Reineke & F. McCann WIN U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Sailing

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FINAL UPDATE

MIAMI, FLORIDA (24 February 2024) – The final day of U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Sailing brought both elation and frustration as the winners were decided in the ILCA 6 and ILCA 7 fleets. Erika Reineke (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) punched her ticket to the Paris 2024 Olympics in the ILCA 6 after seven days of intense racing, while Ford McCann (Houston, Texas) achieved athlete selection and will represent Team USA pending country qualification in the ILCA 7. 

“It’s been a 15-year journey trying to make the Olympics,” said Reineke. “I’m 30 now and I started pursuing this path when I was 15 – it’s been a long road. I’ve been tested every Games cycle, and to finally succeed feels amazing. There’s a lot of work to be done for Paris and I’m honored to represent the USA on the Olympic stage.” 

The regatta came down to the wire in the ILCA 6 fleet. Charlotte Rose, the leader throughout most of the event, was over early in the first race of the day, which put a UFD on her score card and took her out of contention for the Olympic spot. It then came down to Reineke and Christina Sakellaris, who moved up to second thanks to a win in race 13. 

After a delay waiting for the northerly breeze to settle, Reineke and Sakellaris faced off in the final race. Reineke stayed on top of Sakellaris throughout the start and held her out to the unfavored side of the course, assuring that Reineke finished ahead.  

In the end, Reineke finished five points ahead of Sakellaris, with 28 points to Sakellaris’ 33. Rose rounded out the podium in third with 42 points.  

In the ILCA 7 fleet, Ford McCann maintained the lead he captured day one, winning athlete selection six points ahead of second place Leo Boucher. The US men still require country qualification to confirm participation at the Paris 2024 Games, with the final qualification opportunity coming up April 20-27, in Hyères, France at the “Last Chance Regatta.” 

“It was a fantastic regatta, and the challenge of the Trials was certainly what we expected,” said McCann. “Going into the event, we knew there were a lot of really strong players and honestly the week felt like we were rushing for higher ground before the dam broke.” 

“This was only step one of getting to Paris and luckily the same team I’ve had around me trying to make this collective dream come true will be with me for the next step,” continued McCann. “Marshall [McCann, Ford’s twin brother], Leo [Boucher] and I will all fight for the States to get an ILCA 7 spot in Paris.” 

Chapman Petersen ended his event with a race win and claimed third overall, with 42 points to Ford’s 30 and Leo’s 36. 

This event gathered competitors from across the country and spanned a wide age range – from 14 at the youngest (Daniella Cheng-Sun and Marina Wardlaw, ILCA 6) to 73 (Don Hahl, ILCA 7) at the oldest. Competitors qualified for the Trials at one of the US Open Sailing Series events or via resume selection.  

US Sailing would like to thank the following hosts, race officials, volunteers, and staff for their hard work hosting the U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Sailing: 

      • Miami Yacht Club, host club of the U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Sailing, led by Commodore Mark Ingraham 
      • Lead Race Officials Tom Duggan (Principal Race Officer), Bruce Cook (Jury Chief), Shannon Bush (Deputy Race Officer), and Kevin Reeds (Assistance Race Officer) 
      • Coconut Grove Sailing Club’s Race Committee Team, led by Andi Hoffman 
      • Florencia Barletta, Miami Yacht Club’s Youth Sailing Foundation Director 
      • Mike van Dyke, Commodore of Long Beach Yacht Club 
      • Chris and Carolyn Groobey, recipients of the U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Sailing Volunteer Appreciation Award 
      • US Sailing’s Olympic Department staff members 
      • Henry Brauer, US Sailing Vice President 

Finally, this event could not have happened without the hard work and dedication of Pam Healy, Event Chair of the U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Sailing.

