Rio Olympic Test Event (Sailing): USA Takes Lead in Men’s 470, Maintains in Women’s 470, Radial

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Pictured: Stuart McNay (Providence, R.I.) and David Hughes (Miami, Fla.), Regatta Leaders, Men’s 470.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 17, 2015

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – Day Three of racing at the 2015 Olympic Test Event brought light winds on all courses along with solid scores for the US Sailing Team Sperry. American sailors achieved single-digit finishes in the Men’s 470, Women’s 470, Finn, 49er, Laser and Laser Radial, and as a team continued to rely on their extensive preparation as they race at the 2016 Olympic venue.

Stuart McNay (Providence, R.I.) and David Hughes (Miami, Fla.) opened their day with a victory in the first race, followed by a 9th. This was good enough to move the pair into the overall lead in the Men’s 470.“We’re feeling good. There are always opportunities to be better,” said McNay. “Luckily the results thus far have taken care of themselves.” McNay and Hughes have been on a hot streak, having won major events such as ISAF Sailing World Cup Weymouth and the 470 Europeans. McNay attributed that success to a steady approach, combined with patience. “This is a class where you have to pay your dues. There is a lot of nuance with the tuning, and the different modes available, but theres always the opportunity to improve your tactics and strategy. The 470 is a fascinating class to sail, especially in a place like Rio.”

Annie Haeger (East Troy, Wisc.) and Briana Provancha (San Diego, Calif.) successfully defended their 2nd place overall position on Day 3 with a solid 3,6 scoreline. “It was very different from yesterday. We were on the inside course, so it was a current-driven race [day],” said Haeger. “The coaches were the real MVPs today. We had a solid game plan every race, and executed.” Provancha added that a balanced approach to training on both the open-ocean and inner-harbor courses has been beneficial. “We’ve spent a lot of time down here, and worked hard in the practice races to be able to form a game plan and get our communication on point. The plan is working. We are doing what we’ve been practicing, but we have a long way to go until next Summer. Everyone [in the fleet] is racing well, so we’re trying to minimize mistakes.”
Paige Railey (Clearwater, Fla.) looked to be in for a tough day when she rounded the first windward mark deep in the fleet in today’s sole Laser Radial race, but she managed to climb back up to 8th place. The comeback was enough to preserve her 2nd place overall position. “I had a mediocre start, and both sides [of the fleet] passed me [upwind], but I fought back.” said the 2012 Olympian. “Conditions in Rio are always changing, and that means there’s always opportunities to pass. Today we actually had two different breeze directions and two separate areas of current on our course, so if you figured that out, you could make gains.”

Pictured: Paige Railey (Clearwater, Fla.), Laser Radial.

Additional standout scores on Day 3 were provided by multiple US Sailing Team Sperry athletes. Caleb Paine (San Diego, Calif.) notched an 8th in the only Finn race, while Laser athlete Charlie Buckingham (Newport Beach, Calif.) added a 5th. the 49er team of Brad Funk (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.) and Trevor Burd (Marblehead, Mass.) recorded a 2nd in Race Five.

Racing continues at the Aquece Rio International Sailing Regatta 2015 (Olympic Test Event) on Tuesday, August 18. The event will conclude with medal races for the top competitors in each fleet from August 20-22.

2015 Olympic Test Event, USA Results:

Full Results

Men’s 470 (Men’s Two-Person Dinghy):


  • 1st overall, Stuart McNay (Providence, R.I.) and David Hughes (Miami, Fla.)

Laser Radial (Women’s One-Person Dinghy):


  • 2nd overall, Paige Railey (Clearwater, Fla.)

Women’s 470 (Women’s Two-Person Dinghy):


  • 2nd overall, Annie Haeger (East Troy, Wisc.) and Briana Provancha (San Diego, Calif.)

Laser (Men’s One-Person Dinghy):


  • 11th overall, Charlie Buckingham (Newport Beach, Calif.)

Finn (Men’s One-Person Heavyweight Dinghy):


  • 14th overall, Caleb Paine (San Diego, Calif.)

Nacra 17 (Mixed Two-Person Multihull):

  • 15th overall, Sarah Newberry (Miami, Fla.) and Matthew Whitehead (Panama City, Fla.)

49erFX (Women’s Two-Person High Performance Skiff):

  • 17th overall, Paris Henken (Coronado, Calif.) and Helena Scutt (Kirkland, Wash.)

49er (Men’s Two-Person High Performance Skiff):

  • 17th overall, Brad Funk (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) and Trevor Burd (Marblehead, Mass.)

Women’s RS:X (Women’s Board):


  • 18th overall, Farrah Hall (Annapolis, Md.)

Men’s RS:X (Men’s Board):


  • 24th overall, Carson Crain (Houston, Texas)

The Medalist Newsletter: US Olympic and Paralympic Sailing News

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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 and the Gowrie Group sponsor 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

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Contact: Will Ricketson, Olympic Communications Manager, US Sailing. willricketson@ussailing.org, +1 (978) 697-2384.