Pictured: Stuart McNay (Providence, R.I.) and David Hughes (Miami, Fla.), US Sailing Team Sperry. Photo: Sailing Energy.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 1, 2015
Portsmouth, R.I. – For the second consecutive year, the US Sailing Team Sperry’s Stuart McNay (Providence, R.I.) and David Hughes (Miami, Fla.) have won bronze at the ISAF Sailing World Cup Final in Abu Dhabi, U.A.E. This latest podium finish at a top Olympic-classes regatta continues an impressive string of results for the pair in 2015, highlighted by victories at ISAF Sailing World Cup Weymouth and Portland and the 470 European Championships. In Abu Dhabi, the Americans finished behind winners Mathew Belcher and William Ryan of Australia, and Anton Dahlberg and Fredrik Bergström of Sweden.
“We are excited by another podium finish at the Sailing World Cup Final,” said Hughes. “Of course, we are always looking for more. At various stages of today’s medal race we were winning the event overall based on how the fleet was positioned, so the racing remained tight until the very end. We had awesome competition here, and as a sailor that’s all you can ask for.”
Coached by 470 Olympic medalist and 2014 US Sailing National Coach of the Year Morgan Reeser (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.), McNay and Hughes battled through adversity during the event. This included an unlucky equipment breakdown during race four, which the Americans were leading. “The breakdown set us back a bit, as that instantly became our drop race,” said Hughes. Nevertheless, the veteran teammates continued to compete at the front of the fleet. “This medal, added to our wins this year, has made 2015 truly successful. However, our real goal is to answer with our career-best year in 2016,” said Hughes.
Men’s 470 Medal Ceremony in Abu Dhabi.
Two-time Olympian McNay noted that the event, which brought together a select group of the top international Olympic sailing fleet, provided unique opportunities. “Small-fleet racing, like we had in Abu Dhabi, is a very important skill. The fleet size at the Olympic Games is also fairly small, so this was similar in that respect and provided good practice. Also, a key part of winning a medal in the olympics is sealing the deal in the final medal race itself. For the medal race at this event, we entered in podium position and finished on the podium, so it was ‘mission accomplished’ in that sense.”
McNay also noted that their performance in Abu Dhabi was special on a personal level, as well as professional. “This was my first medal as a new father, and hopefully will be part of a string of many more to come!”
The other American athlete competing in Abu Dhabi was Laser sailor Charlie Buckingham (Newport Beach, Calif.), who’s most recent result coming into the event was a 7th place finish at August’s Olympic Test Event in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In Abu Dhabi, Buckingham finished in 13th overall. “It was an up and down week for me, but it was good to get a regatta under the belt as I continue to prepare for the upcoming year,” said Buckingham.
Racing at the 2015 ISAF Sailing World Cup Final took place from October 29 through November 1, 2015.
Charlie Buckingham, Laser. Photo: Jesus Renedo/Sailing Energy.
2015 ISAF Sailing World Cup Final, USA Results:
Men’s 470 (Men’s Two-Person Dinghy):
- 3rd overall, Stuart McNay (Providence, R.I.) and David Hughes (Miami, Fla.)
Laser (Men’s One-Person Dinghy):
- 13th overall, Charlie Buckingham (Newport Beach, Calif.)
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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.