Top 5 in each class overall:  

      • ILCA 6 – Erika Reineke (28), Christina Sakellaris (33), Charlotte Rose (42), Lilly Myers (54), Audrey Foley (61) 
      • ILCA 7 – Ford McCann (30), Leo Boucher (36), Chapman Petersen (42), Marshall McCann (50), Daniel Escudero (50) 

For media inquiries: Allison Chenard, US Sailing Team Media & Communications – allisonchenard@ussailing.org, +1 (401) 342-7962 

DAY 7 OF 8 UPDATE

MIAMI, FLORIDA (23 February 2024) – After yesterday’s rest day, 62 athletes returned to the water for the penultimate day of racing at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Sailing for the ILCA 6 and ILCA 7 disciplines. Southerly winds built throughout the day from 10 knots to the upper teens and the sea state followed suit. 

Erika Reineke entered the day leading the ILCA 6 fleet but fell to second when the second drop race came into effect following race 12, putting her behind current leader Charlotte Rose by four points.

Reineke took the first race win and the pair kept in each other’s sights throughout the day. Charlotte Rose came back to win race 12 by 45 seconds, ending her day on a high note. Christina Sakellaris sailed a consistent day with 2nd and 4th place finishes and closes out the podium in third overall for day seven. Sakellaris will enter the final day of racing tomorrow with an outside chance at an overall win with nine points between her and Rose.  

The winner of the ILCA 6 fleet tomorrow will secure her ticket to represent Team USA at the Paris 2024 Games, as the US women already achieved country qualification back in 2023 in the Netherlands at the Sailing World Championships. 

Overall standings remained the same for the top five ILCA 7s, with Ford McCann in the lead as he has been for the entirety of the event. Leo Boucher and Marshall McCann secured the two race wins of the day, and Chapman Petersen will hit the water in third overall for the final day of competition behind Boucher. 

Tomorrow’s ILCA 7 winner will achieve “athlete selection,” but the class still requires a USA country qualification to confirm participation at the Paris Games with the final opportunity coming up in Hyéres, France April 20-27; the “Last Chance Regatta.” 

U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Sailing will conclude for the ILCA 6s and 7s tomorrow with two more races remaining on the agenda. ILCA 6s will start first at 1100 ET with ILCA 7s following shortly thereafter. 

Top 5 in each class after day seven:  

      • ILCA 6 – Charlotte Rose (17), Erika Reineke (21), Christina Sakellaris (26), Lilly Myers (42), Audrey Foley (48) 
      • ILCA 7 – Ford McCann (21), Leo Boucher (28), Chapman Petersen (35), Marshall McCann (37), Daniel Escudero (38) 

How to follow: 

DAY 6 OF 8 UPDATE: LAY DAY

Competitors, coaches, and race management enjoyed a much-needed day off on February 22nd at the marathon U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Sailing. The final two days of racing will take place February 23-24 where the winner of the Women’s ILCA 6 fleet will be confirmed to represent the United States at the Paris 2024 Olympics and the winner of the Men’s ILCA 7 fleet will complete the first step of their two-part qualification. (See the “Event Preview” for more details on the path to Paris for the USA ILCA 7 representative)

Erika Reineke will enter day seven as the new leader of the ILCA 6 fleet, taking over in the final race of day five (read below for details), and Ford McCann remains dominant in the ILCA 7 fleet.

Pictured left: Callen Burnett waiting for wind to fill between races on day four. Photo by Lexi Pline / US Sailing. View all Trials photos here.

 

 

Top 5 in each class coming into day seven:

      • ILCA 6 – Erika Reineke (23), Christina Sakellaris (26), Charlotte Rose (32), Lilly Myers (44), Audrey Foley (49)
      • ILCA 7 – Ford McCann (17), Leo Boucher (29), Chapman Petersen (32), Daniel Escudero (41), Marshall McCann (44)

DAY 5 OF 8 UPDATE

MIAMI, FLORIDA (21 February 2024) – Miami delivered 10-15 knots for a second day of a cool North-Northwest breeze, and two more races hit the scoreboard for each fleet. Erika Reineke now leads in the ILCA 6 after some strategy play in the last race of the day, and Ford McCann continues to lead in the ILCA 7 for the fifth day in a row.

