DATE: January 27th, 2014
Daily Summary: The opening races of ISAF Sailing World Cup Miami have been completed in warm but light-air conditions on the waters of Biscayne Bay. This year marks the 25th edition of what has become a cornerstone event on the international Olympic and Paralympic sailing circuit. The regatta also holds particular importance for the US Sailing Team Sperry Top-Sider, the US national team, as it serves as part of the team’s athlete selection process.
US Racing Highlights:
Laser Radial (Women) – Veteran athlete Paige Railey (Clearwater, Fla.), coming off a strong 2013 season in which she medaled at all major regattas she competed in, leads the Laser Radial fleet with finishes of 2nd and 1st. Railey comes into this event as the defending champion, and shows no sign of wanting to relinquish her title. Hanne Weaver (Gig Harbor, Wash.) also delivered a strong performance, scoring a 10th and 3rd, for fourth overall.
Sonar (Mixed): The American Sonar team of Rick Doerr (Clifton, N.J) Tim Angle (Reading, Mass.) and Hugh Freund (Brookline, Mass.) demonstrated strong speed and resiliency in the light breeze, winning both races. “The communication on our boat was the key to our success today,” noted bowman Freund. “Even when we had a poor second start, the team kept their heads together and worked to grind down the leaders over 3 legs.”
470 (Men): Despite a strong field of international competitors in this class, and a busy schedule prior to the event, the American team of two-time Olympian Stu McNay (Providence, R.I.) and Dave Hughes (Miami, Fla.) came ready to perform. Scoring 2nd in both races, the duo will enter day two in 2nd overall. McNay noted that “We hope to continue to come out of the blocks strong. You never know what the wind gods will deal you out there, but I think we certainly have an ability to start an event, and will continue to work on closing out strong as well.” For a full interview with Stu McNay: http://bit.ly/1lilxkA
The second US boat after two races was the new team of Adam Roberts (San Francisco, Calif.) and Erik Storck (San Francisco, Calif.). Both athletes came into the event with significant racing experience in Olympic classes, as Roberts finished 2nd in the 2012 470 U.S. Olympic Trials, and Storck represented the United States in London in the 49er class.
49er (Men): The men’s 49er skiff class featured strong performances by relatively new US teams. Brad Funk (Miami, Fla.) and Trevor Burd (Marblehead, Mass.) sit in 3rd place overall after scoring 13th and 2nd in the opening races, followed closely by Thomas Barrows (St. Thomas, V.I.) and Joe Morris (Annapolis, Md.) who are in 5th after finishes of 21st and 3rd on the day.
Laser (Men): Erik Bowers (Excelsior, Minn.) turned heads around the fleet with a very consistent 4th and 2nd in the opening races, leaving him tied for 4th overall. After putting in significant amounts of domestic and international training and racing time in 2013, the Minnesota native looks to have a breakthrough event in the Laser class.
Charlie Buckingham (Newport Beach, Calif.) came into the regatta looking to add another strong performance in Miami to his Sailing World Cup resumé, having finished 7th and 3rd at this event in the past two years. Buckingham finished with a 5th and 3rd on the day, good enough for 8th overall. Buckingham noted that “I felt good with the speed all day, and I’m happy with the performance.”
Finn (Men): Finn veteran Luke Lawrence (Palm City, Fla.) enjoyed a strong first day and showed consistent speed in the light conditions. The ISAF Youth Worlds medalist (Silver, 2008) and Finn Junior World Champion (2010) finished 5th and 3rd, putting him in 4th overall in the 37-strong fleet.
More content:
Raul Lopez, RS:X (US Sailing Team Sperry Top-Sider) recaps day 1, and talks about the challenges of racing a board in light air: http://bit.ly/1dJMgfN
ISAF Sailing World Cup Miami Report, Day 1: http://bit.ly/1jCHGbv
Daily Photo Gallery: http://on.fb.me/LhNAAu
About US Sailing Team Sperry Top-Sider
The US Sailing Team Sperry Top-Sider 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 Top-Sider. US Sailing supports these elite athletes with funding, coaching and training. The title sponsor of the team is Sperry Top-Sider; other sponsors include Harken Team McLube. Oakcliff Sailing is an official training center.
Press Contact: Will Ricketson, Olympic Communications Manager, 401-683-0800 x621, willricketson@ussailing.org
For press use of photos, please email Will Ricketson.