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Marni Lane
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US SAILING TEAM OFF TO IMPRESSIVE START AT

FIRST OLYMPIC TEST EVENT IN QINGDAO, CHINA

 
Portsmouth, R.I. (August 21, 2006) — US Sailing Team (USST) members claimed top positions on the first of ten days of racing today at The Good Luck Beijing - 2006 Qingdao International Regatta. Thirty-four top-ranked members of the USST are competing against 430 sailors from 40 countries and regions at the first of two annual Olympic Test Events in Qingdao, China.

Skipper Sally Barkow (Chenequa, Wis.) and crew Debbie Capozzi (Bayport, N.Y.) and Carrie Howe (Grosse Pointe, Mich.) dominated the Yngling class today, finishing the day in first place. In the Star class, the US Sailing Team captured two top three positions: the duos of George Szabo (San Diego, Calif.) and Eric Monroe (Corona Del Mar, Calif.) and Andy Horton (Newport, R.I.) and Brad Nichol (Lake Sunapee, N.H.) finished in second and third place, respectively. Laser Radial sailor Paige Railey held onto third place, while Stuart McNay (Boston, Mass.) and Graham Biehl (San Diego, Calif.) finished the day in fourth place in the 470 Men class. The Finn, Tornado and RS:X Women classes did not race today.

The first day of the competition followed a spectacular Opening Ceremony Sunday at the Qingdao Olympic Sailing Center. The event was held in a huge tent decorated with elaborate carpets, floating gold curtains suspended from the ceiling and flower arrangements. Broadcast live on Chinese television, Qingdao Mayor Xia Geng and Director General Liu Peng formally opened the regatta by welcoming visitors to the venue.

A national flag parade followed the speeches, with teams from 41 countries and regions entering the tent in alphabetical order. Laser Radial sailor Anna Tunnicliffe (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.) carried the flag for the US Sailing Team, accompanied by Laser sailor Brad Funk (Clearwater, Fla.) and Barkow. They were greeted by a load roar of cheers from their fellow teammates.

Once the official horn sounded the opening of the 2006 Qingdao International Regatta, the curtains on the tent were drawn back, launching the grand finale: a spectacular fireworks display choreographed to music. The fireworks were set off over the Olympic harbor, which was filled with boats decorated for the occasion.

When asked their favorite part of the evening, 49er sailors Dalton Bergan (Seattle, Wash.) and Zack Maxam (Coronado, Calif.) agreed enthusiastically: “The fireworks were awesome!”

“China rolled out the red carpet for us,” said US Sailing Team Leader Katie Kelly (Barrington, R.I.). “The city of Qingdao is certainly prepared and excited to welcome the world to their home. We are always greeted with warm smiles, and ‘how can I help you?’”

The first of two Olympic Test events, the Good Luck Beijing - 2006 Qingdao International Regatta gives sailors the opportunity to test the conditions, venue and competition for the 2008 Olympic Games. The event is held from August 18-31, 2006, at the Qingdao International Marina in Qingdao, a coastal city located 430 miles east of Beijing.

“We have never seen an Olympic venue like this, ready two years before," said David Kellett, the vice president of ISAF.

Ranked a Grade 2 event by ISAF, the regatta features the Olympic sailing competition’s nine classes: Finn (men); 470 (men and women); Laser (men); Laser Radial (women); Neil Pryde RS:X (men and women); 49er, Star, Tornado (all open); and Yngling (women). Each event series consists of 10 races, except the 49er which has 15 races. The top ten competitors in the first 10 races will qualify for the Medal Race on August 30. Results for the Medal Race will be double weighted.

For daily results, photos, profiles, audio reports and diaries from US Sailing Team Members competing at the 2006 Qingdao International Regatta, please visit www.ussailing.org/olympics/qingdao.htm.

About the US Sailing Team
The US Sailing Team is managed by US SAILING, national governing body of the sport. Headquartered in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, US SAILING's mission is to encourage participation and promote excellence in sailing in the U.S. US SAILING offers training and education programs, supports a wide range of sailing organizations and communities, and provides administration and oversight of competitive sailing across the country, including the US Sailing Teams and the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Sailing Teams. For more information, please visit www.ussailing.org.

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