Sailing

Abicht wins Olympic quota place in iQFoil class

Lorena Abicht has secured a quota place for the Summer Games in Paris at the remaining place regatta for the Olympic sailing competitions off Hyeres! 

The 29-year-old finished the final day on Wednesday in 18th place in the iQFoil class, but this was enough for the athlete from the Union Yacht Club Neusiedlersee to secure an Olympic ticket. Abicht has already competed in the 49erFX at the Summer Games, but has now also managed to do it solo.

"I am infinitely happy!"
"When I made the switch from the 49erFX to the windsurfing class two and a half years ago, an Olympic quota place was my big dream.

"I hope I get the chance!"
The fact that I am now so close to my dream is a huge relief. I'm incredibly happy," said Abicht, who now has to wait for the ÖOC's decision on whether she will be allowed to compete in France. "I hope that I get the chance to be the first Austrian woman to compete in an Olympic windsurfing event."

Abicht achieved the quota place via Austria's status as a "Developing Nation", for which two additional places were awarded. These are countries that did not qualify in windsurfing at the last two Summer Games. In the men's 470, 49er, Nacra 17 and Formula Kite, Austria had already won quota places for the Olympic sailing competitions before Marseille.