FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MIAMI, Fla. (February 3rd, 2019) – The 2019 Hempel World Cup Series Miami came to a close this afternoon as the final medal races concluded. Representing the U.S., athletes Luke Muller (Fort Pierce, Fla.) and Paige Railey (Clearwater, Fla.) clinched bronze and silver medals respectively during their medal races at the 2019 Hempel World Cup Series Miami.
In the Finn class, Muller began the race leading the pack but fell to the back of the fleet after taking some penalty turns on the first windward leg. Making a significant recovery, Muller was able to finish the race in fourth, earning him the bronze.
Muller’s sister, Meredith Brody, is the Olympic Director at US Sailing and was the Regatta Chair for the event. Brody had the opportunity to place Muller’s first World Cup medal around her brother’s neck. “I am so incredibly ecstatic and proud of Luke. I’ve watched him from an Opti sailor, to a Laser sailor, to a Finn sailor, and now not only a Finn Sailor, but a World Cup podium athlete,” said Brody.
Railey started the day securely on the podium, sitting in second with thirteen points between her and the competitors both ahead and behind her. She held her position and finished the race with a claim to the silver medal in the Radial class. As the highest placing U.S. athlete, Paige also won the Golden Torch Award.
Twelve other U.S. athletes also made medal race appearances. Finishing shy of the podium, yet still proudly in the top 10 were: Charlie Buckingham (4th, Laser), Erika Reineke (6th, Laser Radial), Stu McNay and Dave Hughes (4th, Men’s 470), Atlantic Brugman and Nora Brugman (9th, Women’s 470), Bora Gulari and Louisa Chafee (8th, Nacra 17), Sarah Newberry and David Liebenberg (10th, Nacra 17), and Stephanie Roble and Maggie Shea (9th, 49erFX).
View full results here.
Learn more about the 2019 Hempel World Cup Series Miami.
About the US Sailing Team
The US Sailing Team is managed by the United States Sailing Association (US Sailing), the national governing body for the sport of sailing and sailboat racing. US Sailing names the top Olympic class athletes to the team annually, through both event qualification and at the discretion of team leadership. US Sailing helps these elite athletes with financial, logistical, coaching, technical, fitness, marketing, and communications support. US Sailing Team sponsors include partners Helly Hansen, Harken, McLube, and Groupe Beneteau, and Marlow Ropes. For more information, please visit www.ussailing.org/olympics.
About US Sailing
The United States Sailing Association (US Sailing), the national governing body for sailing, provides leadership, integrity, and advancement for the sport in the United States. Founded in 1897 and headquartered in Bristol, 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. For more information, please visit www.ussailing.org.