With the end of the regatta in sight, Reineke weaponized her consistency throughout the event and made a move on regatta leader, Charlotte Rose. Since all competitors drop their worst score now that eight races are complete, Rose began today with yesterday’s 20th score removed from her score line. However, Reineke’s worst score was only a fifth place, so she played the game of tactics and sailed aggressively to add another high point score to Rose’s results. 

Off the starting line in the day’s final race, Reineke stayed on top of Rose and matched her movements as they went to the left side of the course together. A right shift came through the fleet and the two wound up deep in the pack without an opportunity to climb back. 

After Race 12, each sailor will have two dropped scores; if Rose sails consistently for the rest of the regatta, the 20th and 19th will disappear from her net score. Reineke is now in first place with her 18th serving as her one drop. 

Christina Sakellaris has consistently advanced up the leaderboard after starting the regatta in sixth overall and now sits in second after fourth and sixth place finishes today.  

After another top three day, Ford McCann retains his hold on the ILCA 7 fleet, winning race nine and coming third in race 10. Leo Boucher had a consistent day, finishing with two seconds and stepping into second overall. Chapman Petersen triumphed in the final race of the day with a 38 second lead, moving up to third overall from fifth.  

2023 Youth Worlds ILCA 6 representative Audrey Foley ended the day on a high note, catching a big left shift to win her first race of the regatta by over a minute. 

Both fleets will get a reprieve from racing tomorrow with a lay day. Two races are scheduled for both Friday and Saturday, which will bring the scoresheet to 14 total with the second drop race coming into play after race 12 on Friday. 

Top 5 in each class after day five: 

      • ILCA 6 – Erika Reineke (23), Christina Sakellaris (26), Charlotte Rose (32), Lilly Myers (44), Audrey Foley (49)
      • ILCA 7 – Ford McCann (17), Leo Boucher (29), Chapman Petersen (32), Daniel Escudero (41), Marshall McCann (44)

DAY 4 OF 8 UPDATE

MIAMI, FLORIDA (20 February 2024) – It’s a game of Texas Hold ‘Em as Texas natives Charlotte Rose and Ford McCann hold down their leads for a fourth day in a row in challenging conditions at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Sailing. 

A dying and shifting north-northwest breeze tested competitors’ patience and mental stamina during a long day four of eight on the water where Race Committee logged the four scheduled races. 

With a race win each today, Erika Reineke and Christina Sakellaris both made progress closing their gaps with ILCA 6 leader Charlotte Rose, now with two points separating all three competitors. Lilly Myers remains in fourth, and Audrey Foley moved into fifth place from seventh the day before. 

Ford McCann pulled ahead of his brother, Marshall McCann, by an extra five points today in the ILCA 7 fleet, and Leo Boucher moved up to tie for second with Marshall. Daniel Escudero is back in the mix with two very consistent second place finishes today, moving from sixth overall to fourth and a point away from the podium. Chapman Petersen rounds out a tight top five after winning the first race of the day and nudged 2011 Pan American Games ILCA 7 representative, Clay Johnson, into sixth. 

Race Committee decided to trade the scheduled reserve day for day six rather than day five as Wednesday is forecasted to provide better conditions tomorrow. Competitors will return to Miami Yacht Club for more racing starting with ILCA 7s at 1100 ET. 

Top 5 in each class after day four: 

      • ILCA 6 – Charlotte Rose (12), Erika Reineke (14), Christina Sakellaris (16), Lilly Myers (32), Audrey Foley (46) 
      • ILCA 7 – Ford McCann (17), Marshall McCann (25), Leo Boucher (25), Daniel Escudero (26), Chapman Petersen (28) 

DAY 3 OF 8 UPDATE

MIAMI, FLORIDA (19 February 2024) – Dark and stormy gave way to bright and shifty for day three of U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Sailing. Gale force winds held competitors ashore in the morning, but race committee fired the horn for the first start at 1300. PRO Tom Duggan and his team from across the country and Coconut Grove Sailing Club caught up on racing, running three races rather than the usual two. 

Large ocean swell left over from yesterday’s storms paired with a 10-15 knot northwest shore breeze made for challenging conditions for competitors. Leaders in the ILCA 6 and 7 adapted quickly, keeping a hold of their respective fleets.  

