Pictured: Charlie Buckingham (Laser), US Sailing Team Sperry.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 11, 2015
Portsmouth, R.I. – At the midway point of full-fleet racing at ISAF Sailing World Cup Weymouth and Portland (UK), US Sailing Team Sperry 470 and Laser athletes have responded well to the heavy and consistent breeze that has defined the regatta so far. Leading the way for the Americans are veteran national team athletes Stu McNay (Providence, R.I.) and David Hughes (San Diego, Calif.), who have built an impressive 4,2,1,2 scoreline so far and currently have the overall lead in the 37-boat Men’s 470 fleet. McNay, a two-time Olympian and Hughes, his teammate since 2012, matched the points total of the defending 470 world champions Mathew Belcher and Will Ryan (Australia) on Day 2, as each boat earned 1st and 2nd place scores.
In the Men’s Laser, North American Champion Charlie Buckingham (Newport Beach, Calif.) was nearly as successful on Day 2 as his 470 teammates, notching finishes of 3,2 and jumping up to 4th overall. “I’ve Been focusing on my starts, and have managed to get off the line well each race,” said Buckingham. “I made some mistakes yesterday, but learned from them and improved today.” The two-time US College Sailor of the Year is being coached at the event by Mark Reynolds (San Diego, Calif.), a two-time Olympic Champion in the Star class and a three-time medalist overall.
In the Women’s 470, Annie Haeger (East Troy, Wisc.) and Briana Provancha (San Diego, Calif.) made a dramatic charge up the leaderboard after winning Race 3 and finishing 6th in Race 4. This allowed the pair to jump from 25th overall, where they ended on Day 1, to 7th overall. “It’s always a test of an athlete to mentally be able to have a strong day after a tough one when things appear to be falling apart,” said Provancha. “I’m really proud of how our team sailed today. We treated it like a normal day and didn’t ride the emotional roller coaster. We did what we’ve been trained to do, and amazingly, we’re right back in it.”
Racing began at ISAF Sailing World Cup Weymouth and Portland on Wednesday, June 10 and concludes on Sunday, June 14.
ISAF Sailing World Cup Weymouth and Portland Event Website.
Notable US Results: ISAF Sailing World Cup Weymouth and Portland 2015
Men’s 470 (Men’s Two-Person Dinghy):
- 1st overall, Stuart McNay (Providence, R.I.) and David Hughes (Miami, Fla.), US Sailing Team Sperry
Women’s 470 (Women’s Two-Person Dinghy):
- 7th overall, Annie Haeger (East Troy, Wisc.) and Briana Provancha (San Diego, Calif.), US Sailing Team Sperry
- 9th overall, Sydney Bolger (Long Beach, Calif.) and Carly Shevitz (Santa Barbara, Calif.), US Sailing Team Sperry
Laser (Men’s One-Person Dinghy):
- 4th overall, Charlie Buckingham (Newport Beach, Calif.), US Sailing Team Sperry
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To learn more about the 2014 US Sailing Team Sperry athletes and staff, visit the team’s homepage.
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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
The United States Sailing Association (US Sailing), the national governing body for sailing, provides leadership, integrity, and growth for the sport in the United States. Founded in 1897 and headquartered in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, US Sailing is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization. US Sailing offers training and education programs for instructors and race officials, supports a wide range of sailing organizations and communities, issues offshore rating certificates, and provides administration and oversight of competitive sailing across the country, including National Championships and the US Sailing Team Sperry. For more information, please visit www.ussailing.org
About the ISAF Sailing World Cup
The ISAF Sailing World Cup is a world-class annual series for Olympic sailing. It is open to the sailing events chosen for the 2016 Olympic Sailing Competition. Its centre piece is the ISAF Sailing World Cup Final in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
The 2015 ISAF Sailing World Cup will consist of five regattas for all ten Olympic events and where possible, Formula Kite Racing. Qualification places for the ISAF Sailing World Cup final are up for grabs at each event. The final will bring together the top 20 boats in each Olympic event and an Open Kiteboarding event where the World Cup Champions will be crowned.
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Press Contact: Will Ricketson, Olympic Communications Manager, US Sailing. willricketson@ussailing.org, +1 (978) 697-2384.