Updated at 17.48

IRELAND’S ANNALISE MURPHY has today qualified for the 2016 Olympics in Rio following a strong performance at the ISAF Sailing World Championships in Santander, Spain.

Murphy had experienced a difficult start to the event, but a considerable improvement that included 13th place today in Race 7 of the Laser Radial Gold fleet saw her secure qualification.

The 23-year-old Rathfarnham native came 20th overall from 120 boats, helping Ireland to qualify as the 16th nation, with only the top 19 out of 58 countries qualifying.

With Murphy in 21st going into the final day of qualifying, the pressure was on, but she ultimately did enough to guarantee her place in Brazil.

The Dubliner has built on a memorable 2013, where she won gold in the Laser Radial class at the European Championships in Dublin.

The Irish sailor also competed at the London 2012 Olympics, where she agonisingly just missed out on a medal and ultimately finished fourth.

Meanwhile, James Espey, another Irish sailor, also booked his place at the Rio Olympics last Saturday.

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