In the ILCA 6, Charlotte Rose won two of today’s three races to extend her lead on second place Erika Reineke, now separated by five points. Christina Sakellaris capitalized on the day, moving up to third from fourth overall and seven points away from Reineke. 

Marshall McCann and Leo Boucher briefly tied for first place today after ILCA 7 race five, but Ford McCann returned to the lead after race six to hold first for a third day in a row. Marshall and Leo are in close pursuit with 19 and 21 points, respectively, to Ford’s 16. 

Day four tomorrow will welcome competitors for a first warning at 1100, and both fleets are on track for a reserve day on Wednesday, February 21 for a much-needed day off in a long regatta. 

Top 5 in each class after day three: 

      • ILCA 6 – Charlotte Rose (9), Erika Reineke (14), Christina Sakellaris (21), Lilly Myers (23), Hallie Schiffman (39) 
      • ILCA 7 – Ford McCann (16), Marshall McCann (19), Leo Boucher (21), Chapman Petersen (27), Clay Johnson (30) 

DAY 2 OF 8 UPDATE

MIAMI, FLORIDA (18 February 2024) – Day two was not for the faint of heart out on the Atlantic Ocean for the ILCA 6s and 7s at U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Sailing. First a waiting game required athletes to stay mentally engaged as the wind threw some heavy shifts and caused a number of postponements and abandonments, then it was go time for one race in each fleet. 

The breeze started in the teens and ratcheted up to 20-30 knots, with gusts reaching over 30 as the ILCA 7 fleet rounded their first windward mark. Miami’s Ernesto Rodriguez leading the charge of 36 boats, flying through the torrential downpour and around the top mark. 

Marshall McCann won the day’s epic race and moved to just two points in the overall standings behind his identical twin brother, Ford McCann, who still holds the lead. Daniel Escudero is in a close third, tied with Marshall McCann with nine points. Leo Boucher is in fourth with 11 points, followed by Chapman Petersen with 16 points. 

In the ILCA 6, Charlotte Rose capitalized on her specialty in the big breeze, winning the day’s race and breaking her tie with Erika Reineke, pulling ahead by two points. The two are followed by Lilly Myers in third, Christina Sakellaris in fourth – up from sixth overall on day one – and Hallie Schiffman in fifth. 

Points are tight in both fleets and with plenty of races left to go it’s still anyone’s game. 

Top 5 in each class after day two: 

      • ILCA 6 – Charlotte Rose (4), Erika Reineke (6), Lilly Myers (12), Christina Sakellaris (14), Hallie Schiffman (14) 
      • ILCA 7 – Ford McCann (7), Marshall McCann (9), Daniel Escudero (9), Leo Boucher (11), Chapman Petersen (16) 

 

DAY 1 OF 8 UPDATE

 

MIAMI, FLORIDA (17 February 2024) – The first day of the U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Sailing opened with two races in each class in moderate 8 to 12 knot breeze. Race committee from Coconut Grove Sailing Club and PRO Tom Duggan got races off on time and efficiently and competitors headed to shore around 1430 for an early end to day one in a marathon event. 

In the ILCA 6 fleet, Erika Reineke and Charlotte Rose traded race wins and leads, with Reineke winning the opening race of the day by 60 seconds and Rose taking the second race by 45 seconds. Also tied just behind Reineke and Rose are Lilly Myers and Hallie Schiffman, both with eight points each. There is a spot at the Paris 2024 Olympics on the line in the ILCA 6 fleet, with the US women having already achieved country qualification back in 2023 in the Netherlands at the Sailing World Championships. 

Houston, Texas’s Ford McCann started the ILCA 7 event swinging, winning both of today’s races with almost a minute to spare. Rounding out the day one podium is Daniel Escudero with five points and Marshall McCann with eight. At these Trials, one ILCA 7 will achieve athlete selection, but the class still requires a USA country qualification to confirm participation at the Paris Games with the final opportunity coming up in Hyéres, France April 20-27; the “Last Chance Regatta.” 

