Almost two months ago, the Irish pair of Saskia Tidey and Andrea Brewster were gearing up for the Trofeo Princesa Sofia regatta in Mallorca, when word filtered through that the withdrawal of the Algerian pair had guaranteed their place in Rio.
It was a long, tough qualification process and Ireland had already put themselves first in the queue for a wildcard entry after Saskia Tidey's fantastic performance in Argentina last year.
They are Ireland's first ever Olympic skiff crew (oddly, they travel as African champions owing to the Algerians withdrawal). Brewster and Tidey compete in the 49erFX class.
We spoke to her the evening before she headed to Rio for a three week training camp.
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She discussed an often overlooked aspect of competing in the Olympics: the cost. This problem is especially acute in sailing where the competitors have to shell out for the most up to the minute equipment to be able to compete at a reasonable level.
While she is hugely appreciative of the support offered by the Irish Sports Council and her own sponsors, they still need to raise somewhere in the region of €60,000 between now and the Olympics.
Sailing is a hugely expensive sport because of the equipment. To race at world class level, you have to updating your equipment constantly to even be at the races with the other countries.
We are hugely helped by the Irish Sports Council, Team Providence, and our sponsors Volvo Ireland: Spirit Motors Group, and even all our family and friends, we couldn't have come this far without that support.
But still there's not enough for us as a team, not just us but the Irish (sailing) team, to go to the Olympics and perform to the standard of what we would like currently.
We are currently struggling to afford the essential parts in order to go. It's a pity but we're hoping between now and then to raise a bit of money. It really helps relieve some of the burdens that we feel...
We're looking at something close to €60,000 probably between now and then between funding for a coach boat, accomodation, there's just endless bills. We're getting there slowly but surely but it really does stop us planning ahead because the funding just isn't there to start with.
Even though, the Irish Sports Council and our sponsors have been incredible. There is just not enough just to give us the opportunity to perform at the same level as other countries.
Folk of a certain vintage and fans of Reeling in the Years will know her father Don, the Quinnsworth boss who was kidnapped by the IRA in 1983. He was rescued after a dramatic shootout in Leitrim.
My Dad is really my idol. He's amazing. He's a very strong man. Throughout everything he's done in life, he's really taught me to be thankful for what I've had and the opportunities to take them when they come. And never look back and regret not trying something and pushing hard. It's an incredible opportunity for me to go the Olympics and for him to see me do that. Dad has been a sportsman all his life and so has Mum.
Listen to this segment of the interview below:
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