evi Van Acker of Belgium.

The Rathfarnham woman had finished 30th and second in the first two races of the series, but can discard her lowest result and combine the rest to give her overall position.

Her event continues in Perth until the medal race on Sunday, December 11.