Two more races in each fleet are scheduled for day two tomorrow with a start time of 1200 ET. 

Top 5 in each class after day one: 

      • ILCA 6 – Charlotte Rose (3), Erika Reineke (3), Lilly Myers (8), Hallie Schiffman (8), Izabella Mendoza Cabezas (11) 
      • ILCA 7 – Ford McCann (2), Daniel Escudero (5), Marshall McCann (8), Leo Boucher (9), Chapman Petersen (10) 

EVENT PREVIEW

MIAMI, FLORIDA (12 February 2024) – The second edition of U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Sailing will take place out of Miami Yacht Club for two of the nation’s most popular classes: the ILCA 6 (formerly “Laser Radial”) and ILCA 7 (formerly “Laser Standard”). 62 athletes will take to the Atlantic Ocean from February 17-24, for the most important qualifying regatta on their path to the Olympic Games Paris 2024.

“Miami Yacht Club and the City of Miami are excited to welcome back US Sailing and the USOPC to our beautiful Biscayne Bay Campus for the second round of Olympic Trials,” said Miami Yacht Club Commodore, Mark Ingraham. “The regatta will be tight racing action with athletes vying to represent Team USA this summer.” 

On February 24, following the competition and confirmation of the winners of the second set of 2024 US Olympic Team Trials – Sailing, US Sailing will announce its nominations for Team USA in two of the ten Olympic sailing classes. 

“This high-pressure format is intended to truly test the athletes and make sure the strongest are nominated, and US Sailing is excited to get competition underway for the ILCA 6s and 7s,” said Event Chair and Barcelona 1992 Bronze Medalist, Pamela Healy. “In partnership with Miami Yacht Club and the Race Management Team of Coconut Grove Sailing Club, we’re proud to host a highly competitive domestic Trials for the first time since 2008. With a volunteer team of over 40, we are grateful for the commitment, planning, and time these dedicated people have put into running this event for two classes that have grown in depth and excitement for Olympic sailing in the United States.” 

February U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Sailing by the numbers: 

      • 37 ILCA 7 Athletes 
      • 25 ILCA 6 Athletes 
      • 62 Athletes Total

How do these Trials play into athletes punching their tickets to the Paris 2024 Games and the sailing competition held in Marseille this summer? 

Representing Team USA in Sailing at an Olympic Games consists of two parts: a “country qualification” in each of the 10 disciplines or “classes,” and “athlete selection” to decide who fills the earned spot in each class. 

To qualify the country in each class, any American athlete must place high enough at pre-determined qualifying regattas in the year leading up to the Olympic Games to “qualify their country” for a spot in their class at the Games.  

As of December 31, 2023, the USA has qualified in 6 of the 10 classes: 49erFX, 49er, ILCA 6, Women’s iQFOiL, Nacra 17, and Women’s Formula Kite. Throughout early 2024, the USA will work to earn the final four qualifications in the Mixed 470, Men’s Formula Kite, Men’s iQFOiL, and ILCA 7 classes. You can find more information regarding the country qualification system here. 

The Trials events happening in January and February in Miami serve as the “athlete selection” for those classes. The athletes that win these regattas in the classes that have already earned country qualification will immediately earn their ticket to represent Team USA in Marseille this summer. Athletes in classes that do not yet have country qualification will earn selection but will still need to work together to qualify the country to complete the second of their two-part process. 

Which classes fall into which category at the February Trials? 

      • The winner of the ILCA 6 class will earn their spot at Paris 2024 
      • The winner of the ILCA 7 class still requires a USA country qualification to confirm participation at the Paris Games 

Schedule 

      • February 15 – Check-in and Measurement at Miami Yacht Club 
      • February 16 – Check-in, Measurement, Practice Race, Competitors Welcome, Briefing 
      • February 17-20 – 1200 Racing 
      • February 21 – Reserve Day 
      • February 22-24 – 1200 Racing 

How to follow: 

For media inquiries: Allison Chenard, US Sailing Team Media & Communications – allisonchenard@ussailing.org, +1 (401) 342-7962