Pictured: Annie Haeger (East Troy, Wisc.) and Briana Provancha (San Diego, Calif.), Women’s 470.
Hyéres, France – US Sailing Team Sperry Women’s 470 sailors Annie Haeger (East Troy, Wisc.) and Briana Provancha (San Diego, Calif.) won bronze at ISAF Sailing World Cup Hyères last year, and began their mission to improve on that result by posting scores of 4,3 and ending the day in the overall lead. “We have identified starting events in a strong way as a major goal, and today we did a good job of executing. Briana kept us moving downwind in the light air, and it was a big weapon for us,” said Haeger. Provancha noted that Haeger made strong tactical calls throughout the day in the unstable conditions. “Annie really did a fantastic job today. Tactically, in those two races, we were in the right places on the course. Our starts were solid, and we’re happy not to have sailed any drop races on the first day.”
GPS Tracking Race Replays: http://bit.ly/1GhntBa
Paige Railey (Clearwater, Fla.) quickly found her rhythm on Day One, and crossed the finish line in the first race in first place before discovering that she had been penalized for being over the starting line early. “Overall, I’m happy though,” said the Laser Radial World Champion and 2012 Olympian. “I was close to scoring a 1,4 today, which unfortunately turned into a UFD,10. But I still feel confident and fast.” Railey’s coach, Mark Littlejohn (Auckland, New Zealand), who has overseen multiple medal-winning performances at the Olympics, had a positive outlook as well. “I was actually quite pleased. Paige not only sailed fast, but smart. We are making great progress.”
Pictured: Charlie Buckingham, Laser.
Laser athlete Charlie Buckingham (Newport Beach, Calif.) competed in the top ten for most of both races, but saw his consistent speed only partially represented on the scoreboard. “It was really tough out there today, but I think I sailed some solid races overall,” said Buckingham. “I was happy with my first race (a 7th), and had good speed. I was passing boats around the course. But in the second race we had a major shift, which led to a fleet inversion near the end, and I was in a bad spot.”
Caleb Paine (San Diego, Calif.) experienced a setback with a penalty in the first Finn class race and some tactical mistakes in the second, but remains in the hunt in 13th overall. “Today was pretty mediocre, but this is also a hard place to compete in and predict. We’ll work on bouncing back tomorrow. We have lots of room to improve.”
Stu McNay (Providence, R.I.) and Dave Hughes (San Diego, Calif.) are also sitting in the top 20, currently in 15th overall in the Men’s 470. “We felt fast in the light air, which we typically do, but we started in ill-advised places on the line, and missed some big shifts. We’re looking forward to tomorrow.”
Pictured: Stu McNay and Dave Hughes, Men’s 470.
US Results: ISAF Sailing World Cup Hyéres 2015
Full Results: http://bit.ly/1DeM1HB
470 Women:
- 1st overall, Annie Haeger (East Troy, Wisc.) and Briana Provancha (San Diego, Calif.)
- 23rd overall Sydney Bolger (Long Beach, Calif.) and Carly Shevitz (Santa Barbara, Calif.)
2.4mR Paralympic (Open):
- 11th overall, Dee Smith (Annapolis, Md.)
Finn Heavyweight Men:
- 13th overall, Caleb Paine (San Diego, Calif.)
470 Men:
- 15th overall, Stu McNay (Providence, R.I.) and Dave Hughes (San Diego, Calif.)
Laser Men:
- 16th overall, Charlie Buckingham (Newport Beach, Calif.)
Nacra 17 Mixed:
- 20th Sarah Newberry (Miami, Fla.) and Matthew Whitehead (Panama City, Fla.)
49erFX Women:
- 23rd, Paris Henken (Coronado, Calif.) and Helena Scutt (Kirkland, Wash.)
Laser Radial Women
- 29th overall, Paige Railey (Clearwater, Fla.)
Media Guide:
Event Website: http://swc.ffvoile.com/swc2015gbr/
US Sailing Team Media Hub: http://ussailingteam.uberflip.com/
Live Updates: www.Twitter.com/USSailingTeam
Live Tracking: http://bit.ly/1GhntBa
Daily Reports: www.ussailing.org/olympics
Facebook: www.Facebook.com.USSailingTeam
Instagram: www.Instagram.com.USSailingTeam
Photos (Daily): www.usst.photoshelter.com
About the US Sailing Team Sperry
The US Sailing Team Sperry is managed by the United States Sailing Association (US Sailing), the national governing body for the sport of sailing and sailboat racing. The top boats in each Olympic and Paralympic class are selected annually to be members of the US Sailing Team Sperry. US Sailing helps these elite athletes with with financial, logistical, coaching, technical, fitness, marketing and communications support. The title sponsor of the team is Sperry; other sponsors include Gold-Level partner Sunbrella and Silver-Level partners Harken, Team McLube and Groupe Beneteau. Yale Cordage is a team supplier. The US Sailing Center Miami is an Olympic training site. Oakcliff Sailing and Clearwater Community Sailing Center are US Sailing Team Sperry Training Centers. Chubb Personal Insurance sponsors US Sailing’s National Team Tour, a nationwide presentation program for US Sailing Team Sperry athletes. For more information, please visit www.ussailing.org/olympics