SINGAPORE - Local sailors Priscilla Low and Lee Shu Xian have earned Singapore a berth in the women's 470 event at next year's Rio de Janeiro Olympics, clinching the slot at the ongoing International Sailing Federation (Isaf) World Cup in Qingdao, China.

The regatta serves as an Asian qualifier to the Olympics for the double-handed 470 dinghy, the Finn and the mixed-event Nacra 17 classes.

There was only one 470 slot available at the event, but with China and Japan already earning the one slot allowed for each National Olympic Committee, the slot went to the Singaporeans instead. The duo finished 13th out of 16 boats.

This is the first time Singapore has qualified outright for the Olympics in the women's 470 event. Toh Liying and Deborah Ong competed in the same event at the 2008 Beijing Olympics after they were awarded an Unused Quota Place by Isaf.

While Low and Lee's feat has earned Singapore a berth in Rio, they are not guaranteed to be the ones who will eventually compete. The Singapore Sailing Federation will still conduct internal trials to determine which pair will represent Singapore.