Pan Am Games, Worlds, and Test Event Selection Culminate in Clearwater

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CLEARWATER, FLORIDA (January 31, 2023) – The final stop of the Florida US Open Sailing Series will be contested February 2 – 5, in Clearwater, Florida. Hosted by Sail Life, Clearwater Community Sailing and presented by Bay Stay Restaurant Group, the event will feature eight Olympic classes: the 49er, Men’s iQFOiL, Women’s iQFOiL, ILCA 6, ILCA 7, Men’s Formula Kite and Women’s Formula Kite, and 470 Mixed.

The US Open Sailing Series is a set of six Olympic class regattas at popular sailing venues across Florida and California. The Series serves as a domestic Olympic training platform and provides solid annual racing opportunities for prospective Olympic athletes.

Over 200 athletes from 30 countries and territories will be competing in Clearwater, with the Formula Kite class representing the largest international contingent. Athletes include Olympians, World and National Champions, and Olympic hopefuls, each vying for a spot at the 2023 Pan Am Games in Santiago, Chile and the combined 2023 Allianz Sailing World Championship in The Hague, Netherlands. Also on the line is individual selection for the 2023 Olympic Test Event. 

Athletes earn a ticket to Paris 2024 based on two factors: 

  • Country Qualification: At both the 2023 Pan Am Games and 2023 Allianz Sailing World Championships, sailors have an opportunity to earn their country a berth for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. 
  • Athlete Selection: If USA athletes place on the podium (top 3) at the Test Event, they will achieve “early selection” and will be nominated to represent Team USA at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Read more on the full selection procedures, including further Late Selection, here.  

“The US Open series is growing in numbers and depth of talent. 200 athletes from 30 nations make a significant Olympic Sailing competition and a huge opportunity for American sailors,” said Paul Cayard, Executive Director of US Olympic Sailing. “Our USA athletes are focused on qualifying for three important events this year: the Olympic Test Event in Marseilles, the World Championship in The Hague, and the Pan American Games in Chile. North and South American countries have also chosen to use our Clearwater US Open as their qualifier for the Pan American games, in Santiago Chile, later this year.”

Fresh off her sixth World Championship win and first place at the Miami US Open Sailing Series event, Daniela Moroz has her sights set on qualification for the Olympic Test Event, where she could secure selection for her spot on Team USA. 

“My peak event this year is the Olympic Test Event in Marseille, so the Clearwater US Open is an important step to qualify for that,” said Moroz. “This year’s US Open Series has been great training because we’ve been able to attract international kiters to Miami and Clearwater. It’s a good way to check in with my racing skills because there haven’t been any events since the World Championship in October.” 

Prize money will be awarded to top three finishers in all Olympic disciplines: 470 Mixed, Men’s and Women’s Formula Kite, 49er, Men’s and Women’s iQFoil, ILCA 6 and ILCA 7. First place in each class will receive $1,000 cash, second place $500, and third place $250.  

US Sailing would like to thank Organizing Authority Tampa Bay Charities and National Sponsors Gill Marine and New England Ropes.